Transducer mount - antique boat

[Fastwin]

Hey guys! I am having problems trying to figure out where to mount my transducer. Since I pilot an antique boat I don't want to start drilling holes all over the place. Humminbird has informed me that the suction mount doesn't work well on aluminum and it's designed for "trolling" speeds only. My boat only goes 22 Mph (downriver or with the wind).

So far I have thought of two options:

1. Cut out a piece of wood about 12" long and use the two existing screws to mount it, then screw in the transducer to the wood.
2. Grind off one rivet and replace it with a bolt. (my concerns are that the mounting location may not be good and I'll just keep grinding off rivets until I find the best reception.

I have attached a photograph for your consideration and opinions.

Many thanks!

 

[Skeeter]

I wouldnt drill any rivits. That boat is sweet and I wouldnt to it personally. The wood and scews would work but it looks kinda high.One other option is if you could use 2 part epoxy and when you remove it just sand it back down to original.

 

[Fastwin]

True. . . never thought about epoxy! Now. . . where to mount?

 

[Fastwin]

I'm thinking in the square:

 

[Fastwin]

Forgot the image. . . emoBang

 

[Fastwin]

I've been watching Youtube videos about transducer mounting and most recommend installing it between the rails; however, as you can see from the image above that's too close to the motor. I also have learned that the transducer should extend slightly below the bottom of the boat but you have to be careful that it doesn't create air pockets at speed. I'm trying to do all my homework now so that when I get that unit I can slap it on and go! Once the transducer is mounted everything else will be a breeze!

 

[EricM]

I think you've picked a good spot for it! Should work out well.

 

[jimwarden]

Another option would be to find/make a transducer bracket that mounts to the transom like a trolling motor and sticks the puck just under the water. I've seen these type before. The original Lowrance Green Box flasher came with one. You might search Google & Bing images for "trolling motor bracket" and find one or get other ideas. Good luck.

 

[Fastwin]

there are a row of rivets across the back of the boat. I snapped this image of the back today at full speed. I hope the transducer mounts a few inches under water. . . This image doesn't look transducer friendly.

I have looked at brackets that mount on the transom and basically have a rod that goes down into the water but I'm going for the most stealthy installation possible.

 

[Fishingron]

The row of rivets across the back are not a problem if you choose to glue a piece of wood to the transom. Put your piece of wood where you want it, tap lightly with a hammer to dimple the back side where the rivets are, get out you drill and dill relief holes on the back side and glue in place. Caution. There are limits on how deep the transducer can be and it's not a few inches, closer to a half inch.

 

[Fastwin]

So you think I should glue a piece of wood to the hull instead of gluing the transducer mount? Why? The area which I am thinking about mounting the transducer is free of rivets, my concern is the row of rivets UNDER the boat, not the rivets on the transom.

I e-mailed Humminbird for an opinion, they basically said my pictures suck and they can't tell so I should send them more detailed images - I did. . . A WEEK AGO.

emoSmile

 

[Fishingron]

Guess I got lost here. Re-read all the posts again and I thought the concern was the rivets your picture shows on the transom and now it's the rivets on the bottom of the boat. That said, you have got a right to be concerned about that. The transducer must be installed in clean water meaning no air bubbles.

It was mentioned to install it on a piece of wood. I still think that is a good idea becasue I dont believe you can glue the bracket to the transom and it stay there. A piece of wood would give more surface area and give a better bond.

Your last picture of the water flow behind the transom is a little disturbing if I'm seeing what I think I see. I dont see a clean water flow anywhere. It was mentioned to mount the transduer between the rails but you think that is too close to the motor and it may be or it may not be. It's been a long time since I mounted a transducer on a boat and I cant remember what the manufacturer says about that but I'm thinking 12 inches.

I think you're gonna have to mount the transducer somewhere and go from there.

 

[Fastwin]

yeah, I just hate to glue something on (JB marine weld), find out it wont work, and then have to "saw off" the transducer and grind the glue off, just to re-locate and perhaps have the same thing happen.

What i'm not sure of is just how deep the turbulence is. The rivets are only 2/16" deep so perhaps if the transducer mounts 1/2" below the boat I might luck out.

emoBang emoBang emoBang

 

[Fastwin]

All right kiddos. . . here are more images. Don't mind the rusty trailer and torn carpet

:emoticon:

 

[Doug V]

You have a unique boat that has some unique concerns. Sonar to work at speed must run in turbulence free water. THe under the hull rivets does not help in the mounting and getting it correct the first time. Might take some adjusting of transducer to get in turbulence free water. So I am recommended a Transducer Mounting Board so you only have to put one set of holes in the boat. These Poly Boards are great when it may require the transducer to be moved around to find the best location. Here's link to Cabelas Site for Mounting board 4" x 12" should be big enough: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/Boating-Electronics/Sonar-Accessories|/pc/104794380/c/104707080/sc/104587380/Cabelas-Transducer-Mounting-Plates/701430.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fboating-boating-electronics-sonar-accessories%2F_%2FN-1100523%2FNo-48%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104587380%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104794380%253Bcat104707080%26WTz_stype%3DGNP&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104794380%3Bcat104707080%3Bcat104587380
THe transducer will need to be just under the bottom of the boat to get readings on speed. I would try to mount 15" to the side to prevent aeration of the water by the transducer and effect the cooling of the motor.

 

[Fastwin]

Doug, Thank you for the reply! I remember talking to you earlier about the SONAR unit I bought.

I've read other suggestions on other sites about that thing from Cabelas and I don't feel like it would match the character of the boat.

I think what I'm going to do is mount the unit as low as possible. The new Down Imaging transducer appears to be longer, thinner, and more narrow than the traditional transom transducer (see image). Once I get the unit I will stick it up with some tape and take pictures to see what you all suggest.

What happens when the transducer gets air under it? Is there just a gap in display? Worst case scenario I'll just have to live with not getting a reading at full-speed.

 

[Doug V]

What happen is aerated water is you No readings at all.

 

[Fastwin]

FINALLY! That crazy Humminbird 596c HD Down Imaging unit shipped out. Bass Pro and Humminbird were about to put me on the Do Not Call list emoEvil

According to FedEx it should be here Tuesday. Stay tuned after the break for more photos of the installation.