Install transom transducer

[jim_m5]

upgrading to new raymarine radar and gps. will be leaving existing raytheon dept finder. so i am told to install a transom transducer for the new unit. an in-hull or thru-hull are not good options due to interference on the frequency because I want to keep the original dept finder.

my question is how can i run the wire with the boat in the water? it is too pricey to pull the boat to just do this. would it be tacky to run the wire up thru the cockpit bilge outlet?

 

[Lazy Daze]

What's your plan to install the actual transducer while the boat is in the water?

 

[jim_m5]

What's your plan to install the actual transducer while the boat is in the water?

i would simply screw the transducer into transom below water line and then run wire up thru the bilge outline into engine bilge. there is a shallow beach where I can stand and do this in 4 ft of water.

 

[Lazy Daze]

OK, a couple things to pass along...

-- You can not just screw it in. A properly sized pilot hole needs to be drilled, along with a countersunk hole to avoid cracking the gelcoat. Then sealant is applied, then the screw. Best practice is to first drill the hold oversized, then fill with epoxy, then come back and do the pilot hole/countersink/sealant/screw.

-- The transducer cable needs to be secured every 12" to 18" inches with cable clamps. If you run the ducer cable through your bilge output, you will affect the efficiency of a very important feature of your boat. First, from cutting down the effective size of the bilge hose, but most importantly, you will be left with a hole in the bilge hose since the cable needs to get back out of the hose. You will also have the transducer wire running around the side of the boat where it is much more likely to get snagged.

This one is best left till you pull the boat for another reason.

And, yes, it would look a little tacky.

 

[jim_m5]

thanks Dennis...

 

[Lazy Daze]

Your welcome, Jim. If I knew of a way, I'd tell you - but there's just no way of doing that doesn't introduce at least some water into the transom core. I would do it in an "emergency", and work quickly and have all the right stuff ready to go - but only in a emergency situation. Better safe than sorry.