FSH Transducer mounting option

[H2O Life]

I am new to the forum, and I have recently purchased a Deluxe. I have seen some very inventive solutions for mounting a transducer on an FSH, and after reading about several options I ended up with the following. First I didn't want to drill any holes in my new boat (I am sure that will pass). Second I am mounting a Ecomap 44DV and I will be upgrading when my wife is not looking, so I didn't want anything not easily removed later. I want to say thanks to everyone for their post, as I borrowed and learned from your experiences. I hope this option adds to the discussions.
Angle stock from Lowes transducer mounted to lower angle removed 2 bolts from keel plate, added spacers, and re-installed 2 M8 1.25x70 SS bolts through top angle. Drilled and installed 2 bolts to join angles. Note: angles were trimmed and fit prior to achieve desired height/drop in reference to bottom of boat.
Looking aft
Side view showing standoff and routing.

 

[Tonkatoy]

I see that you put the wire through your drain plug.

 

[H2O Life]

Yep, I actually had the transducer mounted on a PWC before, used the same plug setup and had no issues. That being said, it didn't leak nearly as much as this boat. I typically pull the other plug on the ramp if its not busy, and let the water drain on the ramp. It gets almost all the water out that way, and by the time I drive home its about all gone.

 

[Tonkatoy]

Right on,

Mounting a transducer on this boat is a nightmare! There is no easy way...

 

[Grover70]

Similar location for my transducer as well. I'm very happy with the signal. I drilled my only hole above the water line. Used an epoxy transom mount to route the cable up. With the one drain closed, does water pass through the centerline of the boat to the other easily?

 

[Hannibal]

I opted for the Airmar P79 in hull for Garmin 741sx. Works ok but I unknowingly installed it right behind the live well intake. It gets a little interference at speed but works well otherwise. I use the map while up to speed anyhow so for me, no problem.

 

[Tonkatoy]

I just did this yesterday. I wanted to take advantage of the side scan feature using the single supplied transducer on the Garmin chirp 93sv. Not sure if it will work, but will post results... I tapped course threads into my intake grate.

 

[Tonkatoy]

Uhm, is that directly inline with the jet intake? Interested to hear if you get turbulence interference. Forward, not aft, would have been a better location

From my research I read that you cannot put anything in front of the intake grate. That would interfere w the intake hydraulics...
I was curious to put it here because others have had success mounting the transducer closer to the keel without any problems. If it doesn't work, back to the drawing board. But at least I can create a post on not what to do. It only cost me a precious day off.

I really want to get this side scan working w 1 transducer. It would be sweet if it works.

 

[H2O Life]

I just did this yesterday. I wanted to take advantage of the side scan feature using the single supplied transducer on the Garmin chirp 93sv. Not sure if it will work, but will post results... I tapped course threads into my intake grate.
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Cool deal! Please let us know how it works. I would think the water would be really clean right at the leading edge.

 

[Tonkatoy]

I agree that thru-hull is best, but this is tricky because of the side scan feature. Angles stink... You would need 2, one for either side to do it perfectly. $$$ That's like $1200 in just transducers plus a unit to make it work.

I got this 9" garmin chirp w sidescan for $800. It would be nice to get it to work for short money.

 

[kthrash]

My puck I made and transducer mount, gives good clear signal all the way to max speed, even though its "to close" to a strake.

 

[Tonkatoy]

My puck I made and transducer mount, gives good clear signal all the way to max speed, even though its "to close" to a strake.

I really liked that idea. Angling the starboard is genius. I bought some 1" starboard and was ready to go, but then realized my trailer bunk was going to be in the way. (Mine is different than yours). Plus the sidevu would still be obstructed by keel.

I think the strake thing is a guideline. I guess if you you are below the strake, it better than being above the strake (Where the turbulence would be).

Some have mounted their transducers on the bottom of the keel plate like @Grover70 and have had success. You would think there would be turbulence there too.

Probably the worst place to mount a transducer is on a boat.

 

[kthrash]

I debated installing my SideVu sonar on the back of the boat, but I think its stupid really to see a side view of what you just passed.. I wonder if how mine is installed it it would be affected by the keel, does the signal go straight out at a 90degree from the transducer or more of a downward angle?

 

[Tonkatoy]

Its definitely a downward angle. You position might be ok. I was assuming that the keel would interfere, but who knows...

At first, SideVu wasn't something that was important to me, but it came with the unit and I saw it as a challenge to make it work.

SideVu seems pretty cool though. Check out the youtube videos. It really puts the bottom in perspective to identify objects/structure, etc.
If your going fast... then ya, any of your images are going to be behind the boat.

 

[kthrash]

Yeah I have a sidevu sonar (Garmin 73SV) off my old boat, that was mounted to the trolling motor.. worked great to see side structure as you approached it at trolling speeds... didnt see the point of mounting it on the helm to see what you just passed.

 

[j_shoe99]

I drilled a bunch of holes in my hull yesterday to mount my two side imaging transducers thanks to help from @Grover. I'm putting my trust in 3M 4200. <sigh>

I'm reusing my hummingbird 5" unit from my fishing kayak. When it comes to fishing, I'll never buy a non side imaging unit ever again. Like you say, you scanned bottom as you pass it, you can simply Mark the structure easily, and come back to it later to fish it. Or if you're trolling your lines are still well behind your boat, so you can be aware of a possible upcoming bite.

 

[Tonkatoy]

Looks great!

If Yamaha used silicone on our drain plug fittings, then I think you got nothing to worry about.

 

[Grover70]

Here it is mounted on the plate. It's offset from the intake so I don't notice turbulence. It's also dropped an inch on the seaboard with an opening for the cable to come out. The liquid nails and the epoxy haven't budged an inch with 20 hours of use on the intracoastal and river, full speed, etc.

 

[Rich NW Jboater]

Tonkatoy, have run your boat with the transducer installed, if so how did it work?

 

[Hotreels10]

Here it is mounted on the plate. It's offset from the intake so I don't notice turbulence. It's also dropped an inch on the seaboard with an opening for the cable to come out. The liquid nails and the epoxy haven't budged an inch with 20 hours of use on the intracoastal and river, full speed, etc.


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I'm curious Grover70 to know how your transducer mount has held up over time with use. Did the adhesive hold? Was there any change in the performance of the boat? I was thinking about mounting mine close to keel behind the intake grate but I was concerned about it changing the handling of the boat and the possibility of interference with the transducer readings due to the intake and flow around the keel.