Transducer installation

boaterholic

boaterholic

Active Member
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Jan 2, 2021
445
Welaka, FL
Boat Info
2005 420 Sedan Bridge
Engines
Diamond Performance Series 430HP 6CTA 8.3M's
I need to install a new transducer to get more than just digital depth.
As opposed to the typical “football” shaped large transducer has anyone installed one of the large, round flush mounts with tilted elements?
The boat only has one small round transducer installed for just digital depth. It is located just aft of the forward engine room bulkhead and I think right at the keel line. Where would be a recommended location to put a larger 1kw transducer for a second installation?

Thank you
 
boaterholic said:
I need to install a new transducer to get more than just digital depth.
As opposed to the typical “football” shaped large transducer has anyone installed one of the large, round flush mounts with tilted elements?
The boat only has one small round transducer installed for just digital depth. It is located just aft of the forward engine room bulkhead and I think right at the keel line. Where would be a recommended location to put a larger 1kw transducer for a second installation?

Thank you
Click to expand...

I have an Airmar B60 in my boat that's a dual 50/200KHz. It's mounted slightly outboard of the depth transducer for the tridata. Same general area. Works well. They are recommended to go in front of the engines to avoid turbulence..
 
Yes, have done it. Your signature doesn't list your boat, but it depends largely on what boat you have and whether or not your bilge floor is solid or has a void between the bilge floor and the hull. Just has to go somewhere where there is clean water underneath.
 
Lazy Daze said:
Yes, have done it. Your signature doesn't list your boat, but it depends largely on what boat you have and whether or not your bilge floor is solid or has a void between the bilge floor and the hull. Just has to go somewhere where there is clean water underneath.
Click to expand...
Sorry I left that info out. I am in the process of buying a 2005 420 Sedan Bridge.

I was interested in the tilted element flush transducers because since they are flush to outside of hull, barely any drag in comparison to the "football" shaped large transducers that protrude over 2" into flow of water. The primary concern is whether it's ok to drill such a large hole for the tilted element flush mounts. I think it's about 3 3/4" diameter so quite large.
 
The hole doesn't concern me. But if you have a solid hull bottom, you can glue the element to the floor and not even worry about cutting a hole. Also, I wouldn't make your decision based on drag - the miniscule difference between the two is not going to be noticed.
 
boaterholic said:
Sorry I left that info out. I am in the process of buying a 2005 420 Sedan Bridge.

I was interested in the tilted element flush transducers because since they are flush to outside of hull, barely any drag in comparison to the "football" shaped large transducers that protrude over 2" into flow of water. The primary concern is whether it's ok to drill such a large hole for the tilted element flush mounts. I think it's about 3 3/4" diameter so quite large.
Click to expand...

Perfectly fine as long as installed correctly, meaning if its in a solid bottom (I suspect a 2005 DB is) its just a matter or drilling the hole and making sure the correct type and qty of sealant is applied (probably 3M 5200). If you install in a cored section (may not be an issue on your boat) then you have to make sure the core is properly sealed (typically a sleeve or resin in installed first) and then the transducer can be installed.

A good yard will be familiar.
 
Here's a old picture showing the Airmar B60 20* thru hull installed. Its about 2' off centerline.

20201025_181353.jpg
 
I’ve done a bunch of transducers but have been in smaller solid hulls. Was not sure if on the Sea Ray’s there was a preferred area to install and did not know if these were cited hulls. Also was not sure about the extra large hole size of the bigger transducer.
 
boaterholic said:
Is that installation on your Sundancer?
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Yes. 2001 410 Sundancer. Originally hooked up to a Raymarine DSM 300 fish finder, but have it connected directly to an Axiom 12 RV. Works fine. This is a 600 W setup. Axiom has 600W internal sounder, B60 is 600W as well.
 
boaterholic said:
I’ve done a bunch of transducers but have been in smaller solid hulls. Was not sure if on the Sea Ray’s there was a preferred area to install and did not know if these were cited hulls. Also was not sure about the extra large hole size of the bigger transducer.
Click to expand...

Call Sea Ray, they have the details to your specific hull and can probably tell you best location.
 
Anyone know if Sea Ray customer service can tell by hull number if it’s cored or solid?
 
dtfeld said:
Yes. 2001 410 Sundancer. Originally hooked up to a Raymarine DSM 300 fish finder, but have it connected directly to an Axiom 12 RV. Works fine.
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Ok. How are the new Axiom’s compared to the old C120’s? I read the ok’d DSM’s were troublesome. And I’m guessing the older open array radar connected to the C120 probably won’t work with the Axiom?
 
boaterholic said:
Ok. How are the new Axiom’s compared to the old C120’s? I read the ok’d DSM’s were troublesome. And I’m guessing the older open array radar connected to the C120 probably won’t work with the Axiom?
Click to expand...

The old open arrays are not compatible with the new generation MFD. However, if you have space at the helm, run the radar on your C120, and add the Axiom for navigation.

Depending on you mission, the new(er) radars can be pretty reasonable. Are you setting up for some fishing or cruising?

I'm a big fan of the new Quantum 2 for cruising. If fishing the HD Color have a bird mode. if budget allows, the new Magnum is the gold standard.

Lots of recent discussions about electronics, Raymarine vs Garmin, radars, autopilots etc.
 
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Does anyone have any idea of what degree Airmar I would need for a 91' 350DA? Going to be replacing the existing thru hull ducer that's already in place.
 
As others have mentioned, you can contact Sea Ray. I am thinking about adding a 2nd thru hull in my 360DA, so I emailed them last week and they emailed me a PDF drawing with the recommended spots to add thru hulls. They responded very fast. I emailed them late one afternoon and had an email from them the next morning.
 
Bottom Line said:
As others have mentioned, you can contact Sea Ray. I am thinking about adding a 2nd thru hull in my 360DA, so I emailed them last week and they emailed me a PDF drawing with the recommended spots to add thru hulls. They responded very fast. I emailed them late one afternoon and had an email from them the next morning.
Click to expand...
What was there email? Thank you
 
Received a quick response back from Sea-Ray as well, unfortunately they didn't have any info on my particular model on what transducer was installed when the boat was built. They did however say, after they reviewed the location of the transducer placement on my boat their best guess is a 0 degree.
 
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