Thru-Hull Transducer Installation ?

[MsgMills]

Can anyone tell me, if in fact you actually have to cut into your boat hull to install a Thru-Hull Transducer. I know you use some sort of epoxy to secure the Transducer. Also how do you know where to exactly mount the transducer for it to work properly. Plus if I am mounting an external GPS antenna, where is the best place to mount this at on the boat?

Thanks

[flippindrew]

They do have "TRUE THRU HULL" transducers but you most likely dont have one. They are usually around 500 bucks and actually go thru the hull of the boat and stick out underneath. You most likely have a puck or a skimmer type transducer that are called "thru hull" transducers because many are mounted in the bottom of the boat. When mounting this type of transducer, find a nice flat surface around the plug area of you boat(inside the boat). No cutting is needed, just sand the area well. Make sure you get some of the Lowrance LEI gel that is made for mounting transducers this way. You can get this at some marine's including Stokleys in Lex. After the selected area is sanded, sand the bottom of the transucer as well. Then put the gel down onto the area you wish to mount and put it in place. After placing the transducer on the gel, find something heavy to place on top of it to make sure it does't slide out of place and to make sure no air bubbles form underneath in the gel. Wait 24hrs and your done!

As far as the antenna, mount it anywhere it has a clear view of the sky. If you have a lowrance unit, they make a mount that holds the antenna on the back of the mount (behind the unit but on the same mount) with the unit. These work great. If you dont want to buy one of these mounts you can mount it behind the seat, on top of your dash, beside your console, or anywhere it has a clear view.

[Cobra190]

Clyde,
You can use a two part epoxy for installation. It can be placed in there rear of the boat on the flattest area you can find that is actually part of the hull itself. Mine is in the center of the pad and away from the batteries and any wiring that may cause interference. As for the gps antenna, basically anywhere you want to put it. Ido not have an antenna of any sort, but have seen alot of folks mount them next to the driver console. Maybe someone else can help better on this. Good Luck,

[mhall]

Can the regular transducer that comes with a unit such as Lowrance 135 be mounted this way?

[Bill Day]

Yep. Just make sure you place the transducer as far bak towards the transom as possible so that it will npt be in an area where there will be air between the hull and the water when the boat is at full lift, i.e. on the pad.

Also, we don't advise mounting the antenna around the console anymore. If you can, put it where their is no obstruction from any side angle to the antenna. Ranger now places them at the very top of the cap near the back of the boat. this avoids loss of signal which can occur if the antenna is placed too close to a part of the boat which is higher than the antenna, i.e. windsheilds, console, graphs, etc.
Bill

[basscat1]

most boat makers make a flat spot some where around the drain just for this.you can also use bondo to secure it in place.

[td176]

My Javilin has a little depression between the gas tank and the transom for a puck transducer, as far as the GPS antenna mine is mounted on the flat spot behind the rear deck on the fiberglass

[td176]

After reading my last post I think I better make a doctors appointment for my depressed boat

[MsgMills]

Thanks to all you guys who supplied info for my ?....

[crazyfishinnut]

The transsducer that comes with your unit will work fine but here are some pointers make sure the spot is clean, use pipe dope to make a circle and take care not to create to many bubbles whlie mixing epoxy they will effect it more than anything