In Hull Transducer !

[Skinnyrib]

Hi - I now have a Garmin 451S for my Zodiac 420DL - thought this would be easy to fit but am at my witts end with the P79 adjustable in hull transducer. The deadrise angle seems to great for this thing (?) - is the alternative a transom mount type ? Or will this interfere with my existing depth finder ? Any pointers would be appreciated as new to this lark but willing to learn !! Thanks

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Skinnyrib

Hi - I now have a Garmin 451S for my Zodiac 420DL - thought this would be easy to fit but am at my witts end with the P79 adjustable in hull transducer. The deadrise angle seems to great for this thing (?) - is the alternative a transom mount type ? Or will this interfere with my existing depth finder ? Any pointers would be appreciated as new to this lark but willing to learn !! Thanks

What's your problem exactly with the P79, why are you at your witzend?

[Skinnyrib]

Cheers Pikey Dave - I can not find a location to silicone the P79 onto the hull so that it is level - there isn't enough adjustment on it ??? The angle seems to graet for this transducer or am I missing something here ......

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Skinnyrib

Cheers Pikey Dave - I can not find a location to silicone the P79 onto the hull so that it is level - there isn't enough adjustment on it ??? The angle seems to graet for this transducer or am I missing something here ......

I take it you are trying to fix the P79 to the inside of the hull & not the deck. The angle of the transducer is adjustable through a fair range, so I'd be surprised if you can't get enough on it. You might have to glass a pad onto the inside of the hull if you can't get enough adjustment. Make sure that the area of hull is solid GRP without any wood, foam or air spaces. A well fitted through hull txr generally gives better results than a tansom mount, due to the better water flow past the face.

[Skinnyrib]

Yep - inside the hull towards the stern - I'll investigate again tomorrow but it is doing my head in ! Thanks

[captnjack]

Build a small "dam" out of modeling clay.
Fill it with liquid epoxy, do your best not to introduce any extra air bubbles into it.
Presto solid flat spot for a thru hull transducer.

[Skinnyrib]

Thanks captjack - sounds like a great idea and should sort the job !

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by captnjack

Build a small "dam" out of modeling clay.
Fill it with liquid epoxy, do your best not to introduce any extra air bubbles into it.
Presto solid flat spot for a thru hull transducer.

Yup! good idea, why didn't I think of that

[wavelength]

if you're putting it in a drain well try it out first (you might get away with the angle) by wedging it down in the proposed position with a bag of sand or sommat and thow some water in there after you've launched. As long as there is water between the face and the hull it will work for a try out. In fact my fishing boats had the transducer like that for years waiting til I got a roundtuit
If it works dry it out an blob it in with silicon...no air bubbles though as already said.

[Erin]

It's not easy, but bear in mind that what you're aiming for is to get the base of the actual sounder to be parallel with the water line. The angle you fit the base to your boat at will be quite off-putting, but once the head is bayonetted in place it will line up properly. If you know your deadrise angle you can preset the base unit to the correct angle as the angles are etched into the plastic.

[captnjack]

Originally Posted by Skinnyrib

Thanks captjack - sounds like a great idea and should sort the job !

You can do it with the boat in the water (ideal as long as its calm out while the epoxy sets) or on the trailer. Either way it should be close enough so that you can fine tune the angle adjustment later. And of course if you totally mess it up just move over a little and try again. A 6" blob of epoxy out of sight in your hull won't hurt anything.

[Skinnyrib]

Thanks again - I have identified a location -there aren't many possibilities as I have to work through a 4 inch diameter inspection hatch - would this transducer work in the bilge chamber adjacent to the pump - there is more room here ?? Cheers

[captnjack]

I don't see why not. Is the bilge flat already? No hull core or other non GRP voids in that area? You shouldn't get any electrical interference from a bilge pump.

[Skinnyrib]

Not wishing to make a meal of this ....but whilst the bilge is flat I think there is a small (3") void between the bottom of this and the keel - not composite just a gap. Is this going to inhibit performance of the sonar ? Thanks