Hey Bowhunter, first I gotta say don’t be discouraged by this transducer problem. It’s very common to have problems keeping a bottom lock while on plane. It looks like a nice job on the original install, very neat appearance wise. This says alot about how well the original owner took care of the boat.
Before you buy another transducer I would suggest removing yours off of the transom and just placing it in the bilge. This has to be at the bottom of the hull. Can you access the area forward of the garboard drain plug? If so you can just place it in there (standing upright) and add a few gallons of water to cover the unit. Test this out first and if it works you can silicone it in place.
I have done this on my past 3 boats and it works very well.
Hey Bowhunter, first I gotta say don’t be discouraged by this transducer problem. It’s very common to have problems keeping a bottom lock while on plane. It looks like a nice job on the original install, very neat appearance wise. This says alot about how well the original owner took care of the boat.
Before you buy another transducer I would suggest removing yours off of the transom and just placing it in the bilge. This has to be at the bottom of the hull. Can you access the area forward of the garboard drain plug? If so you can just place it in there (standing upright) and add a few gallons of water to cover the unit. Test this out first and if it works you can silicone it in place.
I have done this on my past 3 boats and it works very well.
Dorado II
Carolina Skiff 25DLV
I can do this, but mounting it in the bilge area permanently will prevent the side imaging from working. I have made another bracket that will mount to the original spot but allow me to move the transducer to starboard closer to the trim tab and more into that flat area of the hull. Going to try this configuration today maybe.
Ranger Bay 2000
Yamaha F150
Molon Labe!
Until you have loved a dog, part of your soul remains unawakened. - Anatole France (paraphrased)
Riley, you will always be in my heart, I will always love and remember you. Thank you Lord for the 8 years.
RIP my Puppy Dog 10/15/2004 - 1/14/2013
That sucks…I have a similar hull design and this is where I placed my Lowrance transducer. My boat does about 43 wide open and I still get a great picture at that speed. I know you were talking about moving it centerline and thats what I did. I figured it was far enough back from the lower unit and at the lowest point on the boat…
2012 Scout 177 / Yami 70
I have thought about this setup for myself, but 2 things concern me. First is the proximity of this location on my boat to the rear roller on my trailer. This spot on my boat is forward of that roller and I see the potential to hit it. Second is the recommendation from Humminbird to mount the transducer outside of the prop rotation by at least 15" to prevent any interference even though I think that it would be far enough forward that this would not be a factor. Still may give it a try, though. Thanks.
Ranger Bay 2000
Yamaha F150
Molon Labe!
Until you have loved a dog, part of your soul remains unawakened. - Anatole France (paraphrased)
Riley, you will always be in my heart, I will always love and remember you. Thank you Lord for the 8 years.
RIP my Puppy Dog 10/15/2004 - 1/14/2013
bowhunter
I dont mean to sound demeaning, but the boat manufacturer and the sonar manufacturer are both telling you the same thing.
the transducer you have is made for side imaging and wont work on plane.
moving it isnt going to help.
the transducer in redtides pic isnt a side image unit, its simply a “skimmer” transducer
what is the cost of a simple 2d unit? I dont think they cost but about $50
you could mount that one to the inside of the hull, and problem solved
Agreed. If you get a lot of aeration at full speed the air bubbles will greatly decrease, if not completely interrupt, the transducers ability to see bottom.
quote:Originally posted by hairball
I think the problem is the hull and not the transducer. With a full pad and a large first liffting strake the hull is designed to create a lot of lift and run primarily on those surfaces on plane. The area outside of that will see a lot of aeration.
I would call Ranger and ask them what they recommend for transducer placment.
bowhunter
I dont mean to sound demeaning, but the boat manufacturer and the sonar manufacturer are both telling you the same thing.
the transducer you have is made for side imaging and wont work on plane.
moving it isnt going to help.
the transducer in redtides pic isnt a side image unit, its simply a “skimmer” transducer
what is the cost of a simple 2d unit? I dont think they cost but about $50
you could mount that one to the inside of the hull, and problem solved
Funny that you suggest this. When I sold my other boat, I had a decent Lowrance color depth finder mounted on the bow. I kept that unit with the intention of mounting it on the bow of this boat. I may have to use it as you suggest. But I am just not convinced that the 998c SI unit won’t read bottom at speed. Why manufacture such an expensive and advanced sonar unit if it won’t work like you would expect it to? They should include the extra transducer and cable if it is needed to make the unit read bottom on plane. Remember, I don’t expect the side imaging to work on plane, just want it to read bottom.
Ranger Bay 2000
Yamaha F150
Molon Labe!
Until you have loved a dog, part of your soul remains unawakened. - Anatole France (paraphrased)
Riley, you will always be in my heart, I will always love and remember you. Thank you Lord for the 8 years.
RIP my Puppy Dog 10/15/2004 - 1/14/2013
i wasnt suggesting a 2nd complete unit
i was suggesting the 2nd transducer that is just the 2-d transducer so your existing unit will work like you want it to
I have no idea why the powers to be at humminbird do what they do, maybe its to keep the cost down for guys who already have a “depth finder” and just want sidescan?
Took the boat to my local lake armed with various tools and ideas to deal with my transducer problem. I used a c-clamp to attach a 2x4 to my transom in various places. With this, I could move the transducer to most any location on the transom I desired. I could not find any place where the transducer would read the bottom on plane. I took the boat out of the water 4 times and moved the transducer. I guess that my only recourse is to purchase a high speed 2D transducer and splitter cable from Humminbird. They have one for use only on side imaging units like mine. This must be an acknowledgement by them that they know they have a problem with these units. About the only good thing that’s come out of this experience is the idea about using a 2x4 clamped to transom. Thanks Curtis for that one.
Ranger Bay 2000
Yamaha F150
Molon Labe!
Until you have loved a dog, part of your soul remains unawakened. - Anatole France (paraphrased)
Riley, you will always be in my heart, I will always love and remember you. Thank you Lord for the 8 years.
RIP my Puppy Dog 10/15/2004 - 1/14/2013
