Transducer location

[adamsj13]

Hi All. I have a 97 Ranger 487 VS and want to know the best location for the transducer? It currently has a shut thru hull that went bad. Ive heard the external transducers are better. I took a picture of the back of the boat and not sure where to mount the the transducer. The first
Picture is where my guess is above the little X but not positive. And since both sides are at a angle I dont know if this would be a good spot or not. Can anyone help Thanks

[Bill K]

If the old position worked, then put it right in the same area. I believe in the center(of the two x's you show) is the better location for a new one. Bill K

[adamsj13]

The old position is the shoot thru hull, and I've heard the external skimmer transducer is more accurate readings.

[Bill K]

They may be a little more accurate, but mounting them on the outside of the hull/transom causes you to hit them on lot's of stuff and/or bottom. I would go with the shot thru and right in the centerline or alongside the old location. Bill K

[adamsj13]

Thanks Bill on the info. How hard are they to mount shoot thru? Will the skimmer transducer work as a shut thru hull?

[Dave A]

I would go with the thru-hull mount. It is very easy to install. If you can free the old transducer I would mount it in the same location. If not pick a location close by and you can install it there. Basically, you just sand the area down slightly and secure the new transducer with epoxy. Lowrance recommends that you use the epoxy that they sell, however, many marine experts have advised me that any good epoxy will do. I have installed mine using a mutlipurpose marine epoxy and it works great.

Most transducers are thru-hull/skimmer, meaning they will work either way. If you have the users manual for your unit it will likely show you both installation methods.

Thru-hull installation will save you from having to drill holes to mount the transducer and a hole to route the wires.

If you have any additonal questions or need help during the process, let me know.

[ash]

I have done this myself and trust me when I say if you want to save some $$$ and time get the PUCK style for Shoot thru hull no the skimmer style, Lowrance will replace this for you for free if you have the skimmer style with the unit. Wire the unit yourself then take it to C&C and have them actually mount the transucer, unless of course you are use to working with EPOXY and can sand a good surface and garuntee NO AIR BUBBLES air is bad!

At least that was my experiance!

[adamsj13]

I would go with the thru-hull mount. It is very easy to install. If you can free the old transducer I would mount it in the same location. If not pick a location close by and you can install it there. Basically, you just sand the area down slightly and secure the new transducer with epoxy. Lowrance recommends that you use the epoxy that they sell, however, many marine experts have advised me that any good epoxy will do. I have installed mine using a mutlipurpose marine epoxy and it works great.

Most transducers are thru-hull/skimmer, meaning they will work either way. If you have the users manual for your unit it will likely show you both installation methods.

Thru-hull installation will save you from having to drill holes to mount the transducer and a hole to route the wires.

If you have any additonal questions or need help during the process, let me know.

Is there an easy way to remove the old one?

[Dave A]

adamsj13

I sent you a pm.

[BassinDan]

** NOTE **
IF YOU LOSE YOUR SONAR AT HIGH SPEED, THIS IS ALMOST AN EXCLUSIVE INDICATION OF IMPROPER TRANSDUCER INSTALLATION. BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW, YOU WILL GREATLY DECREASE THE CHANCES OF IMPROPER PERFORMANCE AND PREMATURE TRANSDUCER WEAR.


1) Make sure to choose the APPROPRIATE transducer for the application. DO NOT USE A DUAL FREQUENCY TRANSDUCER TO SHOOT THROUGH THE HULL! The 50khz side of a dual frequency transducer will not shoot through. The 200khz side is also too small to provide good quality returns in shallow water. This includes salt water!
2) Find a smooth spot on the bottom of your hull to shoot through. DO NOT SHOOT THROUGH THE HULL IN-LINE WITH OR THROUGH STRAKES. THIS INCLUDES THE KEEL! This WILL result in the loss of bottom at high speeds due to cavitation. You can test the hull for the “sweet spotâ€

[BassinDan]

According to Lowrance, they reccomend a shoot-thru style installation with the puck transducer on bass boats. The reason is that at higher speeds your transom isn't even in the water, allowing the 'ducer to cavitate("air is bad"). A simple call to Lowrance tech will help you get the right parts. They helped me, now I'm sharing. Good Luck 1-800-324-1356

[adamsj13]

Thanks a million. I will follow it to a T . I really appreciate you taking the time to write this up for me,.

[basstrophy]

I've done both, thru and on the transom. I personally liked the transom better because the picture on the graft showed more plus it was just as easy to install.

The thru is just glued onto the bottom of your hull. Just get a hammer and knock the old one out then make sure you grind or sand the area well before glueing your new puck type in the same area.

The transom mount would work where you have your red X just at higher speeds you will loose your sonar return. I ran my transducer plug thru my live well drain then into the boat. I drilled a hole the same size of the cable below where you clamp the hose to your elbow exit from your live well. Then just cut a little slice down to where you drilled the hole it's a clean fit and with a little silicone it will not leak. I did have to file down the connector some to make it fit into the drain hole.

Thru hull you better get it right otherwise your sonar will not read correctly and air bubbles will make you get your hammer out again and redo it.

Transom mount will read your sonar returns much better but will get kicked up when you hit floating objects and might loose the sonar returns at higher speeds.

I perfered the transom mount because of the sonar returns showed so much more on the graft.
I hope this helps

<*(((((><

[adamsj13]

Thanks again all for your advise. I ended up doing another shot thru and was pretty easy to do. I'll know for sure this weekend once I get it on the water, unless there is a way to test with out water, Thanks again