Thru Hull Transponder Questions

Sam Bacon

New Member
Jul 11, 2022
9
Boat Info
2006 Sea Ray 200 Select
Engines
MerCruiser 5.0L MPI with Alpha stern drive
I have a Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 73sv installed on my '06 SeaRay 200 Select. I have a "in-hull" Garmin transponder installed but thought about installing a Thru Hull. My questions are:
  1. Will it be quicker response and more accurate than the in hull and the one on the dash of the SeaRay for depth readings?
  2. Is this one that you would recommend? I don't really fish much so it is just for depth readings. https://www.thegpsstore.com/Marine-...0M-Thru-Hull-CHIRP-12-Degree-Transducer-8-Pin
  3. Is the install difficult? What location do you recommend?
  4. What else should I know!
Thank you for helping out a new boat owner...!
 
I looked ip the specific unit you mentioned on the Garmin website.
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/690333/pn/010-02519-01#specs
The specs say a twelve pin transducer port.

If you are running a factory depth finder you likely already have a thru hull transducer installed for it. That may be causing interference with the Garmin if the transducers are mounted near one another. Try unplugging the factory depth gauge and see if the Garmin works better.

Properly mounted you should have acceptable performance from any of the mounting locations in shallow water less than 300 feet deep.

As far as which transducer and difficulty of the installation, I’d say you will have a better result with a tilted element greater than the 12* one you have in the link. A 20* model will be better directionally with your boat.

The factory in dash depth finder on my 205 was not very reliable and I had BOE marine install an airmar b60 20* transducer in its place. The technician told me he really fought to remove the factory thru hull transducer as it was imbedded with 5200 sealant. Removal of the old transducer was the worst part of the job. After that prep and installation of the b60 was straightforward and quick. If you already have the thru hull in place I would hesitate to cut another hole as the old transducer will likely be in a perfect location.

Where are you located? I would not recommend doing a thru hull transducer installation yourself unless you absolutely have no choice. A transom mount is a much simpler do it yourself job. Having the thru hull is cleaner and does work better when running on plane compared to a transom mount. The reading is also centered more under the boat rather than behind it so there are some advantages to having a thru hull transducer.
 

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I would confirm what you already have for the in dash depth finder and work form there. My preference would be a single transducer feeding both units, if at all possible. Less holes in the boat, the better. The install is fairly easy so long as you have the gonads to drill a hole in your boat. :)

If you did go with a transom mount per above, I would take the extra time to over drill the mount holes and fill with epoxy to ensure no leakage into the transom core.
 
I looked ip the specific unit you mentioned on the Garmin website.
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/690333/pn/010-02519-01#specs
The specs say a twelve pin transducer port.

If you are running a factory depth finder you likely already have a thru hull transducer installed for it. That may be causing interference with the Garmin if the transducers are mounted near one another. Try unplugging the factory depth gauge and see if the Garmin works better.

Properly mounted you should have acceptable performance from any of the mounting locations in shallow water less than 300 feet deep.

As far as which transducer and difficulty of the installation, I’d say you will have a better result with a tilted element greater than the 12* one you have in the link. A 20* model will be better directionally with your boat.

The factory in dash depth finder on my 205 was not very reliable and I had BOE marine install an airmar b60 20* transducer in its place. The technician told me he really fought to remove the factory thru hull transducer as it was imbedded with 5200 sealant. Removal of the old transducer was the worst part of the job. After that prep and installation of the b60 was straightforward and quick. If you already have the thru hull in place I would hesitate to cut another hole as the old transducer will likely be in a perfect location.

Where are you located? I would not recommend doing a thru hull transducer installation yourself unless you absolutely have no choice. A transom mount is a much simpler do it yourself job. Having the thru hull is cleaner and does work better when running on plane compared to a transom mount. The reading is also centered more under the boat rather than behind it so there are some advantages to having a thru hull transducer.

Yes, I believe even for the current in hull transponder I had to have a converter from 8 pin to 12 pin. Good info on the tilt... That could be an an option to just replace the current transponder
I looked ip the specific unit you mentioned on the Garmin website.
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/690333/pn/010-02519-01#specs
The specs say a twelve pin transducer port.

If you are running a factory depth finder you likely already have a thru hull transducer installed for it. That may be causing interference with the Garmin if the transducers are mounted near one another. Try unplugging the factory depth gauge and see if the Garmin works better.

Properly mounted you should have acceptable performance from any of the mounting locations in shallow water less than 300 feet deep.

As far as which transducer and difficulty of the installation, I’d say you will have a better result with a tilted element greater than the 12* one you have in the link. A 20* model will be better directionally with your boat.

The factory in dash depth finder on my 205 was not very reliable and I had BOE marine install an airmar b60 20* transducer in its place. The technician told me he really fought to remove the factory thru hull transducer as it was imbedded with 5200 sealant. Removal of the old transducer was the worst part of the job. After that prep and installation of the b60 was straightforward and quick. If you already have the thru hull in place I would hesitate to cut another hole as the old transducer will likely be in a perfect location.

Where are you located? I would not recommend doing a thru hull transducer installation yourself unless you absolutely have no choice. A transom mount is a much simpler do it yourself job. Having the thru hull is cleaner and does work better when running on plane compared to a transom mount. The reading is also centered more under the boat rather than behind it so there are some advantages to having a thru hull transducer.


Thanks for info and feedback. They current in hull needed an 8 pin to 12 pin adapter from Garmin to connect. If I do replace the current factory transducer from SeaRay with a B60, would it be able to feed both the factory gauge and the Garmin if wired appropriately? I am located in MI and have a mechanic I work with that could probably do the swap or new install.
 
Im not so certain a b60 is your best option for a thru hull transducer. You have a CHIRP sonar that is different than my HDS Lowrance. Give BOE marine a call and ask them what your best transducer options are. They are super knowledgeable.

(800) 643-0655
 
The DST810 smart transducer by Airmar is a NMEA2000 compatible so as long as you can supply a backbone to your MFD Chartplotter you'll be covered for depth,speed and temp.
 

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