Am planning to mount a transducer to the transom but how do I make sure it is below water line and not foul the rudder?
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Transducer Mounting
I have been placing my transducer for my depth sounders for the last several boats I have owned inside the hull and shoot through the hull. I feel the fewer holes in the hull the better. I found a clear spot forward below the water line and cleaned it up, then used ultrasonic gel to couple it to the hull. You can epoxy them to the hull or I have heard of people using Vaseline as a coupling compound. I have had no problems with shooting through the hull the several boats I have done. Several of my friends shoot through the hull with no problems also. Just another alternative to drilling holes in your hull. Fair winds, Gerry
I have been placing my transducer for my depth sounders for the last several boats I have owned inside the hull and shoot through the hull. I feel the fewer holes in the hull the better. I found a clear spot forward below the water line and cleaned it up, then used ultrasonic gel to couple it to the hull. You can epoxy them to the hull or I have heard of people using Vaseline as a coupling compound. I have had no problems with shooting through the hull the several boats I have done. Several of my friends shoot through the hull with no problems also. Just another alternative to drilling holes in your hull. Fair winds, Gerry
Thanks Gerry
Much obliged. Incidentally I got 48 views but you were the one to help. I agree about the holes in the hull. But please help about the location. I have only so much wire to reach to my control unit and don't know what a "clear" spot would look like in the bilge. Do I mount forward of the centerboard? Any help you can give would be appreciated. John
Much obliged. Incidentally I got 48 views but you were the one to help. I agree about the holes in the hull. But please help about the location. I have only so much wire to reach to my control unit and don't know what a "clear" spot would look like in the bilge. Do I mount forward of the centerboard? Any help you can give would be appreciated. John
location
you want a place that will allow as straight down look as possible, ahead of center board would be the best place, but as many of us just sail till we drag, placement isn't as important as it would be with a fixed keel. you may have to cut a hole in the inner hull floor to reach hull, or just find a place that is relative flat and mount it. just remember the angle of mount will alter depth reading some. o'day did not plan for these things.
you want a place that will allow as straight down look as possible, ahead of center board would be the best place, but as many of us just sail till we drag, placement isn't as important as it would be with a fixed keel. you may have to cut a hole in the inner hull floor to reach hull, or just find a place that is relative flat and mount it. just remember the angle of mount will alter depth reading some. o'day did not plan for these things.
holes are NOT bad.....
I've said this over a dozen times to different people....there are "good" holes in boats and "bad" holes in boats. The bad holes make your boat sink, the good ones give you depth, speed, water intake, poo-poo disposal (offshore of course) and probably a few other things. To mount your depth at the transom will only tell you how deep the water was AFTER you ran aground!!!! And the turbulance off your stern will skew the readings as well. Drilling the proper size n hole for the transducer is as safe as anything done on the boat. The lip of the transducer is bonded to the bottem of the hull with 5200 and a gasket and LARGE screw keeps the puck there...almost forever. It took me hours to pry off an old depth transducer last year on my boat. I work as a sail tech for Beneteau and I can tell you that there are over 9 holes in the hull ...below the water line!!! Don't be afraid. It is safe. (and the transducers are cheaper and more reliabale as well ) Regards, Mike C.
I've said this over a dozen times to different people....there are "good" holes in boats and "bad" holes in boats. The bad holes make your boat sink, the good ones give you depth, speed, water intake, poo-poo disposal (offshore of course) and probably a few other things. To mount your depth at the transom will only tell you how deep the water was AFTER you ran aground!!!! And the turbulance off your stern will skew the readings as well. Drilling the proper size n hole for the transducer is as safe as anything done on the boat. The lip of the transducer is bonded to the bottem of the hull with 5200 and a gasket and LARGE screw keeps the puck there...almost forever. It took me hours to pry off an old depth transducer last year on my boat. I work as a sail tech for Beneteau and I can tell you that there are over 9 holes in the hull ...below the water line!!! Don't be afraid. It is safe. (and the transducers are cheaper and more reliabale as well ) Regards, Mike C.
Yes, Forward of the Keel
You asked about location. Yes, forward of the keel is good. On my 23, I have the knotmeter just to the port side, and the depth tranducer just to the starboard side. Both are forward of the keel on the relatively flat section before the bow. Access is easy through the hatches in the vee berth. I agree with the opinion of using through-hull technology; no new holes if you don't have to. You only have two factory holes below water line on your 23, that's the thru-hull for the knotmeter (carry a spare plug), and for the sink/icebox...and hope you've added a proper seacock, which was not factory.
You asked about location. Yes, forward of the keel is good. On my 23, I have the knotmeter just to the port side, and the depth tranducer just to the starboard side. Both are forward of the keel on the relatively flat section before the bow. Access is easy through the hatches in the vee berth. I agree with the opinion of using through-hull technology; no new holes if you don't have to. You only have two factory holes below water line on your 23, that's the thru-hull for the knotmeter (carry a spare plug), and for the sink/icebox...and hope you've added a proper seacock, which was not factory.
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