Topic: SI transducer mounting location on G3

[strawdg]

Planning on using a Stern Saver for mounting....

Would like to get 2D/depth readings on plane.... because an Alumaducer looks to be problematic for this hull.

Looks like motor will definitely have to be trimmed up for SI.... not a lot of room back there....

Suggestions/recommendations .... ?

   


   

Thanks
Straw

[4d-rock]

Well, you look to be in the same boat (yay puns) as me.  Well sorta...  I have an aluminum that has a very similar looking transom and I've been trying to decide where to put my SI as well.  I do have a second 2D transom mount transducer and the split cable, but I might just try to install just the SI transducer to see if I can get it showing depth on plane.   

As for where it will go.  I am leaning towards just to the right a few inches of where the transducer you have installed is in the pictures.  Try for in the middle of the two rows of rivots underneath the boat, and trying to stay away from the support beam of the trailer if possible. 

[Humminbird_Greg]

I can’t see under the hull but would think that as far towards the center as you can get the transducer the better because it will be lower in the water.  A few inches to the left of the transducer you have now, maybe even as far as being up against that water intake screen.

[raypla]

I can’t see under the hull but would think that as far towards the center as you can get the transducer the better because it will be lower in the water.  A few inches to the left of the transducer you have now, maybe even as far as being up against that water intake screen.

So the 16" stated in the manual is not applicable?

[strawdg]

So the 16" stated in the manual is not applicable?

Depends on the boat..... That was originally for Inboards or other forward prop/drive units......

Straw

[strawdg]

Ok guy's ..... any other inputs...?

So far one says 'right', one says 'left'......

Sort of leaves me in the 'middle'.....

Maybe need better pics.....

Straw

[4d-rock]

Well, as I said, I'm trying to decide my placement as well.  I was going to ask the forums too.  So I would be more inclined to take Greg's opinion as he is one of the experts here.  You'll probably see pics of my transom up soon so I can get some opinions where to put mine.

[Humminbird_Greg]

I think when it comes to being an “expert” on installing a transducer on an aluminum boat hull, that you need to find someone who has done so on the same hull (or at least same shaped hull).  They can be very finicky as to transducer placement.  There are general rules you can follow: deep as you can get it on the hull and not behind any rivets, strakes or other hull protrusions.

[strawdg]

I think when it comes to being an “expert” on installing a transducer on an aluminum boat hull, that you need to find someone who has done so on the same hull (or at least same shaped hull).  They can be very finicky as to transducer placement.  There are general rules you can follow: deep as you can get it on the hull and not behind any rivets, strakes or other hull protrusions.

And I'm afraid this is going to be one of those 'very finicky' ones...

The location you mentioned just to the right of the intake has a row of rivets running the entire length of the hull....

More worrisome is the double row of rivets running the width of the transom, as you can see in the bottom left hand picture...
Was out on the water today and those cause disturbance all across the width of the hull ......

Straw
 

[Humminbird_Greg]

I was afraid that was what I was seeing strawdg.  You are planning on using the Stern Saver though so that will push the transducer back farther from the boat and (hopefully) into cleaner water.  No way to know without just trying it.

[Yrral3215]

I just installed a 598 on my 17' aluminum hull boat. I put it just to the right of the main motor roughly equal to the location just to the right of the water intake screen in your pictures. My hull also has the double row of rivets the full width of the transom. I was worried about that, so I installed it about 1/8" lower than the recommended height.

It throws a big rooster tail, but it works. I get fuzzy readings when on plane at about 35 mph, but I can still see the bottom contour in switchfire mode.

Larry

[4d-rock]

Thanks for sharing Larry, good info.  Just curious, did you try it with it higher first or did you just mount it lower in anticipation?  If you did have it higher, what were your readings like?

[Yrral3215]

I started out that low. I already had a Garmin 200 mounted about 18" further outboard and it had to be lowered twice before I could get it to read anything at speed. So I was already aware of the rivit issue and started out low.

Larry

[4d-rock]

Ahh, I see.  Do you have any pics of your transom so we can see the placement?

[Yrral3215]

I dont have any. The boat is in the shop getting a tune-up at the moment so it will be a week or so before I can get any.

[strawdg]

Ok.... Here is an update...... getting real close.....

Here is where I am at now:



Started out too low to begin with, was getting good on plane readings but the rooster tail was over the top of the transom, seriously whetting the motor..... so the above image is where I will test next.

The following snapshot was taken when the transducer was about 1/8 inch lower, was still slightly spraying motor but depth reading was still solid:



Straw

[Yrral3215]

Looks like its working fine on plane!

Did you test the SI readings?

[4d-rock]

Looking good strawdg!

[strawdg]

Ok.....

Think that's it, the last position shown above gives solid depth readings at WOT and no longer sprays much at all, what little spray there is is directed outboard of the motor....

From the side:




Time to lock it down and bundle cabling.....

Straw