Transducer Installation

OhioAngler83

Hey all, I've got a question about where I would install a Lowrance Hook 4 FishFinder/Chart Plotter on my Rinker 206 Captiva. The Lowrance manual states 12" starboard and most sites/advice I've read says that the transducer itself needs to sit just below the water level. Im using the stern saver system so I dont have to drill holes into fiberglass. I am going out to check where the water level sits this weekend just to double check but the spot that this puts me in just doesnt feel right....Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.

LaRea

I've never seen one mounted up high like that.  It would not work when the boat is on plane.  Your existing transducer seems to be mounted in the right place. 

When they say to mount it just below water level, they mean the level of the water when you are on plane.  It has to hang down below the hull like the original one.  

randy56

x2 never seen one that high, how would it work if it was not in the water? The old one is in the proper place.

OhioAngler83

fair enough ill just mount it a few inches over from that one

Ian

Is the existing failed? If so put in same spot. If not then you may need to consider interference between the 2 depending on frequency and power use of each.

Willhound

Your transducer should be exactly lined up with the hull, i.e., take a straight edge and run it back from the hull and the bottom of the transducer should meet it. About 12" from centre line to starboard sounds about right. I think they recommend that so that depending on size of boat, and if operator is alone the boat will list slightly to starboard. If you had it mounted to port it wouldn't get good contact with the water.

davidbrooks

You may want to consider putting it to the left of the outdrive.  Equal distance from the outdrive as your existing one.  The big thing is that when you are moving you want it to essentially skim along the water.  It really isn't going to do you much good when you are on plane as you are just moving too fast for it.  However at speeds 15 mph and under it will be fine.  If you are keeping both transponders just make sure they work on different frequencies.  Otherwise you will have interference.

howardrams

Ohioangler83,  I'm sure what you read meant just below the level of the hull, like your old one, because when you're up on plane the water comes off the hull bottom.  It's not the waterline when sitting still.  Otherwise it would be up it the air while moving along.  No good.

howardrams

Ohioangler83,  And my Lowrance is mounted just like your old one but probably 6" farther right away from the prop.