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I have an aluminum 1988 basstracker. I'm getting ready to mount the transducer. Directions say to have the transducer about 1/4 in or so below the bottom of the transom. I'd rather have it even with bottom of the boat. The back end of the boat is always in the water. This ok? Anyone have trouble from the location of their transducer? Easier to ask now, before the drill starts up. :) Thanks for taking time to help.
They make a Teflon or plastic mounting system that you can mount the transducer onto. The plastic mounting system is about 1/2" thick and about 3 or 4 inches wide and about 6 to 10" long. You screw this piece of plastic onto your boat's transom. Then you can mount and remount the transducer onto the plastic without having to drill anymore holes in your boat.
Also if you mount the transducer level with the bottom of the boat you can get turbulence between the area where the boat's transom ends and the front of the transducer begins.
One thing you want to have is "Laminar" water flow around the transducer's surface. Any air bubbles created by turbulent water flow will interfere with the sound waves entering and leaving the transducer.
I think that Bass Pro Shops may have those plastic pieces that you mount on your transom.
[URL]http://www.basspro.com/Transducer-Mounting-Plate/product/9153/[/URL]
Good luck. It may take a few trials before you find a sweet spot. Have someone drive your boat and you can look out the back of the boat to see where the water flows the smoothest before you even think about mounting the transducer on your boat.
Remember that the transducer may have to work at all speeds. It may work fine at slow speeds but when you get up on plane and get going fast you still need to be able to see the bottom depth while moving fast. That's the key to the proper mounting location. Check for any ribs and other protrusions on your hull to make sure that you avoid those spots. Even rivets on the hull's bottom can create turbulence under the boat.
You might also check with other boat owners who have a boat exactly like yours to find out where they mounted their transducers. Perhaps you will get lucky and they will see your post and reply in here too.
[QUOTE=huntingteacher;534343]I have an aluminum 1988 basstracker. I'm getting ready to mount the transducer. Directions say to have the transducer about 1/4 in or so below the bottom of the transom. I'd rather have it even with bottom of the boat. The back end of the boat is always in the water. This ok? Anyone have trouble from the location of their transducer? Easier to ask now, before the drill starts up. :) Thanks for taking time to help.[/QUOTE]
Your directions are correct. Angle the bottom of the transducer forward just a tad if you can and it will function correctly.
or you could do some thing like this [URL]http://www.amazon.com/Stanton-Trading-2-Inch-Cutting-Board/dp/B0032AM0BC/ref=sr_1_26/189-5506843-0159436?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1402691385&sr=1-26[/URL]
and still have a nice cutting board left over.
I had some transducers problems not long ago. I had mine even with the bottom of the boat, it would read fine except when I got on plane. if you are like me reading the bottom while on plane is important. So I moved it just like your directions stated about 1/4" below the bottom of the hull and it works perfectly with no issues!!