Experience with transom mounted transducer?

[thegrapeguy]

I'd like to get a Garmin 53dv but it comes with a transom mounted transducer. I thought I read somewhere that the jet wash interferes with the working of the transducer. Not sure if that means the fish finder doesn't display well or at all, not sure if the depth finder works with the jet wash.

The guy at Garmin recommended an "in hull" transducer but it's an extra $150 and I think it will show depth but not the fish finder function.

What I really need is a chart plotter to navigate on inland lake in Upstate NY, maybe a few other nearby lakes and give me depth readings since the depth meter on my 2014 212x mysteriously doesn't work. The Garmin appeals to me mainly because of the $379 pricepoint but the included transducer needs to mount under swim platform and I'm wondering can it be placed so as not to be interfered by the jet wash...

 

[Bennie]

@thegrapeguy -

I have a Lowrance Elite 5HDI that has a transducer like yours. I use it for chart plotting as well as searching for my dive spots.
Here is how I mounted my system:
(and I have not had any problems at all with scupper functionality nor any water back-feeding into the boat)

 

[thegrapeguy]

Wow - what hole is that cable coming through? Forgot what it is...

 

[thegrapeguy]

Wouldn't it leak back into boat?

 

[Bennie]

I have never had any problems of it leaking back into the scupper. It would have to travel up the hose through the engine compartment and back into the back of the boat deck. And not once have I ever had that problem.

The cable actually leaves the drain line just before it enters the boat, I wrapped it with waterproof tape - no leaks. I've had it installed for two years now. No leaks so far.
All holes drilled into the hull were sealed with 5200.

 

[Noko]

Here's my install. I looked at doing a thru hull but for me to do it was harder, I think, than doing an external. Mine works great and I never have any issues with jet wash. It does blank out for a few seconds when I go from idle to on plane and maybe if I cut a hard turn.

 

[Drift Away]

I just had mine put in and they said the same thing, that the jet wash will throw it off. So they dropped the ride plate on the left side and mounted it to the ride plate.

 

[thegrapeguy]

I don't understand what you mean by "drop the ride plate" - it doesn't look like it has been dropped...

 

[Julian]

The jets exit well behind the transom, so jet wash has zero impact on transducer operation. Now I could understand if they said that turbulence from the jet intakes causes issues.....that said....never had any issues on my 230....I'll be installing the transducer on the 242X later this spring.

 

[thegrapeguy]

Acc to Noko he has issues with fast acceleration and hard turns so it seems that under the ride plate might be better...

 

[Drift Away]

I don't understand what you mean by "drop the ride plate" - it doesn't look like it has been dropped...

They took it off the boat drilled holes and sealed the transducer to it and Bolted the ride plate back to the boat.

 

[Bennie]

I too secured my transducer to the ride plate. Very strong backing to apply it to. That location also places it down in jet-wash-free water and will give you a good water depth comparable to the bottom of your boat. ie - to avoid shallow areas
imho

 

[Drift Away]

I tool secured my transducer to the ride plate. Very strong backing to apply it to. That location also places it down in jet-wash-free water and will give you a good water depth comparable to the bottom of your boat. ie - to avoid shallow areas
imho

I have not had a chance to try mine out since i had it put in hope it works good under there