advice required fitting a depth sounder transducer

[kingfisher69]

I have recently purchased an 4m avon searider rib with a flooding hull and i intend fitting a depth sounder it is my intention to glass the transducer direct to the deck in a oil filled tube hence it will have to sound through the thickness of the deck plus the distance of the flooding hull approx 150mm does anyone know if the transducer will function correctly having to pass through the deck, the void in the hull and the keel good advice much appreciated

[Hugh Jardon]

Originally Posted by kingfisher69

I have recently purchased an 4m avon searider rib with a flooding hull and i intend fitting a depth sounder it is my intention to glass the transducer direct to the deck in a oil filled tube hence it will have to sound through the thickness of the deck plus the distance of the flooding hull approx 150mm does anyone know if the transducer will function correctly having to pass through the deck, the void in the hull and the keel good advice much appreciated

i did that in a boat of mine 10 yrs ago and i would not recommend using a tube, you are probably better just bonding the transducer to the hull using sikoflex but taking care not to get any air trapped

that should then work fine

[Biggles]

Hugh,

Do think that will work through the flooding hull ? I once thought about that when I had my searider but didn't think it would work.

Maybe Sikaflex it in the flooding hull and run the cable up the back of the transom. That would keep it off the deck as well so it doesn't get kicked or stood on.

NR.

[Downhilldai]

Agree with Biggles - once you get the Searider up on the plane, the hull will empty and the transducer will be reading through a void, which will give poor soundings. The option of fitting it inside the hull is a good one, but it may be a difficult thing to fix in place - perhaps you'd be better just fixing it to the outside of the transom alongside the hole?

[jwalker]

Kingfisher, do a search. Mounting depth transducers is a frequent question and it has been discussed many times.

Shooting through your empty hull will not work.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by kingfisher69

I have recently purchased an 4m avon searider rib with a flooding hull and i intend fitting a depth sounder it is my intention to glass the transducer direct to the deck in a oil filled tube hence it will have to sound through the thickness of the deck plus the distance of the flooding hull approx 150mm does anyone know if the transducer will function correctly having to pass through the deck, the void in the hull and the keel good advice much appreciated

It won't work properly. The flooding hull doesn't lose all the air in there-you can hear water moving in there while at rest so there must still be an air gap.
As said before it won't work when you're moving either.

Stick it on the transom or inside the flooding hull and then it'll work.

What year is your sr4?

My old sr4 had a transom mounted transducer and it worked really well-even at 40 knots.

[Biggles]

Mine worked well on the first chine up. The picture below shows the location. That was an old Navman transducer which was later replaced with an Eagle. Only downside was if you beached it it sometimes got knocked up.

[kingfisher69]

thanks for all your help guys it looks like its either transom mount or access the deck and fit direct to the outer skin inside the void mmmmm decisions decisions

[Biggles]

Originally Posted by kingfisher69

thanks for all your help guys it looks like its either transom mount or access the deck and fit direct to the outer skin inside the void mmmmm decisions decisions

Not too sure what you mean about access the deck.

I'd go for my suggestion of sikaflexing it in the void by putting your hand through the water outlet hole, then running the cable back out the hole and up over the top of the transom.

[IBWET]

On my SR4, I managed to epoxy the round sender (after keying the hull)directly onto the planing pad accessed through the hole at the back.

I drilled a hole between the 4 seats passed the sender cable and the power up through a witches hat along with the power to the bilge pump I also managed to fit through the hole Then round the side to the dash for switching.
Worked gggrreat!!!

Originally Posted by kingfisher69

I have recently purchased an 4m avon searider rib with a flooding hull and i intend fitting a depth sounder it is my intention to glass the transducer direct to the deck in a oil filled tube hence it will have to sound through the thickness of the deck plus the distance of the flooding hull approx 150mm does anyone know if the transducer will function correctly having to pass through the deck, the void in the hull and the keel good advice much appreciated