Shoot thru on 2000 180?

[Bboyg]

I keep getting conflicting info on whether or not a shoot thru transducer will work on my boat. I have a 2000 180 Bowrider 3.0 and I want/need to add a depth finder. I plan on adding a Garmin plotter/ sounder. Can anyone confirm weather or not a shoot thru transducer will work on this particular boat? Some say yes it should, other say there is some kind of liner under the bilge and it won't work. Don't want to waste time and $$ getting the wrong thing. :smt100

 

[nben]

I had a shoot-thru on my 99 180 prior to my upgrading to a Garmin plotter. I found a spot to the left of the engine that would give ok readings while stopped (or near stopped) in clear or salt water only, but it never worked that great. When I upgraded to the Garmin, I went with the transom mount which is needed for the water temp feature. Works like a champ and reads well while underway in all water conditions.

 

[Henry Boyd]

Why aren't you considering a through hull transducer? I know the idea of cutting a 2" diameter hole in the bottom is kind of hard, but once you get past the emotional jolt it really isn't that bad. I've got three below waterline through hull fittings that have never leaked a drop of water.

Henry

 

[Lazy Daze]

The bilge floor actually is the liner. In other words, if you poked a hole in your bilge floor, there would still be something there (the actual hull bottom) between you and the water you're sitting in. Can it work? Yes. But, there is likely going to be a lot of trial and error needed for it to work, if at all.

I agree with Henry about the emotional aspect. Look at it this way - you've already got lots of holes in your boat - including a really huge one where your drive goes through the transom (although this is probably the only one below the waterline). While owners of small boats typically are hesitant to put more holes in their boat, it's really no big deal. As you get into bigger and bigger boats, you'll have more and more holes in your boat, too.

(Bboyg, this isn't directed at you) Something I've found interesting over the years: Some boaters will complain about drilling holes into their boat (even though a thru-hull is basically a permanent, leak free installation), but will try and squeeze a little more time out of their bellows hoses. Heck, that's just a piece of rubber hose held in place with a couple of band clamps - that's a whole lot more "failure-prone" than a thru-hull! I've talked to some long-time boaters about this and occasionally I get the "Really? I have to change those? Tell me again what these things are?" response.

Done correctly (and it's really not that hard) a thru-hull will give you the best performance and long term reliability.

 

[PDACPA]

I just bought a 546s Garmin with the transom mount transducer. Two screws hold the transducer below the water line (sealed with 4200) and then above the water line is a larger hole to run the cable. Garmin provides a nice little black cover and I filled the hole with 4200 just to be safe. Easy install and I have to imagine a much better reading than a thru the hull transducer (I think he is thinking of the ones that read "thru" the hull, not that you cut a hole).

 

[Bboyg]

Thanks for the responses. I am not opposed to making a hole or holes if necessary but obviously would prefer not to if the result was the same. Clearly from your responses, even if a shoot thru worked it would not work as well as a through hull or transom. PDACPA I think I may just do what you did and use a transom mount. Thanks again for the help!

 

[Lazy Daze]

Clearly from your responses, even if a shoot thru worked it would not work as well as a through hull or transom

Well, it's not say that it can't work really well. It's just that it can take a lot of trial and error (and let's face it, an engine compartment isn't the easiest place to work in) to possibly get it to work. However, if you could get it working well, it would likely be superior to a transom mounted unit. There is cleaner water under the hull and you don't have to worry about anything floating in the water hitting it.

Saying all that, a transom mount unit (installed properly) can still provide very good service. If I wasn't to do a thru-hull, I'd likely do a transom for the mere "ease of installation" reason.