transducer location?

[Graham Nash]

On Little Sal I had a transom mounted "skimmer" transducer with a Lowrance sonar, this setup was fitted professionally but was next to useless at anything over about 4 knotts. I sold the sonar and the buyer recons it's the best he's used so obviously my problem was the transducer.

 

I then mounted an "in hull" transducer and a Garmin sonar and I had been very pleased with that set up, apart from not knowing the water temperature. So for my new boat I have purchased myself the appropriate transom mounted transducer and am looking to fit it myself.

 

My concerns are that;

 

A ) As I have never seen my boat in the water I dont know where the water line is, does this matter or does it fit beneath the waterline?

 

B ) When motoring along surely there will be a hollow between the transome and the beginning of my wake, thus potentially leaving the transducer out of the water.

 

C ) Do I go back to in hull transducer which seemed to work at any speed up to about 20 knotts.

 

Your views/comments would be appreciated thanks.

Edited March 29, 2012 by Graham Nash

[live bait]

Hi, I expect my boat is much smaller (5m) than yours but I imagine the theory is the same.

 

The transducer goes right at the bottom edge of the transom (in my case halfway between the centre line and edge) so it can "see" clear of the the transom edge in all directions. It is therefore well down in the water and the water line is not relevant.

 

In my case, as the transducer is to the side and forward of the outboard wake, it is always under the water and works at any speed up to my max 25kts, even though it makes its own little wake at speed.

 

I guess if you have twin drive, positioning might be more of an issue but I don't have any knowledge on that. I expect others will know.

 

Clive

[Graham Nash]

That sounds like the perfect advice I wanted Clive. My old one (fitted professionally) sat right on the water line and was useless when I was moving!

[Jim]

I bet you could buy a cheap thermometer if you really need to know the water temp Graham.

 

 

Jim

[Graham Nash]

I bet you could buy a cheap thermometer if you really need to know the water temp Graham.

 

 

Jim

Ha Ha Jim .... this is true, but I have occasionally doubted my in hull transducer, espscially when looking for a wreck.