Question on Transducers

[AKBASSKING]

I will be installing a Lowrance HDS-7 Chartplotter/fish finder on my 86 300DB.

It is my understanding the transducer(s) that come with it are for transom mounting. I have been told this transducer can also be mounted inside the hull.

I feel that you would get better detail when mounted to the transsom, but I have V-Drives with tunnels and worry about turbulance. Let alone putting more screw holes in the transom.

What advise would you have and if you have installed this type of electronics, how did you do it and what was your result?:huh:

 

[Alex F]

For the best results I prefer thru-hull ducers. From what I know in-hull have margine of error and sometimes are pain to maintain. I'm sure there should be thru-hull ducer for plotter you're looking for.

 

[CSR_Admin]

There are plenty of actual in-hull ducers and thru-hull ducers for Lowrance units. Here is an article I wrote on ducers to explain it all - http://www.boemarine.com/support/article.aspx?ID=0eeddbb2-2528-4aec-bc46-2ceff829449f

Lowrance includes instructions for epoxying their ducers into your bilge so there is nothing to maintain. If you are simply looking for depth then mount it this way and be done with it. If you want the FF to work well then get a thru-hull like the B60. Nothing will work on your transom since you have I/B's.

Its rare we sell a Lowrance unit to a Sea Ray owner, but we sell LOTS on the fishing sites we are on. We are running a promo right now for 5% off our web prices.

 

[AKBASSKING]

There are plenty of actual in-hull ducers and thru-hull ducers for Lowrance units. Here is an article I wrote on ducers to explain it all - http://www.boemarine.com/support/article.aspx?ID=0eeddbb2-2528-4aec-bc46-2ceff829449f

Lowrance includes instructions for epoxying their ducers into your bilge so there is nothing to maintain. If you are simply looking for depth then mount it this way and be done with it. If you want the FF to work well then get a thru-hull like the B60. Nothing will work on your transom since you have I/B's.

Its rare we sell a Lowrance unit to a Sea Ray owner, but we sell LOTS on the fishing sites we are on. We are running a promo right now for 5% off our web prices.

Thanks Jim. I think I will have to purchace a thru-hull when i but it. Why do you not sell many Lowrance units to SR owners?

 

[Registered]

Speaking of transducers...

I have no depth reading on the Smartcraft.

I have a Northstar 6000i w/ GPS/Chart/Radar w/ Aux display and I was told by sales that one transducer will not provide data to the Smartcraft and Northstar. Seems to me to be rather odd. There are several instances when I would rather not fire up the Northstar just for depth.

Would you really need two transducers to have data from both units?

ETA: Also has the Northstar 491 Fishfinder on it.

 

[Two Peas]

Speaking of transducers...

I have no depth reading on the Smartcraft.

I have a Northstar 6000i w/ GPS/Chart/Radar w/ Aux display and I was told by sales that one transducer will not provide data to the Smartcraft and Northstar. Seems to me to be rather odd. There are several instances when I would rather not fire up the Northstar just for depth.

Would you really need two transducers to have data from both units?

ETA: Also has the Northstar 491 Fishfinder on it.

Is your Smartcraft hooked up to NMEA? If it is, is your Northstar outputting depth sentences on the NMEA output?

 

[Registered]

Is your Smartcraft hooked up to NMEA? If it is, is your Northstar outputting depth sentences on the NMEA output?

I don't know, but based on your question, it would seem possible to run depth data to NS and Smartcraft from one transducer. It just needs to be wired appropriately.

As far as I know it should have been factory installed.

 

[Two Peas]

I don't know, but based on your question, it would seem possible to run depth data to NS and Smartcraft from one transducer. It just needs to be wired appropriately.

As far as I know it should have been factory installed.

It sure is. If your Northstar is getting depth data from your ducer, you can then configure it to output the depth information (and lots of other NMEA data too) on the NMEA "out" wires that should be then connected to your Smartcraft "NMEA in" wiring. Then, your Smartcraft gauges can access all this data too.

On my boat, my Raymarine C80 outputs data on the NMEA out wire to my Smartcraft SC5000 display.

 

[AKBASSKING]

Hey,

I have to old classic non-electronic system on my boat. The chartplotter/fish finder will be the newest best updated item on my boat! Smartcraft......who needs it! I can at least work on my own stuff at least for now.....

Here is what I am looking at doing:

1. Chartplotter/fishfinder
2. Radar
3. Weather

Once I get this all wired together and talking to each other, I plan to add an EPRIB to the system so it is continually updated until I activate it.

Keep in mind it will take me a year to get this all together. But for now I am starting with the plott/FF. I like Lowrance because I am familiar with their system.

So thread hijack aside: Adding a thru hull Transducer seems to be the way to go. The PO had one in the fwd bilge area in the engine compartment and it looks like it was epoxy to the hull.

Any other advice?

 

[jason78]

You may want to look at adding Structure Scan while you are working on this project, it is amazing. That capability is one of the main reasons I went with the HDS7. I am in the market for a 15-16 foot Whaler and plan to move the HDS between the two boats. I will use the SS and FF on the Whaler.

 

[northern]

I have two transducers on my boat. One is through the hull the other is stuck to the hull inside the boat with cylicone. The one I stuck inside the boat with cylicone works better and cost 1/4 the price of the one that has a through hull transducer. The one with cylicone cone has a 50 and 200HZ system, the one through the hull is a 120HZ.

 

[Registered]

It sure is. If your Northstar is getting depth data from your ducer, you can then configure it to output the depth information (and lots of other NMEA data too) on the NMEA "out" wires that should be then connected to your Smartcraft "NMEA in" wiring. Then, your Smartcraft gauges can access all this data too.

On my boat, my Raymarine C80 outputs data on the NMEA out wire to my Smartcraft SC5000 display.

Fantastic news!

Will that be plug in and go with the data feed, or will I need to configure the Smartcraft to utilize the new data inputs?

Much appreciated!

 

[AKBASSKING]

You may want to look at adding Structure Scan while you are working on this project, it is amazing. That capability is one of the main reasons I went with the HDS7. I am in the market for a 15-16 foot Whaler and plan to move the HDS between the two boats. I will use the SS and FF on the Whaler.

The admiral really likes the structure scan too.

So how did you mount your transducer on your HDS-7?

 

[jason78]

The admiral really likes the structure scan too.

So how did you mount your transducer on your HDS-7?

I have not mounted a transducer yet. I am waiting for someone to tell me about a decent In-Hull transducer that has sonar FF capabilities and won't interfere with my Smartcraft Airmar transducer. I really don't feel like I need another hole in the bottom of my boat. Otherwise, I will just install it on the Whaler (when I get it). Not a big deal as I really dont need a FF on the 280 anyway.

 

[AKBASSKING]

I have not mounted a transducer yet. I am waiting for someone to tell me about a decent In-Hull transducer that has sonar FF capabilities and won't interfere with my Smartcraft Airmar transducer. I really don't feel like I need another hole in the bottom of my boat. Otherwise, I will just install it on the Whaler (when I get it). Not a big deal as I really dont need a FF on the 280 anyway.

I plan to stop by the Lowrance booth at the Seattle boat show this weekend and ask them.

 

[larrytbull]

I have the HDS7 mounted in my 330. I am using the airmar p79, and it works fine. this winter I am installing the through hull structure scan transducer. wish there was an in hull for that but no such beast, also if you are planning to put in structure scan, you can either use the transom mount, which because the structure scan is at trolling sppeed should work fine with inboards, or you can use the through hull. the downside of the transom mount is, that inorder to have overlay or transducer data, ans well as structure data, you need them about 1 ft apart or less, otherwise the pictures will not be in synch
hope that helps

 

[jason78]

I plan to stop by the Lowrance booth at the Seattle boat show this weekend and ask them.

Thanks! I will look forward to hearing their recommendation!

I have the HDS7 mounted in my 330. I am using the airmar p79, and it works fine. this winter I am installing the through hull structure scan transducer. wish there was an in hull for that but no such beast, also if you are planning to put in structure scan, you can either use the transom mount, which because the structure scan is at trolling sppeed should work fine with inboards, or you can use the through hull. the downside of the transom mount is, that inorder to have overlay or transducer data, ans well as structure data, you need them about 1 ft apart or less, otherwise the pictures will not be in synch
hope that helps

Thanks, I will look in to the p79. Do you have it mounted at an angle or is it at the bottom center of the bilge? How close it it to your Smartcraft ducer?

 

[larrytbull]

p79 has a click to dial angle so it is set for correct hull angle it is adjustable to 21 degrees i believe it is epoxied in