Transom-transducer Installation Instructions for SternMate™
Copyright © 2008 2010 Nanticoke Maritime LLC All rights reserved
Following C Marine Industries
IMPORTANT: If you are planning to use an additional Set-back Plate™, plan for this prior to permanently adhering the Mounting Plate.
Note: Detailed photo illustration at the bottom of this page.
Reference: Transducer mounted and adjusted on SternMate with Set-back Plate
This illustration is for reference only. Each installation is unique; however, each posses the same basic installation.
* Note: (1) Forepart of transducer angle up slightly
(2) Bottom (face) of transducer flush with bottom of boat
*(3) Installation of SternMate Housing only or Housing and 1 Set-back Plate, or with the optional 2nd Set-back-Plates, should be at least 3/8" above bottom of boat (3-4 popsicle sticks shown for reference).
This must be determined prior to adhering the Mounting Plate to your transom and whether or not 1 or 2 SetBack Plates will be used.
(4) Paint paddle taped to bottom of boat
*demonstration video on our Home Page is made from this set up and adjustment. (Your final installation and adjustment could vary somewhat)
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Lots of vertical adjustment range, not only in your transducer bracket, but also on SternMate for mounting most any style transducer.
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<---- 13"----->
Center of hull to center of T'ducer
Transducer sounding was optimum regardless of where SternMate was mounted on our test boat. An uninterrupted flow of water fore of the transducer is necessary.
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First, please read these instructions and the instructions furnished by your electronics manufacturer. All instructions must be followed closely and carefully. For best results, familiarize yourself with all components from both before beginning installation. It’s actually more fun that way and it builds confidence in the use of your new equipment. Any deviation or shortcuts will cause failure or improper function of your SternMate equipment. Failure from such cannot be warranted. Make sure you have adequate uninterrupted time. The installation is simple, but Do Not Rush the process. The finished installation will be professional and highly functional.
Included in Your SternMate Kit you will find:
(1) Mounting Plate (1) Adhesive (1) Housing (1) Installation Instructions
(1) Set-back Plate (2) Wood adhesive spreaders
(4) #10 Nut Holders (4) Adhesive dots (yellow thread insert covers)
(1) Trim Snap
(4) ¾” x10x32 screws (mount Housing to Mounting Plate only)
(1) 3/4" x10x32 screw (optional screw for fastening lanyard)
(4) 1 ½”x10x32 screws (mount Set-back Plate thru Housing to Mounting Plate)
(2) 7/8””x 10x32 (mount most transducer brackets directly to Housing)
(2) 1 ½”x10x32 (mount most transducer brackets to Set-back Plate thru Housing to Mounting Plate)
(3) #10x32 nylon-insert lock nuts
(1) 3/4 ”x 10x32 screw (lanyard for attaching to Set-back Plate or to Housing)
(1) Stainless steel wire lanyard (1) #10 Phillips screw (lanyard to transom)
Gather the following prior to beginning installation:
*Sharp Pencil *Several clean white absorbent lint-free cloths * Paper towels *Old Credit card
*Masking tape *Transducer & SternMate Instructions *Clean wood paint paddle
*Transducer and its mounting bracket * 91% Isopropropyl Alcohol ("IPA") * Single-edge razor blades
1: Clean and degrease your transom - It is most important to prepare your transom by cleaning and degreasing profusely the area where SternMate will be mounted. Remove all scum, dirt, oxidation, debris, wax, loose paint, mold release residue, etc. prior to installation. DO NOT use petroleum based cleaners as they are oily and leave a residue. If there is any antifouling bottom paint on your transom, carefully remove it without disturbing the gel coat or aluminum hull surface. Scrub well with an "IPA" dampened cloth and wipe dry. Should you have a unique installation, please contact us.
2: Locate a flat unobstructed mounting surface on your transom – Locate a flat area on your transom for mounting in accordance with a location recommended by your electronics manufacturer. Place SternMate Mounting Plate on the transom to ensure that it lies flat.
3: Properly locate SternMate and your electronics - Securely tape a paint paddle (ensure that it lies flat) to the bottom of your boat left of the center area beneath SternMate mounting location. Allow the paint paddle to extend aft of the boat several inches (see photo). The paint paddle accomplishes 2 important functions; (1) it assures that SternMate does not extend below the bottom of the boat (with or without the Set-back Plate) and; (2) is a gauge used to determine the range of adequate up and down adjustment and ideal positioning of your transducer prior to and after SternMate has been installed. Position your SternMate with transducer snugly attached (screws/nuts provided) to the face of SternMate Housing or on the face of the added Set-back Plate mounted to the Housing. Tighten screws just enough (leave some slack using the nuts and Nut Holders) to allow manual up-down movement of your transducer. Note: Make sure that you have adequate up and down adjustment of the transducer face above and below the bottom of the hull according to its manufacturers’ instructions prior to adhesion of the Mounting Plate. The ideal mounting location on SternMate will involve some trial test fittings (to best suit your unique installation) prior to the permanent adhesion of the Mounting Plate. Move SternMate (assembled with transducer) around on your transom to find the best location for it before adhering. Make sure that the fully assembled and adhered SternMate does not extend below the hull in any case. Note: We recommend using the Set-back Plate on all boats which attain a speed of 30 mph and greater.
5. Prepare Mounting Plate surface for adhesive - With a clean "IPA" dampened cloth, (DO NOT USE THE SAME CLOTH USED TO WIPE THE TRANSOM) vigorously scrub the back side of the Mounting Plate while continually turning the dampened cloth. Changing cloths will avoid "cross-contaminating" surfaces. Wipe dry.
6. Carefully apply the provided yellow adhesive dots on the backside of the Mounting Plate to completely cover each of the 4 screw insert holes. Be careful not to touch the clean surface of the Mounting Plate. Adhesive will be applied over the dots and are used to avoid contaminating the inside of the screw inserts when adhesive is applied. It's OK to "IPA" wipe the Mounting Plate surface again in case surface was touched.
7. Application of adhesive - Adhesive Instructions are provided in your SternMate Kit. Adhesive applied to the reverse side of your Mounting Plate will resemble the photo. Keep the notch on the Mounting Plate free of adhesive (see photo).
Adhesive buttered on back side of Mounting Plate (click image to enlarge)
When you have buttered the back side of the Mounting Plate, place it on your transom inside of your pencil trace lines. Firmly and gently press the Mounting Plate onto your transom to evenly distribute the adhesive between the two mating surfaces until it just begins to ooze from all edges. To ensure complete coverage, twist the Mounting Plate and slide sideways and up and down just slightly. Only a small amount of adhesive should be lost with a final thickness of a couple of credit cards between the mating surfaces. Avoid pressing hard so that you do not squeeze all of the adhesive away. Make sure that its final position is inside of your pencil lines where you have planned. The adhesive will set up quickly (see adhesive instructions).
8. CLEAN UP - KEEP HANDS CLEAN...You should begin clean up immediately upon adhering at this time with "IPA" dampened (not soaked) cloths or paper towels. Begin cleaning the adhesive from the edges and perimeter of the Mounting Plate until there is no evidence of adhesive observed. If the Mounting Plate should move while cleaning, simply move it back into position. The adhesive will set up quickly, so be aggressive. Keep your sticks clean for clean-up use. Use the old credit card to squeegee the adhesive.
IMPORTANT: Pay particular attention to removal of all visible adhesive on and around Mounting Plate. The edges and fixturing tab at the top must be completely free of adhesive so that the Housing will fit over the Mounting Plate once secure. The ends of clean wood spreader sticks wrapped in a cloth dampened with "IPA" work well for close-up cleaning at the edges of the Mounting Plate. It is imperative that your finished installation show no sign of adhesive. The Housing must fit over the Mounting Plate, thus excess adhesive around the perimeter will not allow it to do so. The only time to easily and successfully clean the excess adhesive is while the adhesive is still damp. Should the Mounting Plate slip from position, gently slide it back. Do not permit the "IPA" to run underneath the Mounting Plate.
Clean Up Hints: Tightly wrap a clean cloth dampened with "IPA" (not soaked) around the end of a clean wood spreader stick. Clean aggressively around the perimeter of the Mounting Plate. The bare end of the spreader stick may also be used to trim away the adhesive around the Mounting Plate. A single edge razor blade, the sticks and the old credit card will be handy for trimming away uncured or curing adhesive. A bare "IPA" dampend cloth pressed into the joint while wiping is also a good way to scrub away any visible adhesive. Solvents such as MEK or Acetone will adversely attack the Mounting Plate material.
Final assembly of: Housing only, 1 SetBack Plate or 2 SetBack Plates should be
3/8" + above bottom of boat.
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4. Prepare transom for adhesive - Position SternMate Housing and Mounting Plate assembly in your selected position as determined from the above procedure (previous photo) and pencil trace the outline. Remove the Mounting Plate and place the bottom edge of the Mounting Plate on the bottom pencil trace line and center it. Now, trace only the Mounting Plate. This is where the permanent mounting position will be. Scrub this area well with a clean white cloth dampened with "IPA" leaving the trace lines visible. Continually turn the damp cloth while scrubbing. Wipe dry. It is imperative that all contaminants are removed. Installation on aluminum hulls is similar; however, all paint and factory finish must be gently removed inside pencil trace lines.
Aluminum hull installation - Follow the same procedure for fiberglass hulls; however, you must gently remove all paint inside the pencil trace lines to expose the bare metal. We find that using 3M abrasive pads (maroon) perform an effective job and do not gouge the aluminum.surface. You must thoroughly "IPA" wipe clean and dry the area once you have finished abrading away the finish and the bare aluminum is exposed.
Keep the Notch Clean --------------------------------->
Paint paddle ------------------->
click image to enlarge
I was able to install the product (SternMate) and I am very impressed. I have a Tracker 175 Targa Sport and did not want to drill additional holes for a new Side Imaging unit I installed. The install was easy and I found the directions were very clear. If I ever purchase another boat I will be a return customer.
Thanks,
Paul H.
Stewartstown, PA
Nanticoke Maritime LLC
214 295 6577
Call us at Nanticoke Maritime LLC
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