Transducer Problem

Carl

Carl

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Mounted a new hummingbird on the duck boat last week. When I ran it for the first time this weekend, a geyser of water is coming from the transducer up the transom, some of which is coming over the transom into the boat.
I mounted it to the left of the motor (looking at the stern), where the previous one was mounted.
Any thoughts on why I am getting the geyser? My first hunch is the tranducer is too far below the hull or too close to the motor.
Any advice?

Thanks!
 
My first hunch is the tranducer is too far below the hull
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Carl,

Transducer profiles vary so they will not all be mounted the same. That said, you hunch is most likely the problem (again depending on transducer profile). The older style tranducers were designed to be directly behind the lower edge of the transom. Right up against the back side of the transom, the newer styles not so much.
http://www.bing.com/images/search/?q=Lowrance+Transducer+Installation&cbir=ms&mid=D4FD84D3E41D73A36376543C13A9B98D12F374CE&vw=b78ea%203571b%20b4e7d%20a1636%20bf0b0%20ae7c8%203392e%2069618%203d2ed%20acf69%204c6b5%20b4f6a%2035444%203556b%203c281%2035928%20baf4f%203c300%20b6644%2034b42%203474135a1234a383484b358f83d1aca1660a16353c7955d63ea596d563aa27d93a17c2356d7a22ef354bb354ae3daf235647&rxc=15&view=detail&id=09B88936D6A7AFEF187B543C13A9B98D12F374CE#
 
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Yep, re-read the book and remeasured: had the transducer way to low. Cant even use the two holes to just raise it up, have to remount the whole thing.
So how do I plug the holes in my aluminum transom?
1. J-B Weld?
2. Stainless bolts, nuts & washes with silicone?
3. Some other way?

Thanks!
 
Carl,
3m's 5200 sticks and is water tight in almost every situation. Or could drill and tap and put in some stainless machine screw. Seems like every one that goes into aluminum ends up f(&ing cold welded into place through electrolysis . Actually its not a good idea as it will deteriorate the aluminum in time.
Frank
 
Carl, The best way to mount a transducer is to first mount a 1in. thick block of plastic like hdpe. Once the block is screwed and 5200 to the transom then you can mount the transducer. If you locate it wrong or you have to replase it you just redrill in the plastic block instesd of your transom. Use screws short enough to attach the transducer without going into the transom. This way you can relocate the transducer all you want and never breach the transom.

Tom.
 
Number 2 Carl. I did the same thing, years ago, to my dad's boat. I realized it was not going to work after the first trip and remounted it, just putting some sealer in the old holes. Next day we were 25 miles down in the marsh and taking on water.

You will not pick up the bottom at speed if you mount that transducer outside the hull. Is there absolutely no way in hell to mount it inside? If there is; that's what you should do. Just bury it in a mass of silicone sealer on the bottom, unless you have some epoxy. Epoxy will work even better and last longer. My current saltwater fishing boat has a thick fibreglass bottom, and my transducer is inside imbedded in epoxy, and I have a beautiful picture of the bottom with the throttle in the corner.

Ed.
 
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You will not pick up the bottom at speed if you mount that transducer outside the hull.
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I beg to differ. A properly positioned transducer mounted to the back of the transom should not lose bottom reading.
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Carl, The best way to mount a transducer is to first mount a 1in. thick block of plastic like hdpe. Once the block is screwed and 5200 to the transom then you can mount the transducer. If you locate it wrong or you have to replase it you just redrill in the plastic block instesd of your transom. Use screws short enough to attach the transducer without going into the transom. This way you can relocate the transducer all you want and never breach the transom.

Tom.
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I was actually thinking along this line, I have some plastic trim boards I can mount, I figure if I coat the back of the board with sealant and place it over the old holes, they should seal well.
 
Going how fast Dave? I can't remember how many of those I attempted to mount outside the hull, and never did I pick up the bottom going over 25mph. It probably depends some on the hull as well.

Ed.
 
Hey Carl, I just read your post. I know this problem well. It is well known on bass boat forums. Humminbird transducers mounts leave a gap between the transducer and the mounting bracket. Some models provide a little plug that goes in that gap. However, it can easily get "blown" out as you go on plane. The quick fix that turned out permanant for me was to mount the transducer and then wrap black electrical tape around the mount and transducer and the bolt that passes through the two. the goal is to cover the gap. Also, Humminbird transducers do put up more spray than Lowrance units for some reason. At least that has been my experience with several.

Trip
 
Also, I recommend mounting a plastic block as was previously posted. You can use a piece of Trex, Starboard, or I have even cut a square from an old plastic cutting board.

Trip
 
Going how fast Dave?
Click to expand...

Ed,

I can only personally attest to a speed of 54 MPH but higher speeds are common on many bass boats. As long as the transducer is riding in a good flow of water it will do what it's supposed to do. Some areas of a hull may produce bubbles. If the transducer is in that area of disrupted water flow, it will not be able to get a good reading, regardless of whether it is inside the hull or outside the hull.
 
Related transducer question, has anyone successfully mounted a transducer inside an aluminum hull? I've heard it can be done but have any of you succeeded and how did you do it?

Scott
 
Carl
I do not know what speed you want to use the depth finder at. If there are rivets on the bottom of the hull to attach the transom, the turbulence of the water flowing across the bottom may cause a problem with get a good return signal at higher speeds. I took a peace of aluminum channel from a scraped sliding awning system for a motor home. I mounted it to the transom and mounted the transducer to the square stock that slid inside the channel with screw knob to hold the transducer above the bottom of the boat. When I want to use it at lower speeds, I loosen the knob and lower it down to a stop on the square stock for the correct position to use it. I can slide the square stock , with the transducer, completely out for storage along with the depth finder.
 
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