Depth sounder transducer instalation

[Don K.]

I have heard of ways to install the transducer without putting a hole in the bottom of the boat such as epoxy it to the hull or mount in a water or oil box. Do these ideas work? If not,where is the best place and distance from the drop keel.

 

[Don]

Check out WM

WM has an advisor section on their web site. they have a good description of how to install the puck on the inside of the hullDonIllusion

 

[Peter]

Near the centerline just forward of the keel

First, make absolutely sure sure your hull is solid laminate and not cored. Otherwise, a through-hull or transom-mount are your only options. The recommended location will remain submerged even when the boat is heeled or when the bow gets airborne in waves.Go to your local hardware store and get a PVC pipe connector that's larger in diameter than the transducer. Cut the excess length off as needed. Sand the area on the inside of the hull a bit to roughen it and improve bond. Clean up with alcohol or acetone.Fasten the PVC tube to the inside of the hull using a ring of epoxy putty or silicone sealant. When the seal sets, check for leaks using a little alcohol (it will dry up by itself). Reseal as needed. Then fill the PVC tube part way with epoxy like West System or Epiglass. It should have the consistency of motor oil or pancake syrup and a working time of 20 to 30 minutes. (if you're not sure, mix a trial batch first and see how long it takes to "kick").When all the air bubbles have risen to the surface, insert the transducer. Support it so it points straight down and doesn't quite touch the hull. Make sure the face of the transducer is fully immersed and that no air bubbles are trapped underneath. There is no need to fill the tube with epoxy. It's done...go have a cold beer.PeterH23 "Raven"

 

[Peter]

silicone or wax

The previous post from Peter is what I believe to be the correct way to instal the shoot thru hull transducer. That being said, I tested the locations in the hull with a zip lock bag full of water and putting the transducer over until I got good readings. I then "temporarily" installed (two years ago) the transducer by imbedding it a big glob of silicone, works great. My neighbour "temporarily" instaled his transducer by imbedding it in wax from the toilet bowl. As you can see, you don't necessarily have to use epoxy. And if you find you didn't quite like the location you can just move it.

 

[Del Wiese]

my experience

I installed a transom mount transducer on a boat once by using silicon to "glue" it to a flat horizontal portion of the hull aft of the keel. Worked great! May have given up a bit of deep water sensitivity but living in Florida and cruising Bahamas, I want to know when it's less than 10 feet (and often it is) versus 500 feet.

 

[Bob Camarena]

Toilet Bowl Wax Works for Me

I used toilet bowl wax as a temporary solution about 4 years ago and it's still working fine! Try it.