If you take the time to research and plan how and where
to mount the transducer on your new depth gauge or transducer, you'll pay
dividends on the water. A well-mounted transducer works well on the road and
while towing, it won't get tangled in the bunks when towing your boat and
provides years of satisfaction. This article is based on a single motorboat, so
if you have multiple outboard motors or internal motors, please watch the video
at the end of this article after reading the 4 main steps of transom Transducer Mount on a boat.
1.
WHY THE TRANSMISSION
When fitting a transom into a transom the first thing I
want to do is figure out what is going on behind the boat while it is underway.
Be very careful when doing this and make sure you have your PFD with you and
that a trusted captain is at the helm of your vessel. I like to stand in the
direction of the rear mirror of the boat as it rolls and looks over the transom
towards the water flowing under the boat,
especially on the starboard side. I mentally note where
I see clear, turbulent water. These conditions allow the Transducer Mount to maintain
accurate echoes while cruising and in turn provide excellent performance from
your depth gauge or sonar. Once I have a good idea of where I'm getting good
“clean” water, I can either put the boat on the trailer or hoist it up and
start my setup.
2.
LOOK FOR OBSTACLES CAUSING INTERFERENCE
When I'm ready to begin installing the transducer, the
first things I look for are straps and steps. You never want to place the
transducer directly behind any of them as they will cause turbulence and may
interfere with the performance of the depth gauge. Then if the boat is thrown
or loaded into an elevator, I check and notice where the cages are and if they
are going to interfere with my new Transducer Shield. Failure to do so may damage your
transducer or bunk the next time you load the boat.
3.
DETERMINE THE TRANSDUCER MOUNTING ANGLE
The general rule of thumb is to Transducer Mount on
the starboard side, which is the downstroke of most external propellers (lower
right unit). This location produces the least turbulence and is the most
efficient to provide the best performance. You want to find a location as far
away from the lower unit as possible, while still allowing correct installation
parameters and good contact with water. Once you've found your place, assess
the angle of your mirror.
The standard mirror angle is 13 degrees, but they vary
and most mirror mounting kits come with shims to accommodate anomalies. I like
to see the transducer at about a 3-degree angle. This means that the front edge
of the transducer is tilted slightly upward. At the slightest downward angle,
the Transducer Shield and Saver may tilt downward, causing turbulence and poor performance. Once
you've calculated the angle of the mirror and if shims are needed, it's time to
move on to mounting the stand.
4.
MOUNTING BRACKET AND TRANSDUCER
When mounting the stand, I like to give myself space to
adjust. Especially the possibility of placing the transducer lowest in the
water. You don't want the leading edge of the transducer to be more than 1/8
"below the mirror as a starting point. I put the Sensors and Transducers in the
bracket, mimic it with the transducer 1/8" under the hull, and mark holes
down at the bottom of the bracket mounting holes.
This way I have a little leeway to raise it up and a lot
to lower it. This is because if you experience bad readings, especially at high
speeds, lowering the transducer in the water can often improve this condition.
After marking your holes, Transducer Shield and Saver pass the
wire and hit the water. If you need to adjust the transducer, check out this
article or watch our mirror mounting video.
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