First time FishFinder Installation Question???

[Boilermaker]

I am about to install my first fish finder, a FURUNO LS6100 with a AIRMAR P66 Tri-ducer.<br />ANY mounting tips for the trans/tri-ducer??? Should I just follow the mounting instructions that came with the unit??? I'm not to keen about drilling the transome below the waterline. The boat is an 18ft Modified Vee fiberglass hull with a single outboard. The instructions just gives a min. distance from the engine. Should I keep it in at the minimum distance so its close to the centerline, or move it out away from the engine noise??? <br />ANY AND ALL HELP IS WELCOME. <br />Thanks <br />Jim

 

[imported_JD__]

Re: First time FishFinder Installation Question???

Boilermaker,<br />I would mount it as close to the minimum centerline as possible in between ribs or strakes. You don't want anything ahead of the transducer that would create turbulence. It needs to run in clean, undisturbed water. Take a good look at your hull and determine if your proposed mounting location is an area that will remain in the water when the boat is on plane, the deeper the better. If you have a stepped transom, mount it to the lower step, just above the hull bottom. I mount my transducers so the face is at least 1/2 inch below the hull. It should be mounted "plumb". NOT with the contour or angle of the dead rise. After installation adjust it so the face of the 'ducer is flat with the water and not canted forward or backward. Almost forgot, After you drill the holes for the mounting bracket, go back with a slightly larger or countersinking bit and lightly chamfer the holes. If you don't, the screw threads will chip and pull out little chunks of gel coat when you screw them in. 3-M makes a good marine grade sealant. <br />JD

 

[Boilermaker]

Re: First time FishFinder Installation Question???

Thanks JD,<br />OK, The countersinking is good advice NOT in the instructions.>>> I guess 4200 would be a good sealer for the screws, right???>>the other question I have is the instructions said that you MUST use the anti-fouling transducer paint on the transducer if used in SALT water. I DO use in salt water, but I trailer the boat & wash it after each use>>>should I still paint it??/ And do I paint the intire unit>>>even the speed paddle wheel???<br />THANKS AGAIN<br />Jim

 

[imported_JD__]

Re: First time FishFinder Installation Question???

You can't go wrong with 4200. I don't have a clue about transducer paint, I'm a fresh water guy.<br />JD

 

[newhewes]

Re: First time FishFinder Installation Question???

the lowrance website has information about mounting the transducer. go to http://www.lowrance.com/Support/installation_guide.asp for more info.

 

[Boatist]

Re: First time FishFinder Installation Question???

If you trailer you do not need to paint anything. You will not get any marine growth in a day or two in the water. I would suggest a mounting block to mount the transducer and paddle wheel. Than way when you get a new transducer with a new depthfinder in later years not drilling more holes because old holds do not line up. They may sell them here at Iboat but not sure. Check the link below to see what I am talking about. Serch for "transducer mounting plate".<br /><br /> http://www.cabelas.com

 

[ThomWV]

Re: First time FishFinder Installation Question???

You can cut your own mounting plate out of some 3/4" plywood, soak it in some epoxy, paint it, and then attach it to the transom. The great advantage ofusing one of these is that it allows you to mount your transducer without having screws penetrate the transom. Almost all transom's are cored and wood is the usual material for the coreing. Once you drill that first hole I do not care how well you seal it, its just a matter of time until water gets in. At that very moment the process of transome rot has begun. That's the reason you use the blocks.<br /><br />You have been given very good advice by people who know what they are talking about. I just want to add a very little bit to that.<br /><br />As mentioned you need to study the hull bottom forward of the mounting location. What you are looking for is anything that will distrub the water flow that will reach the transducer. That includes thru hull fittings, strakes, trim tabs, steps (in which case we go to plan 2) or anything else that might mix up the water. If you see any such thing ahead of the transducer then you have to move it to the side further.<br /><br />As for getting it withing a foot or so of the engine, you can if you have to.<br /><br />The thing to keep in mind is that the face of the transducer, the flat part, has to point straight down when the boat is under way. Now, in truth you want it pointing just every so slightly forward of straight down, but that is just to avoid the formation of a big sheeted air bubble over the face of he transducer when you get up to speed.<br /><br />Thom

 

[riptide116]

Re: First time FishFinder Installation Question???

on my boat I have a humminbird tx400,I have a slider bar that has the trancducer mounted to,the max it can go down is in the proper operating levelness,when I am on a run i loosen the c-clamp (gettting old) and slide the bar up to the maximum top (keeper nuts and bolts run thru the bar) the bar,flat 1/4inch wide,is held in place by a I-bolt in a upper and lower position,the bad part is I drilled more holes into my hull,the good part is when I trailer it,shore it,or put it in the elevator where it is moored at(dry locker) the trancducer wont get buggerd ,there is plenty of play in the cord and I gooped some extra epoxy to prevent wear and bending on that area where the cord goes into transducer,the mount area is about 15 inches from C/L,but each hull is diffrent and ya gotta find the right spot BEFORE you make it permanent,otherwise you get to drill more holes into your boat-yippe!-

 

[dmarsh0527]

Re: First time FishFinder Installation Question???

I am in the same boat (so to speak)in that I wish to mount a tranducer on the transom of my brand new boat and do not like the ideo of drilling hole in the fiberglass. How do you secure the Mounting plate to the transom? The pictures I have seen show at least two screws into the transom.<br /><br />Thanks for any guidance.

 

[cuzner]

Re: First time FishFinder Installation Question???

Hey dmarsh, you will have drill holes, no way around it.Make sure you lots of sealant when you put the screws in. And make sure of placement before you drill.<br /><br /> p.s. some people here get upset about people hi-jacking someone elses thread, you can post your own thread and get a better response.<br /><br /><br /> Jim