Screw-holes below the waterline. Damages $$$  ?
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                                 Following C Marine Industries
Stainless steel screws below the waterline. Credits:  yachtsurvey.com/Screwit.htm
SternMate is the best way to  mount your transducer on your aluminum, fiberglass or wood boat

Polyethelyene plate screwed to transom  "eliminates unnecessary holes" ...so says the ad!
Does Your Boat Warranty or Transducer Installation Language (disclaimers) Read Similar?
BOAT WARRANTY LANGUAGE and disclaimers are generally worded very similar. Here are some responses and excerpts from famous, well respected     boat and equipment  manufacturers:



                          A note about "cutting board-type" transducer mounting plates

(1) "StarBoard" materials are a durable, high density, high quality, UV stabilized proprietary polyethelyene used for myriad marine applications and construction. Quote: "StarBoard can not be glued using standard adhesives. Products like 3M's 5200 work well as a water sealing caulk but will not adhere StarBoard to itself or other materials in a permanent bond". Starboard recommends the use of  mechanical fasteners. (credits:) http://www.kingplastic.com/InfoCenter/glue.aspx

(2) Various less expensive polyethelene cutting board materials, designed for cutting board applications, typically lack  UV and environmental stability and durability found in the more expensive "Starboard" materials. Rapid degradation is commonplace when exposed to UVand will turn to dust. "Cutting-board polyethelene" materials also possess very low surface energy (Dynes) and are; therefore, not conducive to structural-type bonding.
"…that water intrusion or associated damages occurred from mounting this type of accessory (transducer), would the Ranger boat warranty accept responsibility and cover repairs or replacement for this type of claim upon determining that leaks actually occurred at the transducer mount screw holes?"


From: Carolina Skiff - Mon 4/27/09 "...Our factory warranty doesn’t cover any type of modification or alteration, which includes mounting transducers to the transom"....If water does leak into the screw holes...., this would not be covered by our warranty. Our warranty only covers manufactured defects in our workmanship".

Thank you,

Emily J. Snyder Warranty Department
Carolina Skiff LLC
http://www.carolinaskiff.com
Ranger Boats  
From: info@RangerBoats.com
Sent: Fri 10/30/09 3:57 PM

"The installation of a transom mounted fishfinder itself would not void the warranty, but any damage deemed to be caused by or resulting from its installation would not be covered under Ranger warranty. Hope this helps. Thanks again and let us know if we can be of further assistance".

Sincerely,
Greg Marler
Ranger Boats
Famous maker Transducer Mfgr.

[Disclaimer from LEI installation manual]:
“…or for any loss or damage resulting from any other cause whatsoever. We will not under any circumstances be liable to anyone for any special, consequential, incidental, or other indirect damage of any kind".

              LEI Extras
  PO BOX 129, Catoosa, OK
(Lowrance and Eagle products)
        Pub. 988-0147-581
Our inquiry to Carolina Skiff
Stingray™ Boat Co.

Warranty Information: (excerpt)

This Warranty does not cover the following:

“(d) Options and accessories installed after the boat was manufactured by STINGRAY, and/or any damage caused thereby:"
These famous well-respected companies provide the instructions to help you enjoy a problem-free boat
The attachment of aftermarket accessories, a transom-mounted transducer in this instance, would require drilling holes below the waterline for mechanical fasteners. Regardless of the method or attempt at sealing the screws and holes, would the Carolina Skiff warranty cover and accept responsibility for water intrusion between the hull and the floor and any associated damages of any sort upon determining that leaks actually occurred at those screw holes?"
We think you get the idea now but, ...have these transducer installers given you advise on how to install yours?
The folks at Nanticoke Maritime will help you solve those transducer mounting problems with SternMate™.

     Let's take a look at some damaging or aggravating mounting problems so they won't happen to you.



             
             Carolina Skiff
    Transducer Mount with
Interesting "rooster-tail shield

10 screw-holes maybe?
An expression of indecision
Another interesting rooster-tail shield. Foam tape to avoid screw-holes?
Transducer "cuttingboard"
anchored well...6 screws.
"eliminates unnecessary holes"... We don't believe it!
Correct spot this time?
Causes one to wonder
You've seen 'em look just like this
We'd like to believe that this boat owner finally found the "sweet spot"
Take good care of your boat and read your warranty before and after you purchase it. Don’t wait until it becomes too late. Your boat is designed to give many  years of pleasurable service. Your boat warranty contains good advice for your boat of any age. The manufacturer was careful to draft your boat  warranty to avert ownership problems and the expense to repair a boat for causes created after it left the factory.
Checkmate Power Boats (warranty excerpt)

"This limited warranty does not apply to: damage or effects
of such damage caused by the installation of engines,
accessories or other equipment installed by anyone other
than CHECKMATE MARINE, INC."


Triton Boats says:                                                                                       
December 02, 2009 12:58 PM                                                         
To: Captain Chris
                                                            
Subject: Re: boat warranty
                                                              
"Captain Chris,  Triton's warranty does not
cover the installation or damage caused by an external transducer mount through our warranty statement.  Only hardware factory installed is covered regarding electronics".

Thank You,
Marty Morris

- Transducer installation is justifiably intimidating to many installer/users. Many dealers will not install transducers. 
- Incorrect multi-attempt installations are common and result in many unnecessary screw-holes and, of course, boat damage
- Damage is always caused by “mechanical fastener” transom-transducer installations
- The installation of “plastic cutting board-type mounts” create a damaging installation
- Common installations oftentimes create difficult or impossible transducer sounding adjustment capabilities
- Transducer upgrades almost always require a new set of damaging screw-holes

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Nanticoke Maritime LLC
        214 295 6577
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