Depth Sounder Installation

K

Kristensea

New Member
Feb 17, 2010
3
CT
Boat Info
1989 230CC
Engines
350 MERCRUSIER APLHA 1
I just purchased a new Garmin GPS 441S. I am trying to determine if I should go with a stern mount or go with a thru the hull piece. I do not fish but want a dependable reading for depth while underway. I run a 89 230cc. Any insights would be appreciated.
 
A lot depends on your expertise in installation. A thru hull is a little more difficult and time consuming. A transom mount transducer is usually easier and safer to install. With a transom mount you can usually make the only thru hull penetration above the water line, therefore reducing your chances of having a leak. I have seen both thru hulls and transom mounts have issues reading properly. Its almost 6 of 1, a half dozen of the other. Just remember to use below the water line sealer on which ever one you decide.
 
I'd appreciate any insight here too.... I have a 2009 185 Sport and I'm debating about the which type of transducer to install. Any advice about transducers on this specific boat is much appreciated.
 
Same issue; I have a Garmin 440s and Sounder 188 and I just purchased a thru hull transducer model P319 part# 010-10194-01. Which is compatible on both units (Not sure which unit I will use yet—whichever is better) (Like the bigger screen on the 188)

I am told by the Garmin Support that this unit will give me; Fish Finding, GPS, Depth, speed and temp.

They have it listed at $102 but I found it at WM for about $80.

I plan to use the hole in my hull that is currently being used by the OEM depth finder which does not work anymore. Probably not working at the dashboard but I do not want to cut another hole.

Even though the Garmin support rep said it supports the above-mentioned features, I cannot find a better description to verify it supports them. The description only mentions Depth/Temp. However, that is all it mentions on all the units so I imagining the other features are defaults.

I have sent three emails to Garmin asking for the features in writing and here is what their reply was:

"I am pleased to assist you. Part number 010-10194-01 is the correct
transducer for both models you refer to.”

So I am still researching to verify these other options through a third source and will post once I hear back

In regards to the transom Mount--I hear on twins that even though the transom mount works the thru hull is better as there is less interference and turbulence.
 
I posted this on a different thread as well - but I used the transom mount on my 270 with twins. I heard a lot of different viewpoints on if it would work or not but decided to try since it is the unit which came with my fishfinder and I wanted to avoid drilling another hole for a thru-hull. It took a little bit of adjustments but I'm very happy with the performance - I lose the bottom occasionally but actually less than the factory depth sounder which has since stopped working completely.

Here is the location I used on the 270 - the key thing is to avoid anything which may be installed in front of the location: a/c pickups, etc.

CIMG6508.jpg
 
Another Update: the P319 will do Fish Finding, Depth and Temp. my 440s unit will do GPS,Speed and plotting without any transducer--it is self reliant for those three feature.

The combo of the unit and the P319 does the 6 things I want it to do.

Therefore, I am going to go thru hull with this P319 and utilize the Hole already in the hull for the factory installd Depth finder.
 
johnanddayna said:
how about a shoot thru, are they reliable?
Click to expand...

Shoot-thru is the way to go IMO unless you're sounding very deep water or need the very highest level of definition. There is some signal loss, but it isn't significant enough to be an issue for most users- provided it is installed correctly.

If you go with a thru-hull, it's best to try a "dry installation" first if you can- as you only get one shot at this to get it right. I already had three holes in the bottom of the boat I didn't need from P.O.'s, and only really had one location left that looked like it would work. I didn't test the area first, and most times I lose bottom when on plane.

The advantage to the shoot-thru and TM ducers is that they can be moved, and TM transducers are easily adjusted in the water or out to tweak them for the best performance.
 
tcallis said:
I'd appreciate any insight here too.... I have a 2009 185 Sport and I'm debating about the which type of transducer to install. Any advice about transducers on this specific boat is much appreciated.
Click to expand...
I am having the shop install the surface mount transducer for the 441s that my wife got me for Christmas (she paid for installation). No real reason other than I don't want to rack my brain over this - so I am taking the easiest route.

Where are you installing the unit? I have a 2009 175 Sport and the place I like it the best is right on top of the cup holder to the right of the steering wheel. I just took the cupholder out and used two small clamps to clamp the bracket to the fiberglass. Its not the prettiest thing (can see the tops of the clamps, but no drilling/screwing/bolting and quick removal of the unit/reinstall of the cupholder if I sell the boat. I am up for better ideas, though.
 
ZZ13 said:
Where are you installing the unit? I have a 2009 175 Sport and the place I like it the best is right on top of the cup holder to the right of the steering wheel. I just took the cupholder out and used two small clamps to clamp the bracket to the fiberglass. Its not the prettiest thing (can see the tops of the clamps, but no drilling/screwing/bolting and quick removal of the unit/reinstall of the cupholder if I sell the boat. I am up for better ideas, though.
Click to expand...

I have my 440s RAM mounted to the windshield support to the left of the steering wheel above the dash. I didn't want to drill any holes either and there were a few on here that did the same before me. If you search I bet you can find the thread with RAM parts #'s that are needed. I don't find that it is in my line of sight very often and I am not willing to give up my cup holder.
 
nben said:
I have my 440s RAM mounted to the windshield support to the left of the steering wheel above the dash. I didn't want to drill any holes either and there were a few on here that did the same before me. If you search I bet you can find the thread with RAM parts #'s that are needed. I don't find that it is in my line of sight very often and I am not willing to give up my cup holder.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the pointer. I found the post. Pretty clever. Only confusion I got out of it was from the RAM Mount site. There are about 6-10 variants of each of 3 of the 4 part numbers that were recommended.
 
hey zz,
where did they install transducer? and what did they use?
i was also thinking of getting the 441s.
thanks,
john
 
tubtoy said:
hey zz,
where did they install transducer? and what did they use?
i was also thinking of getting the 441s.
thanks,
john
Click to expand...
They haven't done it yet. I'm taking the boat to them in a couple of weeks. The one for the stock depthfinder is mounted at the bottom edge of the transom about half way between the drain hole and the port edge. So I suspect this one will get mounted in relatively the same place to the right of the drain hole. I'll send you a pic once its done (unless you buy and install before then).
 
Guys, installing a shoot thru transducer is easier than you may think. Follow directions on install and it works like magic. Again follow directions! I did this myself in about 2 hours for a Lowrance 422 combo unit.
 
pics would be great, even in a couple of weeks since i am in n.j. now while the boat is in fl.
not sure when im getting back down there,work is hopefully
picking up
 
ZZ13 said:
Thanks for the pointer. I found the post. Pretty clever. Only confusion I got out of it was from the RAM Mount site. There are about 6-10 variants of each of 3 of the 4 part numbers that were recommended.
Click to expand...

I might still have the receipt when I bought everything if you need more specifics. I can look when I get home tomorrow night.
 
You'll want to make sure that you don't have a bilge liner before you go with a thru-hull or shoot-thru install. My Sundeck has a bilge liner which makes both of those options unavailable, I was forced to do a transom install.
 
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