Mounting transducers...

[JBFranklin]

When you guys mount transducers on the back of your transom, do you seal up the drill hole and screw with silicone?

I have a high speed transducer mount (3 holes) plus a couple clamps I’m going to use to keep the cable neat as it runs up and over the back of transom.

I’m nervous about drilling holes in the transom...

Thanks in advance...


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[huntsfurfish]

Use a transducer mounting plate. I used 2 screws into the transom and used 3M 5200 to glue the plate on and used 2 screws as well(seal holes too). You can buy smaller glue on mounting plates as well. But I liked the ability to add a couple more ducers or other things like a pitot. Also gives you more flexibility to make some moves for your ducer if you dont get the positioning quite right. You can then add/move/remove transducers as you wish with only the 2 original holes.

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/135411

edit: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/3m-m...5200-for-boats

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/3...0215p.html#srp

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/3...0216p.html#srp

and the glue on

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/ster...ounting-system

You can just glue on the larger ones as well and not screw them in but I want to make sure it doesnt come off and I have multiple ducers.

You could also use puck board if thick enough.

[JBFranklin]

Originally Posted by huntsfurfish

Use a transducer mounting plate. I used 2 screws into the transom and used 3M 5200 to glue the plate on and used 2 screws as well(seal holes too). You can buy smaller glue on mounting plates as well. But I liked the ability to add a couple more ducers or other things like a pitot. Also gives you more flexibility to make some moves for your ducer if you dont get the positioning quite right. You can then add/move/remove transducers as you wish with only the 2 original holes.

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/135411

edit: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/3m-m...5200-for-boats

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/3...0215p.html#srp

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/3...0216p.html#srp

and the glue on

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/ster...ounting-system

You can just glue on the larger ones as well and not screw them in but I want to make sure it doesnt come off and I have multiple ducers.

You could also use puck board if thick enough.

Thanks.. that should do it for me...

[EZM]

I do the exact same thing as Huntsfurfish - mounting plate is the way to go - fewer holes, as you leave the plate alone and can still move around the transducer, upgrade, whatever if you use short little screws that don't penetrate past the plate.

The other thing is, you want to look down you hull and try picking a spot where your transducer will get smooth water and not too many bubbles or turbulence.

Half of the guys out there that aren't getting good readings while up on plane have the transducer in the wrong spot.

For regular sized transducers (not the giant SI ones) As close to the bottom middle and not behind a strake, rib or where the angle changes is best usually.

The SI ones, at least on my boat are at the edges and once up on plane they don't read bottom for me - hence I run the high speed smaller one off a y cable and set it up that way.

[JBFranklin]

Originally Posted by EZM

I do the exact same thing as Huntsfurfish - mounting plate is the way to go - fewer holes, as you leave the plate alone and can still move around the transducer, upgrade, whatever if you use short little screws that don't penetrate past the plate.

The other thing is, you want to look down you hull and try picking a spot where your transducer will get smooth water and not too many bubbles or turbulence.

Half of the guys out there that aren't getting good readings while up on plane have the transducer in the wrong spot.

For regular sized transducers (not the giant SI ones) As close to the bottom middle and not behind a strake, rib or where the angle changes is best usually.

The SI ones, at least on my boat are at the edges and once up on plane they don't read bottom for me - hence I run the high speed smaller one off a y cable and set it up that way.

Solid advice. Thanks very much...

[Poppa]

I actually went to Home Depot and got a length of trim board sawed off at 18" and epoxy-ed that to the back and drilled my Total Scan 'ducer to it. It worked out fantastic.

[Walleyedude]

Originally Posted by EZM

I do the exact same thing as Huntsfurfish - mounting plate is the way to go - fewer holes, as you leave the plate alone and can still move around the transducer, upgrade, whatever if you use short little screws that don't penetrate past the plate.

The other thing is, you want to look down you hull and try picking a spot where your transducer will get smooth water and not too many bubbles or turbulence.

Half of the guys out there that aren't getting good readings while up on plane have the transducer in the wrong spot.

For regular sized transducers (not the giant SI ones) As close to the bottom middle and not behind a strake, rib or where the angle changes is best usually.

The SI ones, at least on my boat are at the edges and once up on plane they don't read bottom for me - hence I run the high speed smaller one off a y cable and set it up that way.

X2 on this. Transducer boards are the only way to go.

I've got my 3in1 mounted at a pretty standard height, but I also generally like to keep the big SI trandsducers out of the water when on plane if possible. No real need to drag them around or risk damaging them, you aren't using them at those speeds anyway.

I've got transducer boards mounted on both sides and 4 transducers hanging off the back, plus one glassed in just to be sure lol. From left to right - Airmar TM150, LiveSight, Active Imaging 3in1, 83/200 HDI skimmer.

[JBFranklin]

Thanks to all for the great advice. Obviously a mounting plate with the right sealant is the best way to go.

I picked up some nice thick high density Rhino Board scraps from a friend's shop early this afternoon so I should be good to go.

Thats the project tonight. Thanks again to all...