Where to mount transducer on any boat- High speed-Side Scan-Down Scan-Side Imaging-Structure Scan

Nanticoke Maritime LLC

214 295 5733

Where and How Do I Mount My Transducer:

*High Speed Transducer *Imaging Transducer

FACT: Hull design has little, if anything, to do with any more or less "turbulance" or disturbed water any more than one design over another. They all create a mess! So, hanging over your transom to locate the "smoothest water" at 40 mph is just plain poor judgement. Follow the basic Rules and avoid the catastrophe.

FACT: Flat bottom skiffs do not "trap more air" than other hull designs. In fact, flat bottom skiffs actually have less wetted surface than comparably sized V hulls. No one type hull "traps" more or less air than the other.

It's a royal mess back there (gel coat or rivets). Smooth, bubble-free water does not exist behind any boat...DEEP V or Flat-bottomed Skiff makes no difference. Don't look for it! FOLLOW the RULES

(Left video and right photo are of the same boat and same

transducer mount)

Running Strake Examples

Lifting Strakes Example

(styles can vary greatly, but the Rules don't!)

Stepped ("set back") Transom Example

High speed x'ducer here (conditions will apply) *

Problem: The black and white diagram of "a boat at speed" is intended to demonstrate water flow created by a fast moving boat and across the face of a transducer. The illustration is incorrect for anything except maybe a slow drifting boat, but has has been widely used for many years to teach the proper adjustment of a transom-mounted transducer for correct high speed use. What really happens? Dragging a trailing transducer mounted close to the transom and below the hull (in the "trough") of a boat, forces a tremendously powerful flow of already disturbed water into, around and over the transducer creating all sorts of sounding chaos. We have accepted this as normal for transom-mounted transducers, simply because this is what we are taught. We now know how to move the transducer aft, and by adjusting it upward toward the elevating slipstream, will afford a corrective advantage toward optimizing your high speed transducer sounding.

Correct the Problem! Nature has provided the answer all along. We simply did not recognize it. A typical planing or fast moving displacement hull creates stern squat and bow rise which dramatically changes the movement of water differing significantly from the B&W line illustration. By taking advantage of the naturally elevating displaced water behind the transom, a unique corrective advantage is employed by mounting the transducer aft and up which can positivley affect the sounding potential and adjustment of your transducer.

....the rules have changed

High speed (2d) Transducer mounting "RULES" to mount your transducer correctly on any hull

More Lifting Strake Examples

Yes

<----- Potential x'duer issues

<-----------Yes

X <----No

Ex: Through hull Fittings

<----------Yes

<-----Through-hull fitting ---------------------------------------------------->

X<--No

Side Imaging - Structure Scan - Down Scan - Side Scan Imaging Transducer

Imaging Transducer Installation TIPS that work....every time!

We prefer accuracy and damage-free simplicity when installing any transducer, including imaging transducers. Suggestions and photos made by others are great, but may be completely wrong for you regardless if mounted on an identical model hull as yours. Imaging is designed for slow speed use....some are "combo" or multipurpose which will likely compound precise mounting for speed and imaging. Our proven transducer installation procedure is perfect every time and will eliminate your having to rely on others, who may not have installed theirs correctly, which may not work for you.

Note: Alternatively, mounting an imaging transducer on a jackplate or "hole shot plate", on one of the beautifully designed brackets available for that purpose, affords a secure mount and is protected well. An image of the lower unit is usually picked by your imaging transducer as an annoying interferrence except when the motor must be raised by the operator. The trend among professional fishermen/women is moving toward transom mount only do to the annoyance of repeated motor tilting and the possibility of overheating by running "dry".

Installation of an imaging transducer on the underside of a "stepped transom" (setback transom) provides protection, but may not provide the "clear shot" enjoyed by those who may mount theirs on a transom.

(a) Install your imaging equipment and the electrical as instructed by the manufacturer leaving your transducer uninstalled

(hanging loose). The only item at this point uninstalled to your boat is your imaging transducer.

(b) Place your boat overboard and move it to shallow water so that your lower unit is well above the bottom. Turn off the

motor. Do not move the motor from its running trim postion. (This is the postion your motor will be when you arrive at

your imaging location).

thought about mounting watching the monitor for best imaging view. Solicit help if necessary to help monitor the screen.

(d) If using a "combo" imaging transducer for speed and imaging, move it around at the running surface for best imaging

view taking into consideration hull design appendages (fittings, running and lifting strakes. etc.)

Hint: If you are using a "combo" imaging transducer for imaging only, locate it somewhere above your running surface and below

your at-rest loaded waterline. This will help protect it. We find no advantage to drag any imaging transducer at speed.

Remember, you can now mount all transducers on the transom of your "stepped transom" (set back transom) boat.

(e) When you have located the ideal spot for your transducer mark the location.

(f) Mount with screws or use your SternMate transducer mounting system...move your boat to dry land before drilling, of

course.

By following our easy imaging transducer mounting procedure, you can eliminate all guesswork, all unnecessary damage to

your boat, having to move your incorrectly installed transducer to some other incorrect location and the aggravation of "wait on

hold" when calling in to your marine electronics customer service who suggest you refer to your installation instructions...and you

will only get your feet wet once!

Note: Mounting a transducer too far outboard may cause your transducer to lose contact with the water in a steep bank.

Outboard or I/O prop twist has little, if any, effect upon which side (port or starboard) of the boat you should mount

your transducer.

A chine is the intersection of the side of your boat hull with the bottom and a poor place to mount a transducer.

Imaging - YES ----->

<--------------------Imaging - YES -------------------->

<------Lifting strake

* SternMate Step-lad'r accessory available for transducer mount on "stepped" transom

If you aren't mounting on SternMate, you're breaking the "RULES"

Prior to mounting my imaging transducer, how will I know what my transducer will "see"?

Follow our proven simple imaging tranducer installation procedure and eliminate your having to rely on others.

<--------------------------------------------------- >

where Where Where Imaging Transducers Where Where where

Dragging your transducer

creates problems, but that's

exactly what we are taught to do...exactly like this, or worse (see line drawing above). Now we know that what we have learned is all wrong.

Nature has provided rising water behind the boat all of this time. We didn't realize, until now, that this phenomenon will help us gain a corrective advantage in optimizing our transducer. SternMate™ provides the means to help you harness what occurs naturally behind your boat.

IMPORTANT!

What really happens behind your boat?

Ex : Stepped Hull

Stepped Transom Hulls:

Your transducer must reach the water just right. With SternMate™ equipment, you can do just that installed directly to your transom with our NEW optional accessory

SternMate "step-lad'R"

Follow the "RULES"

Click

Images

Diminishing side---->

Rule #1: The face of your transducer must be in direct, unobstructed contact with the water to obtain an optimum sounding.

Rule #2: NEVER mount your high speed transdcuer directly aft of a running strake. If you must mount near one, mount on the

diminishing side (see photo below for reference). The broad side causes the problems.

Rule #3: NEVER mount your high speed transducer directly aft of a running strake. Mount aside a minimum of 2".

Rule #4: NEVER mount your high speed transducer directly aft of a through hull fitting. Mount aside, one way or the other 2".

(If the through hull fitting is near the center of the length of the hull, the RULE does not apply).

Rule #5: NEVER mount your high speed transducer aft of a step designed into a hull. Do not confuse a true stepped hull wth

a "stepped transom or, "set back transom" (see expandable photos below for reference. (EXCEPTION: the aft-most

step in a hull is no more than 1/2 rearward of the center of the hull).

click the photos

Running Strake

<-----Chine (this style is a hard chine)

Did you know...that pictures of where someone installed their x'ducer on an identical boat as yours may be completely wrong for you? Every Installation is unique!