Thru vs. In Hull Transducer

mawyatt

New Member
Dec 13, 2007
1,001
Clearwater, Fl
Boat Info
2008 Sundancer 38DA
Engines
8.1L Mercruisers
Since I must have the boat hauled out for an apparant shaft seal leak repair I am considering having a sounder installed. What are the expert opinions on the value of a thru vs. in-hull transducer. Before this needed haul out I was going to just go with an in-hull transducer per the feedback from here and the overall cost factor. Now the cost factor may not be as big a difference between the thru and in-hull transducer installation. We boat in the Gulf of Mexico and don't need expectional depth but getting accurate readings while underway (which the SR depth system does not do well) is important. Any installation cost estimates I can use to compare in vs. thur hull? Forgot to mention the boat is setup with the Raymarine E120 MFD. Thanks for the help.
 
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In hull is really for people who cant, or are afraid to cut a hole in there boat. Airmar is the company that makes the transducers. They have a tech dept. Check out there website. The inhull has the same installation position wows as the other ducers. Installation not behind thru hulls, outside of lifting strakes, etc. Shooting thru the hull may lose near 400watts of power also.
Really good transducers are Airmar B260 thru hull for fast trailerable boats, R199 inhull 2k unit, forgot the number for the big thru hull, But it has the 260 element also. Behind a 600W or 1000W FF these units are nice. There also making a TM 260 now. The 260 element is mounted on the transom.
Getting a good bottom read at speed has to do with getting undisturbed non airated water over the ducers face. Airmar told me they have a boat that holds bottom at 50 mph with there cheap plastic transom mount. Not drilling a hole in the boat is always nice. Need to look at your hull bottom and see what fits where best. Running the ducers cable may be the most time consuming labor. Drilling a hole or epoxy a 6" inhull transducer box should not take long.
 
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