Humminbird Side Imaging Forums
Side Imaging Forums => 798c SI => Topic started by: HarrisonDawgs on September 11, 2011, 05:59:29 PM
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Need opinions please from those who have experience here. My boat is blessed with a huge step up (from bottom of hull pad to the bottom of transom). The flat portion of the step (inverted step) is about 16 inches deep even though the picture doesn't show too well. The riser is about 14 inches from dead center of hull bottom. Currently my 798 transducer is mounted vertically to the underside of the transom "step". I'm getting satisfactory scans with little or no interference. Ducer is neated tucked away from trash washing down underneath hull and at least 15 inches from prop. Problem is the boat will not stay planed off below 28 mph, at which speed the ducer is out of the water. I'm considering mounting it flush with the hull where you see the white "x" in the picture. This spot would be a totally clear view left to right and would be flush with the hull. Problem is it will be less protected and I'm wondering if I'll really get any useful info above 28 mph anyway. I don't really need to know bottom depths as I have fished these lakes for 30+ years. If you have any input I would appreciate all I can get before I drill more holes.
Thanks
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Oh yeah, I have already checked placement and it wont interfere with boat lift or trailer bunks.
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Thats where I think you will get the best readings, but like you said it is more vulnerable. If you are pretty good about not hitting stumps, nothing to worry about.
If you go up on the step, you will need to add a second tranducer for high speed 2d readings.
I say go on the bottom and see how it works!
Robert
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If it works and you are happy with the SI readings don't open a can of worm's! Even the best of them hit a log, three stump,sand bar, sunk car, 8x8x40' shipping container, or the old ship wreck, mess up loading the trl, From time to time and that's just me!
New thru hull or in hull xducer (If the hull is the right type), xducer switch, plus a big hole in the bottom.$$$$$$$$.
Or use a TM xducer on the Port stern outside of the step!!!!!
Good luck and enjoy Roddy
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Thanks guys. Think I will agree with Robert and give it a try. Not worried about drilling so much as this boat is old and I've gotten good with fiberglass. Not so many stumps here so should be ok. The mount I have now is actually a metal Eagle transducer mount so think I will leave it in place and just remove the ducer and install new HB kickup mount for the bottom edge. That way I always have the option of moving it back if needed. I'm not really expecting to see much detail at 28 mph+ but I was thinking it might be good to find smaller underwater humps and ridges that I dont know about. Wont hurt to give it a try (hopefully).
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It seems to me that the bottom of the boat will contact a stump first.
But, if you boat a lot, then you're bound to hit something with it.
It looks like a pretty good location but I'm wondering if you could move
it inward. I don't know the dynamics of water flow with a step, but it
seems to me that you will have more turbulence/aerated water on the outside of
the step as opposed to the inside.
As long as you have a clear line of sight to each side for the
side-imaging, I don't see why you couldn't move it inward.
Also, not sure about if there will be any bouncing of the
sonar beams by the close proximity of the metal.
The only way to know for sure the absolute best place is to try in multiple places.
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Guess I'm not explaining it very well but the "step" I refer to is from front to back, not side to side. This is a bass boat with a running pad on the rear of the hull. Greatest concern I have is trolling in shallow water and sticking the rear of the hull at which point I would have to go side to side or backwards to un-stick it. At this point it could surely cause damage. I guess you're talking about the metal in the bracket but this is a very small bracket and it apparently is causing no problems tho I haven't tried it on the HB bracket yet. Seems like boat manufacturers would come up with a design that incorporates a depression in hull just for transducer mounts.
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What I'm saying is that from your picture, you could probably move the
whole transducer assembly forward towards the front of the boat.
I think it would be more protected there and maybe it would have
less water turbulence from water striking the end (backside of the step).
I don't know for sure, just my opinion.
You'll have to test for where is the best place for you.
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IT,
Thanks and I see what you are saying and agree. Just wonder if the water pressure at say 65 mph is enough to trip the bracket up. This lake is busy and has a great deal of chop at times. I realize there will likely be nothing useful above 40 but I'd like to be able to pick it up to 55 or 60 to the next spot and not have to worry about transducer pointing at prop when I stop. What do you think?
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HD,
I have bent the HB metal mount outboard tangs in so the xducer stays down at 55 mph and it still kicks up if I hit something at low speed.
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65mph :o
Man, I fish electric only lakes mostly and can maybe touch 7mph once in awhile, if I'm lucky.
I really have no idea how/when/why the transducer bracket may kick up.
I'd say get on the water and run through some tests at different speeds and
water conditions.
Good Luck.
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In addition to a forward motion, you might have been backing up and hit a tree limb or stickup (or anything) It does not have to be forward motion to kick up if hit..
Chuck