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Author Topic:   transducer mounting location on 13' classic

Duckin Whalers posted 06-06-2003 06:39 PM ET (US)
I have a year old hummingbird fishfinder that was given to me when a friend upgraded. He had trouble with it reading accuratly but, I was convinded it was a poor transducer mounting location that caused the problem. On his boat it was over an inch above the bottom of the transom. A dealer install too. It worked fine when the boat was still but, when trolling above a few knots it started have poor readings, to my advantage he upgraded and gave it to me. What is the best location/method to install the transducer on my '72 13'? I don't have the manual and can't find any wiring/mounting diagrams on the web. Thanks
where2 posted 06-07-2003 01:21 AM ET (US)
Drill 4 holes through a 3/4" thick by 4"x6" piece of Starboard (plastic), and mount it to your transom using some flat head 1-1/4" #8 (or larger) screws. Then, get some 3/4" SS Panhead sheet metal screws and mount the transducer to the Starboard block.
The starboard won't rot, and won't mind having 6 different configurations of holes drilled in it as you upgrade units in the future.
Mount the Starboard block toward the centerline of the hull rather than out near the edges to avoid unnecessary bubbles flowing past the transducer. Take a short trip out in the boat and see where the least bubbles appear to be leaving the hull while you're on plane. That's where you want to mount it, and keep the lowest portion of the transducer pushing through 1/2" of water, or more. You'll know when it's too deep, it'll be throwing a spray.
You want to see fun transducers to mount, you should see the 28 pound dual frequency unit I have at work. It's the size of a football...
Duckin Whalers posted 06-07-2003 05:59 PM ET (US)
thanks, I have never mounted one and the adjustability seems to be a major advantage to avoid my friends original problem. I will suggest he do the same with his. I haven't heard back on how his new unit works.
dburton posted 06-08-2003 10:51 PM ET (US)
Where2 gives good advise. Before you do anything, get a chair and sit down behind your 13’ and contemplate both your navel and the curve of your boat’s transom. I mounted my transducer to the starboard side of the centerline but didn’t consider the beautiful curve of the 1976 transom. The transducer comes out at an angle. Duh! It reads OK at slower speeds but at WOT it doesn’t work very well. I believe that it is too close the starboard strake. I haven’t played with very much. I am able to move it both up and down so I may be able to fix it.
The lesson is, pay attention to the sensuous lines of any woman. But when she is a Boston Whaler, it is definitely worth the time to sit in a chair and just stare and think of the possibilities.
Doug

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Author	Topic: transducer mounting location on 13' classic
Duckin Whalers	posted 06-06-2003 06:39 PM ET (US) I have a year old hummingbird fishfinder that was given to me when a friend upgraded. He had trouble with it reading accuratly but, I was convinded it was a poor transducer mounting location that caused the problem. On his boat it was over an inch above the bottom of the transom. A dealer install too. It worked fine when the boat was still but, when trolling above a few knots it started have poor readings, to my advantage he upgraded and gave it to me. What is the best location/method to install the transducer on my '72 13'? I don't have the manual and can't find any wiring/mounting diagrams on the web. Thanks
where2	posted 06-07-2003 01:21 AM ET (US) Drill 4 holes through a 3/4" thick by 4"x6" piece of Starboard (plastic), and mount it to your transom using some flat head 1-1/4" #8 (or larger) screws. Then, get some 3/4" SS Panhead sheet metal screws and mount the transducer to the Starboard block. The starboard won't rot, and won't mind having 6 different configurations of holes drilled in it as you upgrade units in the future. Mount the Starboard block toward the centerline of the hull rather than out near the edges to avoid unnecessary bubbles flowing past the transducer. Take a short trip out in the boat and see where the least bubbles appear to be leaving the hull while you're on plane. That's where you want to mount it, and keep the lowest portion of the transducer pushing through 1/2" of water, or more. You'll know when it's too deep, it'll be throwing a spray. You want to see fun transducers to mount, you should see the 28 pound dual frequency unit I have at work. It's the size of a football...
Duckin Whalers	posted 06-07-2003 05:59 PM ET (US) thanks, I have never mounted one and the adjustability seems to be a major advantage to avoid my friends original problem. I will suggest he do the same with his. I haven't heard back on how his new unit works.
dburton	posted 06-08-2003 10:51 PM ET (US) Where2 gives good advise. Before you do anything, get a chair and sit down behind your 13’ and contemplate both your navel and the curve of your boat’s transom. I mounted my transducer to the starboard side of the centerline but didn’t consider the beautiful curve of the 1976 transom. The transducer comes out at an angle. Duh! It reads OK at slower speeds but at WOT it doesn’t work very well. I believe that it is too close the starboard strake. I haven’t played with very much. I am able to move it both up and down so I may be able to fix it. The lesson is, pay attention to the sensuous lines of any woman. But when she is a Boston Whaler, it is definitely worth the time to sit in a chair and just stare and think of the possibilities. Doug