Transducer location

58thecat · #1 04-21-2021, 01:09 PM

So got a new fish liar that has down and side imaging...my question is where on the transom would be the best location as not to hinder the side imaging ability? Old transducer is on the far left side about an inch from the side and bottom of the boat....maybe just put the new one there and go from there? Any ideas from those who have this type of fish liar?

AlbertanGP · #2 04-21-2021, 02:42 PM

I'm not sure where on the transom is going to make much difference in terms of side imaging...theoretically closer to the outboard is better than far away, but it's likely negligible, and you may have to trim out the outboard regardless. Make sure you're not behind a strake/chine/row of rivets. The left side is supposed to be better than the right due to prop rotation causing cavitation, but I don't think it makes much difference IME. Take into account anything else taking up real estate on the transom (kicker, Vantage, trim tabs, etc.) and decide if there are any other complicating factors like stacking transducers for Fish Reveal with Lowrance.

TLDR; 12-18" from the keel on the port (left) side is generally considered ideal. Anywhere can work fine.

58thecat · #3 04-21-2021, 04:22 PM

Thx for the reply, the only thing mentioned in the mounting of the transducer is ensuring other ones are away from it and not having it to close to the engine leg so I put it today on the left side pretty much where the old one was....just going to have to play with it on the water and hope nothing interferes with the side imaging.

AlbertanGP · #4 04-21-2021, 05:54 PM

I think out at the edge is fine if you are not running trim tabs or have a reverse chine out there. In the end, it's trial and error to get it just right. Run it for awhile where you have it. If there are issues, try it 12-18" from the keel and see if that helps. Good luck.

thorne · #5 04-21-2021, 07:36 PM

I do exactly what they say "Not to do" I always mount in right under the hull. I get that the logic is that it can be "Damaged" due to impact or bottoming out...but if that happens then I have bigger issues, like the lower leg of my B-3 Outdrive, getting taken out. In order to avoid the turning radius of the B-3 I would have to had to mount it way out to the side, which also ment going higher. That would have positioned it such that the entire left side would be blocked by the outdrive...so screw it...under it went. That was 10 years ago when I bought my first HDS unit. After those 10 years and several upgrades...Im still mounting underneath with no issues. Just Excellent bottom contact at any speed and great imaging due to the transducer having a clear shot away from and in front of any prop interference. I know its not for everyone....but thought I would throw it out there regardless...

SNAPFisher · #6 04-21-2021, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thorne

I do exactly what they say "Not to do" I always mount in right under the hull. I get that the logic is that it can be "Damaged" due to impact or bottoming out...but if that happens then I have bigger issues, like the lower leg of my B-3 Outdrive, getting taken out. In order to avoid the turning radius of the B-3 I would have to had to mount it way out to the side, which also ment going higher. That would have positioned it such that the entire left side would be blocked by the outdrive...so screw it...under it went. That was 10 years ago when I bought my first HDS unit. After those 10 years and several upgrades...Im still mounting underneath with no issues. Just Excellent bottom contact at any speed and great imaging due to the transducer having a clear shot away from and in front of any prop interference. I know its not for everyone....but thought I would throw it out there regardless...

Interesting for sure.

58thecat · #7 04-22-2021, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thorne

I do exactly what they say "Not to do" I always mount in right under the hull. I get that the logic is that it can be "Damaged" due to impact or bottoming out...but if that happens then I have bigger issues, like the lower leg of my B-3 Outdrive, getting taken out. In order to avoid the turning radius of the B-3 I would have to had to mount it way out to the side, which also ment going higher. That would have positioned it such that the entire left side would be blocked by the outdrive...so screw it...under it went. That was 10 years ago when I bought my first HDS unit. After those 10 years and several upgrades...Im still mounting underneath with no issues. Just Excellent bottom contact at any speed and great imaging due to the transducer having a clear shot away from and in front of any prop interference. I know its not for everyone....but thought I would throw it out there regardless...

I bounce my tinner down rivers, pull it up on shore, run real shallow places to get to the gators or to a so called secret hole....the bottom slides over most areas even had to get out a few times to assist the might vessel on its way so I cant have my transducer mounted it on the bottom....if I had a haul like a tri haul I might consider it...hide it in a high spot and hope for the best

Like I mentioned i got it positioned where the old one was yesterday when it was plus 20 out....mid may she will be tested

Coiloil37 · #8 04-22-2021, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlbertanGP

I'm not sure where on the transom is going to make much difference in terms of side imaging...theoretically closer to the outboard is better than far away, but it's likely negligible, and you may have to trim out the outboard regardless. Make sure you're not behind a strake/chine/row of rivets. The left side is supposed to be better than the right due to prop rotation causing cavitation, but I don't think it makes much difference IME. Take into account anything else taking up real estate on the transom (kicker, Vantage, trim tabs, etc.) and decide if there are any other complicating factors like stacking transducers for Fish Reveal with Lowrance.

TLDR; 12-18" from the keel on the port (left) side is generally considered ideal. Anywhere can work fine.

Unless you running a counter rotating prop, transducers are supposed to be run on the right or starboard side of the boat. I’ve personally had ducers on both sides and both side work but given the choice your supposed to run it on the side of the boat that the propellor is swinging down which is almost always the right side.

AlbertanGP · #9 04-22-2021, 02:43 PM

You're right I listed that backwards according to conventional wisdom. My apologies for the confusion. It's a bit moot really, since you should be 12-18" from the outboard whichever side you mount on...which is probably why I've never seen much difference myself. Thanks for pointing out my error regardless.

58thecat · #10 04-22-2021, 04:08 PM

On outboard or inboard/outboard boats, it is best to locate the transducer at least 15" to the side of the propeller(s). The best way to locate turbulence-free water is to view the transom while the boat is moving. This method is recommended if maximum high-speed operation is a high priority.

hmmm I am about 20" or so away from the prop but on the port/left side...was not an issue with the other transducer other than when full out ( 20 ish miles an hour) I lost the signal...I think it was because of the turbulence and the fact it probably is not always in the water that far out?

Then there are the rivets and strakes that play into turbulence....I went to the left side as that was where the original one was and not a fan of toooo many holes in a boat..if I cant sort this out I will go to the right side or move slightly to avoid turbulent areas but given the way the tinner is laid out hull wise I think I will never find a perfect place to cover all speeds with no loss of signal.

AlbertanGP · #11 04-22-2021, 04:59 PM

The problem with moving outwards on most multi-species boats is you will run into the reverse chine or trim tabs. That's not usually an issue on tinners though. I mounted my Active Imaging 'ducer on the left about 12" from the keel, since I wanted to mount my Vantage on the Starboard side. I also wanted to keep the 'ducer as close to the Carbon 16 as possible for mapping, although in the end I went with a Point 1 mounted on a pole 4' off the transom right above the 'ducer. Because when it comes to mapping, I subscribe to the go hard or go home theory...

My HDI on my Warrior is mounted in the same spot...about 12-18" port side from the keel in front of my 300 Suze, and it reads 400+ fow at 40+ mph on Williston. So don't overthink it too much.

Coiloil37 · #12 04-22-2021, 05:14 PM

I tried mounting further from the keel but ran into issues on plane or in heavy seas when the boats rocking side to side as the ducer comes out of the water in both instances. I’ve got mine here and it’ll mark bottom and bait with minimal noise on the screen at 40 knots. I’ve never seen a single fish at that speed but I wouldn’t expect to.

What worked for me was keeping it in clean water, run the transducer cable away from all other power cables, I mounted the transducer lower (relative to the hull) then most instructions indicate and the back is tipped very slightly down relative to the front. Mine only has a 600 watt ducer and loses bottom at 355-360 meters in the salt but when I’m that deep I typically set the range to only watch the top 70-100m because I don’t care what’s down on the bottom.

AlbertanGP · #13 04-22-2021, 05:38 PM

I bet that setup kicks a heckuva rooster tail. But whatever works. I know a few guys that swear by running them low like that. I know there are companies making little shields for guys that run them that way to keep the rooster tail in check.

Coiloil37 · #14 04-22-2021, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlbertanGP

I bet that setup kicks a heckuva rooster tail. But whatever works. I know a few guys that swear by running them low like that. I know there are companies making little shields for guys that run them that way to keep the rooster tail in check.

It sure does but it throws it against the leg and lower cowel on the outboard. Nothing is thrown starboard and it’s all behind me so of no concern to me.

I’ve had it much higher in .5-1.0 mm increments and this gives me the best picture at all speeds even with the outboard trimmed right down.