Transducer Install -- Help!

NorCal Boater

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Jan 24, 2008
3,451
Covington, LA
Boat Info
Boatless
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No boat....no engines
Morning All,

I need to install a transducer for my Simrad GO5. It came an HDI Skimmer transducer but no installation instructions. This is a transom mount unit and I know it must be mounted level and where it will be just below the running surface of the boat so it is in the water while on plane. I was thinking of putting it here....
IMG_0905.JPG
There is nothing on the bottom forward of this so I don't think turbulence will be an issue. Truthfully my biggest angst in this whole task is drilling a 1" hole in the transom. It would be at, or slightly above, the waterline. Any tips?
IMG_0907.JPG

Or can I epoxy this thing inside the hull?
Thanks
Shawn
 
Where you are pointing is where my transducer is installed, only on the STB side, but I don't think that makes a difference. I put it level with the 1st strake. But, before you do that you could try and see if it will shoot through the hull, if it is solid glass it should. Put the transducer in a plastic baggie filled with water to test it on the inside before you epoxy it in place.
 
Thanks Bill. I don't have a problem mounting to the transom....I have a problem drilling a 1" hole in the transom. I spoke to Simrad/Lowrance Tech Support and the tech stated that even tho it would void the warranty I could cut the cable and reconnect by soldering the leads back together. I think this is the direction I am going.

The way the interior is configured on this boat its too hard to gain access the bilge when it is all together and it almost has to be together to safely operate the boat.
 
Drill your big hole above the waterline and fill with silicone to seal and then cover with small stainless vent to trim. Run the cable down the back and use small screw attachment points. You can over drill these, fill with epoxy and then drill the smaller hole - this will give 100% seal to the hull. Set the screws with a little silicone to hold in.

-Kevin
 
Just confirming that the spot you are looking at is fine. It's all about "clean" water. Note that most ducer's are meant to only be slightly below the running surface. That's odd that there was no directions - must have gotten missed when they packaged it? Try going to Simrad's website and downloading the installation instructions.

Holes in transoms (including the screw holes)... best practice is:
-- Oversize the hole to be bigger than your final hole (pilot hole for screws or 1" hole for connector)
-- Fill the hole with epoxy and let it dry
-- Now come back and drill your properly sized hole
-- Install with a quality polysulfide sealant like the BoatLife products (or other good brands). 3M is fine, but do not use 3M5200 or 4200.
-- "If" the sealant should even fail, the transom core is still completely sealed and you won't get water entering the core.

Don't worry about the 1" hole. Just do it. Drill it as high as you can and use a clam shell to cover the hole and backfill with sealant. Easy peasy, done.
 
Morning All,

I need to install a transducer for my Simrad GO5. It came an HDI Skimmer transducer but no installation instructions. This is a transom mount unit and I know it must be mounted level and where it will be just below the running surface of the boat so it is in the water while on plane. I was thinking of putting it here....View attachment 58765 There is nothing on the bottom forward of this so I don't think turbulence will be an issue. Truthfully my biggest angst in this whole task is drilling a 1" hole in the transom. It would be at, or slightly above, the waterline. Any tips?
View attachment 58766
Or can I epoxy this thing inside the hull?
Thanks
Shawn

I highly recommend using a “Sternsaver” as the mounting base. If you install it landscape mode (sideways) you will be able to move it left or right to tweak location without any holes in the transom underwater at all.

Here is my install on my 330 of a fishhawk transducer. It’s a black sternsaver. Bottom paint was sanded off underneath and edges sealed with black silicon which is why it looks all black. Sternsaver poly block is installed with no holes at all in the transom and then you screw into the poly.

 
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