Fitting Garmin fishfinder

[spartacus]

I was lucky enough to receive a Garmin Echo 151 fishfinder from my brother for Christmas.

After a couple of beers I read through the suitably vague instructions from Garmin. There's a fairly detailed step by step guide on the main unit and wiring to battery, but nothing on the transducer itself.

I'm fitting this to a Ribcraft 4.8. I'm thinking that I'll run the wiring to the transducer under the deck via the witches hat near the drain well. Hate opening that damn thing up to run new wiring, but there's a cord in place for the purpose to haul through odds and ends. It does mention that you can drill a hole in the transom near the top for a tidier finish. Good or bad idea, or simply run it over the top of the transom?

Lastly the tranducer. I know this should be fitted as close as possible to the centre line of the boat and the transducer should be slightly lower than stepped hull section. I assume the transducer can be quick released? Only reason I mention this, is I've recovered the boat on more tha couple of times from sand in relatively shallow water rather than wait another couple of hours for the tide to change, and I don't want to risk damaging the unit as I winch onto the trailer.

Picture of the transom for reference. Reckon I could run the cable down next to the main engine saddle.

[simon23]

Following the advice from someone on ribnet I have glued mine on the inside of the hull under the deck works great and hasn't been snapped off since

[matt h]

I prefer the inside of the bilge as you have said, but on the DV transducer, it needs a direct path and is also a much more substantial bracket..in Pic 2 this was bonded infront of the bilge pump which i'm guessing you are aiming for(you can just see it) hope the pics helps

[Phil M]

I have the DV transducer on mine and it folds out of the way if it gets knocked. The bracket is pretty sturdy too so shouldn't be a problem.

Phil M

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by spartacus

I was lucky enough to receive a Garmin Echo 151 fishfinder from my brother for Christmas.

After a couple of beers I read through the suitably vague instructions from Garmin. There's a fairly detailed step by step guide on the main unit and wiring to battery, but nothing on the transducer itself.

I'm fitting this to a Ribcraft 4.8. I'm thinking that I'll run the wiring to the transducer under the deck via the witches hat near the drain well. Hate opening that damn thing up to run new wiring, but there's a cord in place for the purpose to haul through odds and ends. It does mention that you can drill a hole in the transom near the top for a tidier finish. Good or bad idea, or simply run it over the top of the transom?




Lastly the tranducer. I know this should be fitted as close as possible to the centre line of the boat and the transducer should be slightly lower than stepped hull section. I assume the transducer can be quick released? Only reason I mention this, is I've recovered the boat on more tha couple of times from sand in relatively shallow water rather than wait another couple of hours for the tide to change, and I don't want to risk damaging the unit as I winch onto the trailer.
Picture of the transom for reference. Reckon I could run the cable down next to the main engine saddle.

here you go mate had both on mine shoot through hull on garmin kick up on transom for side scan humminbird didnt drill transom just run over to be honest if the cable gets damaged there its the least of your worries.
kick ups work ok when dragging on sand but i use to pull mine up on the ratchet.
the diagram is for a lowrence but the same for the kick up, shoot through on an angle on the transducer to allow for deadrise.

hope that helps cheers
bugger ignor top two i will send diagram

[jeffstevens763@g]

here you go

[spartacus]

Cheers guys. Finally managed to get the transducer instructions, but appreciate the pictures and fitting suggestions.

Been raining here for a week solid, so will find some time at the weekend to make a start. Boat is on the garage, so I can work in relative comfort.

I bought a Blue Sea Systems fuse box, as my wiring needs a proper tidy up. Nice bit of kit, and feels substantial, not cheap, but you get what you pay for. The fuses are standard size which is great.

I plan to run the wiring under the deck from the console and out through the rubber witches hat near the drain well and up and over the transom. Don't want to drill the transom.

[jeffstevens763@g]

you could always spiral wrap the transducer cable for extra protection and fasten with P clips or stick on pads for cable ties RS supplies have all that and post over night.

cheers

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by spartacus

Cheers guys. Finally managed to get the transducer instructions, but appreciate the pictures and fitting suggestions.



Been raining here for a week solid, so will find some time at the weekend to make a start. Boat is on the garage, so I can work in relative comfort.



I bought a Blue Sea Systems fuse box, as my wiring needs a proper tidy up. Nice bit of kit, and feels substantial, not cheap, but you get what you pay for. The fuses are standard size which is great.



I plan to run the wiring under the deck from the console and out through the rubber witches hat near the drain well and up and over the transom. Don't want to drill the transom.

Get yourself some of the fuses with the LED indicators that show when the fuse has blown. A tad dearer but much easier to see in a murky console.

[Phil M]

Great unit, the blue sea fuse box. I have the same one and really like that it has holders for spares in the cover. I read some advice in a few places to cover the back with grease before fitting, and put a little grease on the contacts and fuses too. I have no idea if it is really required but I did mine with spray grease and it is not rusting after 14 months. Certainly doesn't hurt to be on the cautious side I guess!.

Phil M