Transom Mount Transducers

[cb32863]

So I have been poking around looking at electronics and I have found that depth and speed systems with transom mounted transducers seem to be less expensive than the thru-hull versions. I am hoping to have myself a 25' boat sometime later this year that I will be sailing on inland lakes in Minnesota and in the Apostle Island area of Lake Superior. Are these a good idea? No worries on bursting any bubbles with a "No" answer. Just wondering if I can save a few bucks or should I just go ahead and spend the money and do the thru-hull work.

Thanks,

CB

[emoney]

Some "puck" transducers will work without the need to drill a thru-hull. However, the problem with the transom mount is twofold; 1) Heeling of the boat can and will cause an inaccurate read & 2) Turbulence from rudder will do the same.

I'm sure you can find people who will say they've mounted their transducers in all kinds of places, but if you want reliability, then the thru-hull is the way to go. Always check ads, if you're looking at used, and make sure both the transducer and the power chords are included. Aftermarket, those can be more expensive than the unit itself.

[LandLocked66c]

I just picked this up, i'll be mounting it inside firing though the hull.

Amazon.com: Norcross Hawkeye D10D Depth Sounder: Electronics

[QuickMick]

for speed you could just use GPS... for depth, I just epoxyed the 'puck' to the hull and get readings just as accurate as my thru hull...

[cb32863]

Thanks for the info everyone, guess I need to do better research on units. That's a good price. Obviously, you can't mount the speed inside... Might then go with GPS as Mick suggests and wait on that.

[QuickMick]

do you fish? this is the unit i installed (while leaving the thu-hull intact) for the money you get more bells and whistles than the 'depth only' version which is about as expensive...

Humminbird Matrix 12 :: Matrix Fishfinders

whatever you go with this install guide is decent. if you epoxy the puck just make sure to kinda squish it into the epoxy with a side to side screw motion to get rid of any bubbles... I stuck mine in a bag of water when determining placement, then clean the glass real good installed... some people use (IIRC) something called plumbers wax or toilet bowl wax for easier removal in the future.

http://www.humminbird.com/PDF/Matrix_FF_install.pdf

[cb32863]

Mick, thanks for the info and links. Not much for fishing, don't tell anyone as I am in Minnesota and that is almost against the law.... Nice to know I have some options that don't require hole drilling.

[QuickMick]

yeah.... the last hole i drilled was an accident.... yes below the waterline.... i was like that dutch kid with his finger in the dyke... no i wasn't in Tijuana.... long story no sinkage just sphincter shrinkage....

[LandLocked66c]

I pondered the fish finder too, but decided I could always add one later. Another drawback of mine is it's limited to 200'. Won't be a problem for me as i'm only concerned about thin water.