21-Footer: SONAR Transducer Mounting Location

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: The Whaler GAM or General Area
  21-Footer: SONAR Transducer Mounting Location

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   21-Footer: SONAR Transducer Mounting Location

1974revenge posted 04-06-2010 08:37 AM ET (US)
[What is] the best place to mount a transom-mount SONAR transducer to a 21-foot banana hull? I currently have it mounted to the starboard sponson but lose readings at any planing speeds other than idle.
Thanks
jimh posted 04-06-2010 09:49 AM ET (US)
Mount the transducer closer to the keel center line. You describe the transducer coming out of the water or into airy water.
Tom W Clark posted 04-06-2010 10:09 AM ET (US)
There is some good information from the Boston Whaler Owner's Manual reproduced here:
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/manual18-25/electrical. html#fathometer
2manyboats posted 04-06-2010 10:33 AM ET (US)
Ours is mounted on the port side directly under the splash well drain.
1974revenge posted 04-06-2010 02:26 PM ET (US)
Thanks all for the info...I will pull the boat..remount and post the new results.
jimh posted 04-06-2010 03:14 PM ET (US)
Also see in the REFERENCE section this article:
SONAR Transducers
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/sonarTransducer.html
1974revenge posted 04-07-2010 08:30 PM ET (US)
Ok, repositioned the transducer to below the drain holes but still lose reading at any speed over fast idle.
I think it is not just a tweaking/adjustment issue as I am about as low as you can go on the hull.
2manyboats...can you share more detail on running angle and how far below the hull does your transducer sit.
Thanks
2manyboats posted 04-09-2010 01:36 PM ET (US)
I would think the installation instructions specific to the transducer would be important as to angle and distance below the bottom of the boat. That said my depth find is a Hummingbird and the transducer is depth and temp only. It is shaped like a flattened bullet. The lower surface is about 1/2 inch below the hull and the trailing edge of the transducer is probably 10 degrees lower than the front. Because these transducers ride low the are on a kick-up bracket. We have the same unit on our Montauk and it is set up about the same way and both units read well at all speeds.
1974revenge posted 04-09-2010 02:57 PM ET (US)
Thanks, I meant to say that I believe it is a tweaking/adjustment issue now that I have it mounted at the appropriate location.
I changed the angle and can now get a solid read at just over planing speed..around 15 mph..I lose it after that though, so will do a few more adjustments and retest.
Fishmore posted 04-10-2010 01:19 AM ET (US)
You might also try to increase the transducer ping rate and sensitivity. On your Fishfinder menu settings you should find these adjustments.

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: 21-Footer: SONAR Transducer Mounting Location
1974revenge	posted 04-06-2010 08:37 AM ET (US) [What is] the best place to mount a transom-mount SONAR transducer to a 21-foot banana hull? I currently have it mounted to the starboard sponson but lose readings at any planing speeds other than idle. Thanks
jimh	posted 04-06-2010 09:49 AM ET (US) Mount the transducer closer to the keel center line. You describe the transducer coming out of the water or into airy water.
Tom W Clark	posted 04-06-2010 10:09 AM ET (US) There is some good information from the Boston Whaler Owner's Manual reproduced here: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/manual18-25/electrical. html#fathometer
2manyboats	posted 04-06-2010 10:33 AM ET (US) Ours is mounted on the port side directly under the splash well drain.
1974revenge	posted 04-06-2010 02:26 PM ET (US) Thanks all for the info...I will pull the boat..remount and post the new results.
jimh	posted 04-06-2010 03:14 PM ET (US) Also see in the REFERENCE section this article: SONAR Transducers http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/sonarTransducer.html
1974revenge	posted 04-07-2010 08:30 PM ET (US) Ok, repositioned the transducer to below the drain holes but still lose reading at any speed over fast idle. I think it is not just a tweaking/adjustment issue as I am about as low as you can go on the hull. 2manyboats...can you share more detail on running angle and how far below the hull does your transducer sit. Thanks
2manyboats	posted 04-09-2010 01:36 PM ET (US) I would think the installation instructions specific to the transducer would be important as to angle and distance below the bottom of the boat. That said my depth find is a Hummingbird and the transducer is depth and temp only. It is shaped like a flattened bullet. The lower surface is about 1/2 inch below the hull and the trailing edge of the transducer is probably 10 degrees lower than the front. Because these transducers ride low the are on a kick-up bracket. We have the same unit on our Montauk and it is set up about the same way and both units read well at all speeds.
1974revenge	posted 04-09-2010 02:57 PM ET (US) Thanks, I meant to say that I believe it is a tweaking/adjustment issue now that I have it mounted at the appropriate location. I changed the angle and can now get a solid read at just over planing speed..around 15 mph..I lose it after that though, so will do a few more adjustments and retest.
Fishmore	posted 04-10-2010 01:19 AM ET (US) You might also try to increase the transducer ping rate and sensitivity. On your Fishfinder menu settings you should find these adjustments.