help mounting transducer

[small block]

just got a new carolina skiff and need to mount deep finder transducer.its a bottom line 100 fish finder, the manual says to mount it on the bottom of the hull for best perfomance at speed.if i mount it on the bottom its going to hit the runners on the trailer.can i mount it on the outside of the transom close to the bottom ?will this greatly effect the readings ? please help.

 

[DJ]

Re: help mounting transducer

small block,<br /><br />Normally, the finders come with a bracket that mounts to the transom at a point that is as close to the bottom as possible. Most brackets allow for some adjustment up and down. You'll have to look at the transom and decide where the transducer will get the cleanest water flow and not interfere with bunks/rollers. The Caro. Skiff has a fairly flat bottom so you should be able to mount it somewhere between the engine and the chine and have good clean water flow past it.<br /><br />I do not mount transducers directly to the hull. I mount a piece of Starboard (a poly cutting board is the same stuff) on the hull. This allows me to mount the transducer to it and allows me to move it without drilling more holes in the hull. I also mount the speedo. pitot tube to it. I usually mount the board with two SS bolts so I can change it if it starts to look a little ugly.<br /><br />By the way, this poly board cuts and sands very similar to wood. I just ordered two cutting boards from www.surplusunlimited.com for $1.00 each. Received them yesterday.

 

[small block]

Re: help mounting transducer

dj,thanks for the quick reply.if i mount it on the bottomits going to get hit or ripped of of the hull. the bottom of the hull has 2 chines on either side that the bucks of the trailer sets in between.there is about 3inches of room on both sides of the bucks and the chines.theres not much room for error.anyway anywhere i put it on the bottom its in jeapordy of getting hit buy the bucks onthe trailer.the only safe spot on the bottom is right under the center of the hull,but that puts it in heavy turbulance created buy the prop wich the manual says not to do?thanks small block.

 

[DJ]

Re: help mounting transducer

small block,<br /><br />I'm not sure of what type of transducer you got with your set up. As I mentioned, most come supplied with a bracket that mounts to the transom. Unless, you have a through hull type that requires a hole drilled through the hull-bad idea for a boat that might frequent shallows.<br /><br />Did you get a bracket? If so, mount as described before. You'll have to make the judgement on where it will receive clean water and not be in the way of bunks/rollers. That's why I like the poly board. It allows for movement without going through the "woodpecker method".<br /><br />If you have a digital camera, send me some pictures of the transducer ass'y and the back of your boat. We'll get you set up right.<br /><br />e-mail address is: djohns19@peoplepc.com

 

[small block]

Re: help mounting transducer

thanks dj,i did not get a bracket with this fish finder.its a BOTTOM LINE 100 that i paid #80$ for new,its not best.now that i have a new boat i think i am going to wait and buy a more exspensive one.i like the poly idea alot,only drilling 2 holes in the hull for the life of my boat,thats cool.i dont have a cammera ,i wish i did.the bunks that the boat sits on are treated 2x8s that when the boat is onthe trailer these bunks are at the rear of the hull flush with the transom.when loading im afraid of crushing it. thanks again small block

 

[DJ]

Re: help mounting transducer

Hey small block,<br /><br />That's not a bad finder. You may be able to find a different transducer for it.. THe Bottomline company may be of some help or check Cabelas www.cabelas.com<br /><br />If you plan on running an electric trolling motor, that Bottomline might be just the ticket for mounting to the trolling motor. That way you'll have a finder on both ends of the boat. That's what I did with an old H'bird that someone gave me. It worked fine for that application, but wasn't worth a flip for reading the bottom at speed.

 

[crab bait]

Re: help mounting transducer

if you are worried about the bunk hittin' the unit.... just saw-off an inch or two of said bunk.... it can never now ever hit. also i took a piece of teak , can buy pieces at marine centers an glued it to my transom.. for a mounting board.. with epoxy & held in place with duct tape until cured.. that way no SCREW HOLES at all in the transom...

 

[Franki]

Re: help mounting transducer

The poly and teak ideas are great stuff..<br /><br />I just stole the cutting board from the kitchen.. gonna take that advice and mount it on tomorrow...<br /><br />I like the idea of epoxy.. and not drilling is even beter.. (though its too late in my case..)<br /><br />still, I am going to do it anyway..<br /><br />Thanks for the tips guys, keepem coming..<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank