What is your depth transducer setup?

[Steven Whel]

Good morning all,

I have a 28ft weekender currently a lorance depth sounder (screen cracked)

It’s a small screen and I would like to get a hummingbird type sounder but it has a transom mount.


I’m diving off the boat so looking for good depths and low speed.

What is your setup?

Are transom mounts any good?

Advice appreciated.

 

[Steven Whel]

Spelt Lowrance wrong I know!

 

[jmauld]

Does the boat stay in the water? If so I would consider spending the money on a good thru Hull sensor. I have had to replace my transom mounted simrad (same as lowrance) transducer every two years. I’m lucky to get 18 months out of one.

This last one worked for about three months, I’m sending it back for repair under warranty and have a thru Hull waiting to go in.

 

[Steven Whel]

Does the boat stay in the water? If so I would consider spending the money on a good thru Hull sensor. I have had to replace my transom mounted simrad (same as lowrance) transducer every two years. I’m lucky to get 18 months out of one.

This last one worked for about three months, I’m sending it back for repair under warranty and have a thru Hull waiting to go in.

Oh wow I had no idea the transom mount units fail. Yes boat in water. Thank you for the information. Good luck with the fix.

 

[jmauld]

For a comparison the thru Hull in me sea ray is 11 yrs old and still works great. Off course it costs $900 instead of $300 so I guess that should be considered.

 

[Pirate Lady]

My 30yo transom mount still working fine. I prefer a thru hull, but if it works i will keep it. Uniden, they dont make anymore.

 

[Henry Boyd]

you have another alternative. You can install an in hull transducer; that is one that is installed inside the bilge and the beam is shot through the hull. A good example is the Raymarine p79. It basically is an upside down bucket that is glues to the hull bottom. The thing is filled with rv antifreeze and the transducer is mounted in the top. I used one on our old 280 when the thru hull we had failed mid season. I replaced the in hull over the winter. The shoot through is reasonable at less than $200 and an easy diy.

I just had a Raymarine B744 with fairing installed over the winter. With the fiberglass worked (cored hull) it was just under $1200.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Transom mounts don't typically fail like Jmauilds experience - that is, by far, much more the rarity than the norm. By far. If you're looking to keep the costs down, go with the transom mount - you'll be fine. Just make sure you install it well to avoid possible water intrusion into the transom core.

 

[CNYBoater]

I recently upgraded the depth sounder dash gauge and transducer on my 200OV. I installed a Humminbird Helix 5 with transom mount transducer. I like it and the new transducer does not experience the loss of signal at speed issue I had prior. I epoxied a 1" thick HDPE mounting plate to the transom and installed the last transducer onto that. When I switched, I filled the old holes with 5200 and mounted the Humminbird Transducer to the same plate. Screw lengths used are secure, but not long enough to penetrate the transom.

 

[Steven Whel]

Transom mounts don't typically fail like Jmauilds experience - that is, by far, much more the rarity than the norm. By far. If you're looking to keep the costs down, go with the transom mount - you'll be fine. Just make sure you install it well to avoid possible water intrusion into the transom core.

Thank you sound advice.. no pun intended