I launched my boat today for the first time with the new 898 and my transducer threw quite a rooster as well. I had it place where it looked like only the bottom surface would touch the water but once on plane it seems the water comes up pretty quickly after exiting the stern. I installed the transducer on a Sternmate mount so I was able to keep adjusting it up until it went away. Where I currently have it I don't lose the depth at all, even at WOT or making a tight turn to port (the transducer is on the starboard side), and there is very little spray coming off of it. I don't think I will need the high speed transducer at all. It seems to me the key is to get the SI transducer higher so it just skims, looking at it back on the trailer it looks like it wouldn't even touch the water but it seems to work great.