SONAR Transom Mount Transducer For Inboard Boat

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Author Topic:   SONAR Transom Mount Transducer For Inboard Boat

whalercop posted 12-30-2010 10:56 PM ET (US)
I plan on installing an older Garmin chartplotter and sounder on a Hatteras 28 that my father is restoring. I already have a [transom]-mount transducer, but was wondering if I should and could use this type of transducer for [a boat without outboard motors]. With this vessel sitting in a slip most of the time, and rarely moving, I feel that there will be a lot of growth on the transducer that would reduce its effectiveness. I am unsure if I should purchase a thru-hull transducer which is usually used on this type of vessel, or can I get away with the transducer I have for a few years? Any advice would be welcomed.
jimh posted 12-31-2010 12:39 AM ET (US)
On an outboard boat, the propeller is astern of the transducer, so the propeller wash does not affect the transducer. On a boat with an inboard engine and propeller shafts, there will be turbulence from the propeller wash that will affect a transom-mount transducer. You will have to mount the transducer away from the propeller wash. The transducer will not be able to shoot through the propeller wash.
whalercop posted 12-31-2010 09:25 AM ET (US)
Thanks Jim, I did not even think of that until you mentioned it, but you are 100% correct, I guess I will have to purchase a thru-hull transducer.
Jefecinco posted 12-31-2010 10:52 AM ET (US)
Whalercop,
There's no reason you can't use a transom mount transducer (xducer) on an inboard powered boat. If the boat has twin engines the xducer can be mounted mid-transom. If the boat has a single engine the xducer can be mounted on either side depending upon propeller rotation. I believe you can get some guidance at Garmin's web site.
As to fouling, a through hull xducer is no less prone to fouling than a transom mount and is more difficult to clean before getting underway. When I kept my boat with a transom mount xducer in a slip full time I found a few seconds with a toilet brush did a good job of cleaning the xducer. Any tenacious growth would soon be gone while underway.
As I now only trailer boat I'm no longer up to speed on antifouling coatings, but I seem to recall a coating recommended for xducers that was compounded with no metals in the compound. Antifouling would only be a consideration if barnacles are a problem where your father will slip his boat.
Happy New Year.
Butch
jimh posted 01-02-2011 06:55 PM ET (US)
A SONAR transducer is not self-aware of what kind of boat it is mounted to. A SONAR transducer will work as long as it is able to see the bottom and does not have aerated water passing under it. Acoustic energy does not pass through aerated water very well.

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Author	Topic: SONAR Transom Mount Transducer For Inboard Boat
whalercop	posted 12-30-2010 10:56 PM ET (US) I plan on installing an older Garmin chartplotter and sounder on a Hatteras 28 that my father is restoring. I already have a [transom]-mount transducer, but was wondering if I should and could use this type of transducer for [a boat without outboard motors]. With this vessel sitting in a slip most of the time, and rarely moving, I feel that there will be a lot of growth on the transducer that would reduce its effectiveness. I am unsure if I should purchase a thru-hull transducer which is usually used on this type of vessel, or can I get away with the transducer I have for a few years? Any advice would be welcomed.
jimh	posted 12-31-2010 12:39 AM ET (US) On an outboard boat, the propeller is astern of the transducer, so the propeller wash does not affect the transducer. On a boat with an inboard engine and propeller shafts, there will be turbulence from the propeller wash that will affect a transom-mount transducer. You will have to mount the transducer away from the propeller wash. The transducer will not be able to shoot through the propeller wash.
whalercop	posted 12-31-2010 09:25 AM ET (US) Thanks Jim, I did not even think of that until you mentioned it, but you are 100% correct, I guess I will have to purchase a thru-hull transducer.
Jefecinco	posted 12-31-2010 10:52 AM ET (US) Whalercop, There's no reason you can't use a transom mount transducer (xducer) on an inboard powered boat. If the boat has twin engines the xducer can be mounted mid-transom. If the boat has a single engine the xducer can be mounted on either side depending upon propeller rotation. I believe you can get some guidance at Garmin's web site. As to fouling, a through hull xducer is no less prone to fouling than a transom mount and is more difficult to clean before getting underway. When I kept my boat with a transom mount xducer in a slip full time I found a few seconds with a toilet brush did a good job of cleaning the xducer. Any tenacious growth would soon be gone while underway. As I now only trailer boat I'm no longer up to speed on antifouling coatings, but I seem to recall a coating recommended for xducers that was compounded with no metals in the compound. Antifouling would only be a consideration if barnacles are a problem where your father will slip his boat. Happy New Year. Butch
jimh	posted 01-02-2011 06:55 PM ET (US) A SONAR transducer is not self-aware of what kind of boat it is mounted to. A SONAR transducer will work as long as it is able to see the bottom and does not have aerated water passing under it. Acoustic energy does not pass through aerated water very well.