Mounting SONAR Transducer to Block on Transom

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Author Topic:   Mounting SONAR Transducer to Block on Transom

duckear posted 05-08-2006 02:12 PM ET (US)
Can a piece of KING StarBoard poly sheeting be glued with epoxy to the transom and a SONAR transducer be mounted to it? That way, no holes below waterline and if you need to adjust transducer, no problem, just remount the bracket.
aubv posted 05-08-2006 11:30 PM ET (US)
duckear,
Yes, I installed a transducer on a piece of starboard after I adhered the starboard to the transom. I used 3M 4200 or 5200. After cutting the piece of starboard to size and marking the location on the transom I used 600 grit sand paper on the gel coat and used a razor blade to heavily score the back of the starboard. I then applied the 4200/5200 to both surfaces. Once the starboard was mated to the transom I used blue painters tape in a star pattern to hold the starboard in place while the 4200/5200 cured. The transducer was then installed as per mfg. directions.
The transducer has now been in place 3 years and a couple of thousand miles by water.
jimh posted 05-08-2006 11:46 PM ET (US)
I noticed that the new EDGEWATER boats are being delivered with a block of material fixed to the transom for the purpose of providing a mounting area for SONAR transducers.
I am not certain that a material like KING StarBoard can be adhered with epoxy. You may find that a special adhesive is needed.
montauk steve posted 05-09-2006 01:36 AM ET (US)
What is KING StarBoard made of? What type of plastic? Does anyone know? I am thinking about buying apiece of either UHMW PE or LDMW PE and use that to bond to the transome and then attach the SONAR transducer to that.
Steve
bsmotril posted 05-09-2006 07:36 AM ET (US)
Starboard is linear poly-ethylene plastic with UV light inhibitors added to prolong its' life under sun exposure. Nothing really bonds to it chemically. But, you can get a good bond to a boat hull with 3m 5200 via a mechanical bond if the reqr surface of the starboard is prepared correctly. I mill shallow dovetail grooves in the back with a router. The undercut sides of the grooves hang on to the cured 5200 which in turn bonds to the gelcoat just fine. BillS
PeteB88 posted 05-09-2006 11:58 AM ET (US)
It is extremely difficult to glue UHMW in my experience or any poly-e for that matter unless you have a reliable technique/glue. IF you do let me know. thx
bsmotril posted 05-09-2006 03:10 PM ET (US)
My technique is reliable. I've done multiple boats this way, some are 10 plus years without a bond failure. My technique is outlined in detail in the archives of this site. Search on Starboard plus Transducer + 5200.
BillS
jimh posted 05-10-2006 12:37 AM ET (US)
This tournament fishing boat has been equipped with a large plate on the transom at the bottom on the starboard side for the purpose of mounting SONAR transducers. It also has a water pickup.

Royboy posted 05-10-2006 08:06 AM ET (US)
Jimh the plate in the picture is also screwed on, which is how I did mine. I also covered the entire plate with 5200, but two 1/4 - 20 screws do the lions share of making sure it stays put.
Roy
Royboy posted 05-11-2006 11:02 AM ET (US)
Upon re-reading my last post, I should clarify that I covered the entire surface between the plate and the transom with 3M 5200. I also sealed the two screws with same.
Roy
duckear posted 05-11-2006 05:42 PM ET (US)
That looks good. Anybody got any scraps or starboard they want to sell or ideas on a good place I can order a small piece?
thanks!

Royboy posted 05-12-2006 03:28 PM ET (US)
email me your mailing address and I'll send you a piece.
Roy
PeteB88 posted 05-22-2006 12:02 AM ET (US)
Thanks for the procedure using 5200 to bond poly - E
appreciate it!

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Author	Topic: Mounting SONAR Transducer to Block on Transom
duckear	posted 05-08-2006 02:12 PM ET (US) Can a piece of KING StarBoard poly sheeting be glued with epoxy to the transom and a SONAR transducer be mounted to it? That way, no holes below waterline and if you need to adjust transducer, no problem, just remount the bracket.
aubv	posted 05-08-2006 11:30 PM ET (US) duckear, Yes, I installed a transducer on a piece of starboard after I adhered the starboard to the transom. I used 3M 4200 or 5200. After cutting the piece of starboard to size and marking the location on the transom I used 600 grit sand paper on the gel coat and used a razor blade to heavily score the back of the starboard. I then applied the 4200/5200 to both surfaces. Once the starboard was mated to the transom I used blue painters tape in a star pattern to hold the starboard in place while the 4200/5200 cured. The transducer was then installed as per mfg. directions. The transducer has now been in place 3 years and a couple of thousand miles by water.
jimh	posted 05-08-2006 11:46 PM ET (US) I noticed that the new EDGEWATER boats are being delivered with a block of material fixed to the transom for the purpose of providing a mounting area for SONAR transducers. I am not certain that a material like KING StarBoard can be adhered with epoxy. You may find that a special adhesive is needed.
montauk steve	posted 05-09-2006 01:36 AM ET (US) What is KING StarBoard made of? What type of plastic? Does anyone know? I am thinking about buying apiece of either UHMW PE or LDMW PE and use that to bond to the transome and then attach the SONAR transducer to that. Steve
bsmotril	posted 05-09-2006 07:36 AM ET (US) Starboard is linear poly-ethylene plastic with UV light inhibitors added to prolong its' life under sun exposure. Nothing really bonds to it chemically. But, you can get a good bond to a boat hull with 3m 5200 via a mechanical bond if the reqr surface of the starboard is prepared correctly. I mill shallow dovetail grooves in the back with a router. The undercut sides of the grooves hang on to the cured 5200 which in turn bonds to the gelcoat just fine. BillS
PeteB88	posted 05-09-2006 11:58 AM ET (US) It is extremely difficult to glue UHMW in my experience or any poly-e for that matter unless you have a reliable technique/glue. IF you do let me know. thx
bsmotril	posted 05-09-2006 03:10 PM ET (US) My technique is reliable. I've done multiple boats this way, some are 10 plus years without a bond failure. My technique is outlined in detail in the archives of this site. Search on Starboard plus Transducer + 5200. BillS
jimh	posted 05-10-2006 12:37 AM ET (US) This tournament fishing boat has been equipped with a large plate on the transom at the bottom on the starboard side for the purpose of mounting SONAR transducers. It also has a water pickup.
Royboy	posted 05-10-2006 08:06 AM ET (US) Jimh the plate in the picture is also screwed on, which is how I did mine. I also covered the entire plate with 5200, but two 1/4 - 20 screws do the lions share of making sure it stays put. Roy
Royboy	posted 05-11-2006 11:02 AM ET (US) Upon re-reading my last post, I should clarify that I covered the entire surface between the plate and the transom with 3M 5200. I also sealed the two screws with same. Roy
duckear	posted 05-11-2006 05:42 PM ET (US) That looks good. Anybody got any scraps or starboard they want to sell or ideas on a good place I can order a small piece? thanks!
Royboy	posted 05-12-2006 03:28 PM ET (US) email me your mailing address and I'll send you a piece. Roy
PeteB88	posted 05-22-2006 12:02 AM ET (US) Thanks for the procedure using 5200 to bond poly - E appreciate it!