fitting a fishfinder

tomcat · 25 October 2006, 09:04

HI

I'm looking to add a GPSMAP178C to a 4.8m Ribcraft. do i need the external tranducers for an "on Console fit" in order to use the fishfinder element. if so does anybody have any pictures of the transducers fitted, and how hard is it to add the transducers.

many thanks

Tom

Nasher · 25 October 2006, 17:46

Tom

Hi, you will need the fishfinder transducer regardless of where you mount the head unit.

One method is to use a transom mount that just screws to the outside of the transom just below water level. Or you can 'Glue' the transducer inside the hull.

Try searching the forums for this topic and you will end up with hours of reading on the subject.

Nasher

jwalker · 25 October 2006, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomcat

HI

I'm looking to add a GPSMAP178C to a 4.8m Ribcraft. do i need the external tranducers for an "on Console fit" in order to use the fishfinder element. if so does anybody have any pictures of the transducers fitted, and how hard is it to add the transducers.

many thanks

Tom

Tom, when you mention the 'on consol fit' could you be confusing the external or internal antenna option with the transducer?

bedajim · 26 October 2006, 16:33

Hi

I had mine mounted on the console with the supplied bracket and three m4 stainless bolts allen head. I went for an internal antenna for the gps less wiring and it was fine and then mounted the sounder/fish finder on the transom again no problems just two holes filled with silicon and the wire in a length of flexible conduit, just my fishing that needs to improve

James

tomcat · 26 October 2006, 22:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

Tom, when you mention the 'on consol fit' could you be confusing the external or internal antenna option with the transducer?

I don't think so i understand the GPS antenna can be internal / external.

but on reflection i might of been having a funny five minutes re the tranducer.

ian parkes · 26 October 2006, 22:30

My boat has , or had a transom mount at the waterline for the transducer . Its a pain in the ass .
It causes and anoying spray of water and if the sea is rough it just comes off the mount and ends up thrown inside the boat dangling on its wire .

Tomas · 02 November 2006, 14:41

I have found it impossible to get a transom mount working at any speed on my 4.7 SeaRider. The hull design does not allow me to place a hull mount transducer. It seems that either the cavitation from the prop or the disturbed water from the hull creates too much interference for any good returns. Sitting still it works to 900-100 ft. depth.

Now I use my GPS with Bluewater Charts and follow the Bathymetric depth lines for guidance. I'm looking to stay in the 350 ft. depth area hunting Wahoo and the charts keep me pretty close. I tested by stopping and comparing the sounder and was usually within 30-50 ft.

If anyone has successfully mounted a transom transducer on a Searider, please chime in!

bedajim · 02 November 2006, 16:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomas

I have found it impossible to get a transom mount working at any speed on my 4.7 SeaRider. The hull design does not allow me to place a hull mount transducer. It seems that either the cavitation from the prop or the disturbed water from the hull creates too much interference for any good returns. Sitting still it works to 900-100 ft. depth.

Now I use my GPS with Bluewater Charts and follow the Bathymetric depth lines for guidance. I'm looking to stay in the 350 ft. depth area hunting Wahoo and the charts keep me pretty close. I tested by stopping and comparing the sounder and was usually within 30-50 ft.

If anyone has successfully mounted a transom transducer on a Searider, please chime in!

Hi

The pictures in my post are from my searider and it worked fine, I had it further out to start with but then had to move it when I fitted the trim tabs to the position shown

James

ian parkes · 02 November 2006, 18:28

James that looks the same as mine , and mounted in the same position .

How do you keep it on there , as soon as I hit some rough water it usually ends up thrown back into the boat dangling from the wire ,

The mont stays screwed on ok but the transducer just comes off .

Its broken the mount now so I give up ,

As for finding fish the Black back Gulls seem to know where they are better than my fishfinder .

bedajim · 03 November 2006, 04:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian parkes

James that looks the same as mine , and mounted in the same position .

How do you keep it on there , as soon as I hit some rough water it usually ends up thrown back into the boat dangling from the wire ,

The mont stays screwed on ok but the transducer just comes off .

Its broken the mount now so I give up ,

As for finding fish the Black back Gulls seem to know where they are better than my fishfinder .

Ian

On mine the bracket and transducer as connected with one long bolt so it could rotate but can't come off without the bolt being removed.

They have groves on the meeting faces so you can set the angle and then tighten the nyloc nut, I 'll take a pic on Monday

James

ian parkes · 03 November 2006, 18:35

it sounds like a better mount than mine .

My mount screws to the boat and the the Transducer clips into it .

It sort of hinges up but the mount is cracked now .

The little spray of water it made was anoying and water used to blow into the boat if the wind was behind .

bedajim · 08 November 2006, 07:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian parkes

it sounds like a better mount than mine .

My mount screws to the boat and the the Transducer clips into it .

It sort of hinges up but the mount is cracked now .

The little spray of water it made was anoying and water used to blow into the boat if the wind was behind .

Ian
pictures of mine

you can see I hope the mounting and the bracket both have lugs so it can't come off

James

ian parkes · 08 November 2006, 17:34

It looks a bit stronger than mine but surely it still kicks up a messy spray ,
I still don't think that would last on my boat ??