I recently purchased a 2017 Sea Hunt Gamefish 27 that came with an airmar B60 transducer, however I am looking to upgrade to something with a little more precision and accuracy. The B60 is thru hull, but I am open to any style and type. The boat is used 99% offshore, split between trolling and bottom fishing. Ideally I get something that will pickup new live bottom structures while riding out to troll each trip. The transducer will be wired to dual NSS evo 12’s. Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated.
I don’t have any suggestions other than the fact that I love my 2012 Gamefish 27. My rig came with Raymarine electronics and I agree that I would also like better precision for the reefs off of Edisto. Good luck.
Do you have a black box sounder already?
I’m running. B75m with my evo2. If yours are evo2’s you won’t need a sounder box to run chirp. I’ve been pretty impressed with mine.
2006 23 SeaCraft, 2008 Suzuki 250.
The Evo2 will push a 600w chirp medium range transducer but that’s about it’s max design.
How deep are you planning on bottom fishing?
With the BSM3(black box) you can maximize your system and see much deeper, but if you don’t plan on fishing deep, there is no need to spend an extra $6k.
A chirp system 600w will be better than what you have currently.
Also our set up with Simrad black box and our original 600w(non-chirp) thru hull allows us to see bait fuzz out deep to 700ft, and mark bottom while running.
Have you spent any time changing gain settings etc with your current system?
I have the evo2’s. I am looking to mainly fish in 600ft or less for bottom; at least for now. Usually in less than 200 foot. I do have some dreams of deep dropping, but not anytime soon. I would like to keep the current sonar on one screen and a chirp on another when anchored up or on spot lock. I played with the gain settings a good bit last trip out and didn’t seem to make much of a difference in performance. When I purchased it from the dealer I was told it was a higher model that it actually is. Quite disappointing, but my mistake for trusting a salesman. I was distracted by the new boat smell.
Figure out how much you can spend and that will decide which way to go.
You could buy a very nice transducer now and eventually get the BSM to push it to the max later.
I am thinking in the 1-2k range. If I’m going to do it I want to do it right.
After some research I am looking at the SIMRAD xSonic SS175M Stainless Steel 20° Tilted Element Thru-Hull Medium CHIRP Transducer. With my evo2’s would they power this? or will I need to add the simrad black box as well?
I’m interested in what you end up doing.
Have you talked to the guys at The GPS Store? They should be able to answer all your questions.
Man o man…where is Phin…We love our Simrad. I will see what the model is.
Great, thanks for the input guys.