Hi Folks:
This is my first post on this forum and I'm looking some help. I've just purchased a HB 998C and I've got a bunch of questions about installation on my 2001 Lund 1700 Fisherman. Let me start by asking your input on location of the transducers. I have read most every post on this forum about transducer installation (and many other web references as well). None of the posts I've seen quite address my concerns.
First, here's a rear end photo of my boat. I have a 115HP & 9.9 Merc, the kicker on the starboard side. I am replacing the Lowrance X71 fish finder with the 998. The transducer and wheel you see between the engines is for the Lowrance.
From what I've read, I will likely want to mount the 998 transducers on the Port side, about 15 inches left of the main engine. And, I also understand that the puck transducer needs full clearance left to right at it's "line of sight".
Here's the concern I have:
- This transducer is huge, it is 6" long, not counting any supplemental mounting board.
- The 115 Merc lower end (the main lower end casing) - when fully trimmed down - sets about 4 1/2 " from the transom
- And the lower end splash guard protrudes forward about 2"
- In order to get clearance to the lower end casing I need to trim the engine up about 50% of it's high speed normal planning position
- But, there's more. I also have a water inlet screen to the live well that is mounted at the lowest part of the transom. It protrudes out about 1 1/2"
Here are more photos of the clearances:
I will remove the Lowrance transducer and wheel. (though I've considered keeping the X71 and moving these items to a new location).
So, with the engine trimmed out about 50% the clearance to the lower end is about 7". But, the inlet screen is below the "eye level" of the 998 transducer. I am probably going to use a plastic mounting plate for the transducers. That means the overall length of the transducer will be about 6 1/2" +/-.
Here are my questions:
- Will the transducer work with the water inlet screen located as shown - protruding aft about 1" +/-? I can probably jigger up some kind of screen thing that reduces the depth of the screen to about 1- 1 1/2".
- Is it "normal" to have to trim out the engine to get clearance from the lower end when using the DI/SI system?
- Will the lower end splash guard (that sticks forward from the low end) interfere with the transducer?