I am in the process of purchasing a Garmin plotter/sounder for my Hunter 23. I would like to know the best location for the depth transponder. Thru-hull, in hull or transon. I would greatly appreciate some feedback on this. Thanks, Slide/Orlando
Garmin Transponder mounting
- Thread starter slidewhiz
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Transducer
slidewhiz, I recently installed a new Garming 498 in my 37. I strongly believe in as few holes in the hull as is possible. I epoxied the transducer in the bottom of the hull, and it works very well. If you have a newer boat, with a composite hull this may not be possible. It will work well through solid glass, as long as there are no air bubbles. To find out, easiest way I know is to put the transducer in a baggie of water, sit it down in the hull and see what happens. With this method you can move it around and see where you get the best results in various locations. Some use various materials to put mount the transducer, and you will more than likely get some other opinions. I used Marine Tex to mount mine.
slidewhiz, I recently installed a new Garming 498 in my 37. I strongly believe in as few holes in the hull as is possible. I epoxied the transducer in the bottom of the hull, and it works very well. If you have a newer boat, with a composite hull this may not be possible. It will work well through solid glass, as long as there are no air bubbles. To find out, easiest way I know is to put the transducer in a baggie of water, sit it down in the hull and see what happens. With this method you can move it around and see where you get the best results in various locations. Some use various materials to put mount the transducer, and you will more than likely get some other opinions. I used Marine Tex to mount mine.
install
I mounted my in a thru hull but I was lucky and the hole was already there. I have never heard of the baggy of water trick but it sounds like it would work to me. I have seen guys use peanut butter and modlers clay and it works very well to see if you get a picture thru the hull. My only real concern about using epoxy to bond it to the hull is if it goes bad like mine did in three months. On the other hand I had to pull my boat to replace it where if it was epoxied in you would save the cost of the haul out
I mounted my in a thru hull but I was lucky and the hole was already there. I have never heard of the baggy of water trick but it sounds like it would work to me. I have seen guys use peanut butter and modlers clay and it works very well to see if you get a picture thru the hull. My only real concern about using epoxy to bond it to the hull is if it goes bad like mine did in three months. On the other hand I had to pull my boat to replace it where if it was epoxied in you would save the cost of the haul out
Transponder Baggie Test
Thanks much for your response. My boat is a Hunter 23 1986. I guess the hull would be solid glass. I will try the baggie test. Happy sailing! Slide
Thanks much for your response. My boat is a Hunter 23 1986. I guess the hull would be solid glass. I will try the baggie test. Happy sailing! Slide
You might also try the archives here.
This topic comes up very often, and there is lots of information in the archives.
This topic comes up very often, and there is lots of information in the archives.
interesting solution
is to fabricate a pvc reducer to fit the shape of the hull, then glue in a piece of pvc pipe to the reducer then glue the transducer to the pvc pipe. The pvc pipe must be vertical to ensure correct reading. Before gluing the transducer to the pvc pipe you need to drill a hole which angles into the pvc pipe at the top. After you glue the transducer you fill the pipe with 50/50 water/antifreeze and plug it off with a with a rubber stopper. You use silicone sealant for all of the attachments. If you find a better place to put it later no problem, silicone is easy to work with. Some fiberglas construction utilizes panels imbedded in the glass such as honeycomb, plywood, balsa wood among others, but the transducer must be reading through solid fiberglass. Even a solid laminate may have air bubbles trapped during the layup of the hull which is not good, but not uncommon.
is to fabricate a pvc reducer to fit the shape of the hull, then glue in a piece of pvc pipe to the reducer then glue the transducer to the pvc pipe. The pvc pipe must be vertical to ensure correct reading. Before gluing the transducer to the pvc pipe you need to drill a hole which angles into the pvc pipe at the top. After you glue the transducer you fill the pipe with 50/50 water/antifreeze and plug it off with a with a rubber stopper. You use silicone sealant for all of the attachments. If you find a better place to put it later no problem, silicone is easy to work with. Some fiberglas construction utilizes panels imbedded in the glass such as honeycomb, plywood, balsa wood among others, but the transducer must be reading through solid fiberglass. Even a solid laminate may have air bubbles trapped during the layup of the hull which is not good, but not uncommon.
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