Guys,
I got an awesome deal for a side scan sonar unit with HD down imaging. I already have a Garmin 441s, so I intend for this one solely for fish finding purposes. I have read differing accounts about whether or not the side scan units can do anything useful while under way (i.e., on plane). Do any of you guys have one of these, and if so, where did you mount the transducer? I was thinking about mounting it a few inches above the bottom of the boat on the transom. It may be out of the water while under way, but would be more protected (those transducers are pricey). The directions don’t really say one way or the other which is better. Advice much appreciated.
In my experience with them they don’t work well on a plane and the engines block the side scan unless they are trimmed up some, so really only useful at slow speeds. This is on a twin engine Pursuit, we mounted the transducer on the transom in the center between the engines.
Capt. Larry Teuton
912-six55-5674
lteuton at aol dot com
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
I love my side scan, but it won’t do you any good at all on a plane.
It works best when just above idle looking at structure with the motor trimmed about 1/3 up.
It can see through the motor somehow… I don’t know how.
Mount it where ever you want as long as there isn’t a trim tab or transducer just below it. Mine is located beside my skimmer about an inch below it. It was beside it, but I got interference and has to move it a little.
They are much more forgiving than a skimmer.
I bit the bullet and went for thru-hull trans. Mounted aprox 2ft or so
center line in front of engine, my hull design allowed this installation . No interference from anything but no they do not
function well much over a fast idle, clear as bell otherwise. 
I had to learn to interpret the views shown. Have fun,and congrats.
[http://www.militaryappreciationday.org
When you see “Old Glory” waving in the breeze, know that it is the dying breaths of our fallen hero’s that makes it wave.
author unknown