Author Topic: What is the best way to seal the transducer mount holes in the transom?  (Read 42353 times)

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Offline C. Corner

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Any suggestions?


Offline sonar2000

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Re: What is the best way to seal the transducer mount holes in the transom?
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2012, 09:40:05 AM »
I would think something epoxy based and to push it into the holes. Sand lightly after is has cured...
I believe the boat companies have such a bond that they use..

Roddy, what are you using?

Chuck

Offline bigkahuna

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Re: What is the best way to seal the transducer mount holes in the transom?
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2012, 10:04:01 AM »
A good, marine grade, silicone sealant is the best way to go.  Put a generous amount on the base of the mount and the threads of the screw.  If you are through bolting it, tighten the bolts almost all the way, let the silicone set up, and then tighten the nuts all the way without turning the screw.  That way you get a little bit of pressure on the solid silicone to really seal it well.  If your hull is cored (balsa, foam or wood) and you through bolt it, the "pro" way to do it is to seal the core with epoxy where the hole penetrates it before using the silicone.  That way water won't penetrate the core and soak it.  Don't use epoxy on the threads unless you don't want to be able to remove them later.  Same goes for 3M 5200, which is a great sealant for below the water line, but it is virtually impossible to remove once hardened.

Offline C. Corner

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Re: What is the best way to seal the transducer mount holes in the transom?
« Reply #3 on: January 14, 2012, 10:27:21 AM »
I'm going to be screwing them into a fiberglass boat that has a wood transom. Should I drill the holes, screw in the screws, back them out, fill the holes with 5200, and then coat the screws with 5200 and then screw them back in and let cure?

Offline calli1

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Re: What is the best way to seal the transducer mount holes in the transom?
« Reply #4 on: January 14, 2012, 10:42:26 AM »
Use  100% Clear Silicone.  This is the best.  Now...if you would like to add a very small screw and the re-cover back with the Silicone...that works also.  I have never usued anything else and works great.

Offline bigkahuna

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Re: What is the best way to seal the transducer mount holes in the transom?
« Reply #5 on: January 14, 2012, 10:52:24 AM »
I wouldn't recommend using 5200 for this application.  Don't get me wrong, it's great stuff, but it is only intended for -permanent- installations.  Considering you may want to remove this mount some day, you're better off not using it.

Here's how I would do the installation:

1.  Locate where you want to mount the transducer.
2.  Drill your holes, and while you're drilling pay attention to whether the drill passes through a core (wood) or not.
3.  If your hole goes through a core, drill your holes slightly larger than what is needed for the screws.
4.  Seal the inside of the holes using a penetrating epoxy (I use WEST Systems) using a Q-tip or whatever you find handy.
5.  Let the epoxy dry over night.  If your screws won't pass though the holes because of excess epoxy, use the smaller sized drill bit to clear the hole.
6.  Mask off the area surrounding the transducer mount.
7.  Coat the base of the transducer mount and the threads of the screws with good, silicone sealant (3M, West Marine, whatever).
8.  Mount the transducer and tighten the screws to "hand tight".
9.  Clean up the excess sealant, pull off the masking tape, let it set over night.
10.  Tighten the mounting screws to an appropriate torque.  You're done.

Pretty time consuming but depending on the weather you can probably skip the over night waiting and just wait until the epoxy and sealant have hardened.  This is the -best- way of doing it, but you won't see many DIY types bothering with this and they'll just gob lots of silicone sealant instead.  The problem with that is if you have even a small leak your plywood will start to wick up water and before you know it your plywood is saturated and will eventually rot.

Offline tboltmike

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Re: What is the best way to seal the transducer mount holes in the transom?
« Reply #6 on: January 15, 2012, 12:10:03 AM »
I mounted a sacrificial plastic plate to the transom.  This way transducers or other pickups can be mounted without penetrating the hull multiple times as newer units may be installed. 
Mike T

Offline sonar2000

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Re: What is the best way to seal the transducer mount holes in the transom?
« Reply #7 on: January 15, 2012, 09:12:34 AM »
That is a good idea to mount a plate. You can do this without having to make any holes in the boat.
Thanks....
Chuck

Offline tommyboyrn

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Re: What is the best way to seal the transducer mount holes in the transom?
« Reply #8 on: January 15, 2012, 05:03:46 PM »
I emailed 3M about what they recommend below water line and on aluminum boat, they recommended the 4000 product or the 5200 product and not the 4200 as it was going on aluminum but may be different recommendation per type of boat. I would use 4000 or 5200.
you can always email 3M and give them your scenario and ask what they recommend, they replied next day.
Tom

Offline bigkahuna

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Re: What is the best way to seal the transducer mount holes in the transom?
« Reply #9 on: January 15, 2012, 05:22:46 PM »
You bring up a good point, I assumed (perhaps mistakenly) that the OP was mounting the transducer on a fiberglass hull.  If the hull is made from aluminum you have an entirely different set of issues to be aware of (not the least of which is bi-metallic corrosion caused by stainless screws touching aluminum and saltwater).

Offline ITGEEK

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Re: What is the best way to seal the transducer mount holes in the transom?
« Reply #10 on: January 15, 2012, 06:13:38 PM »
I've used 5200 marine sealant for years.
It is for below the hull sealing and is extremely tough stuff.
I would use white instead of black.
The black has a different texture (for some reason).

Although the stuff is advertised as being permanent, I have had to remove things that I have sealed with 5200 before, many times.
It does take some work, but it is possible to get it off.  The stuff
basically is rubber and plastic combined.
Just use a razor blade to cut it, and long nosed vice grips to
pull pieces of it off.  Sometimes you can pull big pieces of it off at a time.
You can use a wire brush or wire wheel to remove it from
screws.  It's no problem to unscrew screws that have been sealed with
5200.

I totally agree with installing a transducer plate.  These are made of
polyurethane.  That way you can mount the plate permanently, then
play with the transducer install until you get it perfect.
I've seen pictures of people who have about 10 holes through
their transoms because they kept moving their transducer.

Good luck.
« Last Edit: January 15, 2012, 06:22:15 PM by ITGEEK »

Offline tboltmike

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Re: What is the best way to seal the transducer mount holes in the transom?
« Reply #11 on: January 15, 2012, 08:27:26 PM »
This is a file on the sacrificial plate install I posted of the Arrow Glass website. Has text and pictures. Hope it opens OK
http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/kHYTT7Ywg4A_Ka0EppI-wPEj-l_zYs-fmu5yVNqCoqvPvwjx4ts9_iPxyKGEzOBRYZt3URvuu4D7fK3GTNeveg/Transom%20Transducer%20Mounting%20Plate1.doc
Mike T

Offline George

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Re: What is the best way to seal the transducer mount holes in the transom?
« Reply #12 on: January 16, 2012, 11:51:20 AM »
tboltmike

Clicking on your post to Arrow Glass does not work.

George

Offline sonar2000

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Re: What is the best way to seal the transducer mount holes in the transom?
« Reply #13 on: January 16, 2012, 12:05:22 PM »
Not for me either...
Chuck

Offline tboltmike

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Re: What is the best way to seal the transducer mount holes in the transom?
« Reply #14 on: January 17, 2012, 12:49:25 AM »
You may have to register as a member to access.  Where you given an option to join?
This is a pdf file with pictures.  Hopefully, this link works.  Mike
« Last Edit: January 17, 2012, 12:52:00 AM by tboltmike »
Mike T

Offline George

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Re: What is the best way to seal the transducer mount holes in the transom?
« Reply #15 on: January 17, 2012, 08:37:54 AM »
I agree with using a mounting plate, it saves putting a bunch holes in the transom.  I have been looking at doing something similar, but with an adjustable part to be able adjust the transducer up and down.

Looking at your transducer it appears cocked to the starboard side instead of being straight down, is this on purpose?

George
« Last Edit: January 17, 2012, 08:38:57 AM by George »

Offline Humminbird_Greg

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Re: What is the best way to seal the transducer mount holes in the transom?
« Reply #16 on: January 17, 2012, 10:32:19 AM »
Nice tbolt.
We have done the same thing with several of our work boats except that we did not take as much care with resealing the original holes – and we had a lot more of them!

Greg Walters at Humminbird
gwalters@johnsonoutdoors.com

Offline sonar2000

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Re: What is the best way to seal the transducer mount holes in the transom?
« Reply #17 on: January 17, 2012, 11:27:04 AM »
The big key to all of this depends on the core of the transom. If it is wood, then do not make any holes unnecessarily. The idea of a one time mount that allows you to select the best mount for the transducer or type of transducer sounds like the way to go..

Even for non-wood boats...

Chuck
« Last Edit: January 18, 2012, 02:30:33 PM by sonar2000 »

Offline Bob B

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Re: What is the best way to seal the transducer mount holes in the transom?
« Reply #18 on: January 17, 2012, 06:41:57 PM »
I agree with using a mounting plate, it saves putting a bunch holes in the transom.  I have been looking at doing something similar, but with an adjustable part to be able adjust the transducer up and down.

Looking at your transducer it appears cocked to the starboard side instead of being straight down, is this on purpose?

George

If you get a good solution going for moving the transducer up and down, let us know how it works. 

I am interested in being able to do that also.
**Looking for the one that makes it all worthwhile**

Offline tboltmike

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Re: What is the best way to seal the transducer mount holes in the transom?
« Reply #19 on: January 17, 2012, 11:21:42 PM »
I agree with using a mounting plate, it saves putting a bunch holes in the transom.  I have been looking at doing something similar, but with an adjustable part to be able adjust the transducer up and down.

Looking at your transducer it appears cocked to the starboard side instead of being straight down, is this on purpose?

Georgeha v

George,  was on purpose to match the rise of the hull/transom to minimize rooster tail.  Thought, too, that it would allow a better look at the water on the helm side to explore structure in shallower water.  However, I have re-ajusted to more horizontal and went to a quadrabeam.  Seems to work better if partially submerged than surface skimming.
However, suggestions are welcome.
Mike
Mike T

Offline SternSaver

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Re: What is the best way to seal the transducer mount holes in the transom?
« Reply #20 on: March 28, 2012, 12:59:28 PM »
Just seal and conceal is by mounting a Stern Saver right over your existing holes. You will never have to worry about those old holes leaking and you'll never have to drill another hole in your boat below the waterline to mount a transducer. Check out this article I wrote about this topic...
http://www.sternsaver.com/tag/transom-holes/

For more info click here...
www.sternsaver.com

Here is an installation video showing how easy it is to install...
Stern Saver Mount



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