Zodiac Futura and transducer

[_monkey]

I probably should have thought about this before ordering a Wi-fish, but the lure of a special offer was too much to resist.

I took a look at the transom to decide where best to place the transducer and noticed that the speed tubes extend below the lowest point on the transom, so I am concerned I won't be able to position the transducer so that it will be in the water when I'm planing.

Can anyone guide me to the best approach?

[Durhampro]

That is a great question, and very timely as well. I am currently assembling my new to me Futura and it comes with a depth gauge.

Probably a silly question but could a transducer shoot through the material on the bottom of the boat? If so could it be mounted on the inside beside the keel tube?

[_monkey]

I thought about the through hull transducer - neat and tidy option, but I am not sure how much of the hull near the transom is in the water due to the speed tubes.

The photo shows - not very well - that the speed tubes extend around 8cm below the centre point of the transom. My concern is that I am not sure how much of the transom is below the waterline when planing. I guess a water test is needed.

[Fenlander]

Have a look at post #19 on this thread where I do temp fit on clamped timber so I can experiment with depth positioning.

http://www.rib.net/forum/f37/garmin-...tec-69858.html

I've been surprised how far up the transducer can come and still get a dropout free reading at all speeds. If I'd guestimated a permanent position from the start I'd have set it far too low.

[office888]

Why not put it inside the boat so it projects the signal through the PVC? My understanding is that it works fine without signal degradation.

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by office888

Why not put it inside the boat so it projects the signal through the PVC? My understanding is that it works fine without signal degradation.

All my hard bottom boats had the transducer glued inside with epoxy. Since air bubbles are bad and direct contact is needed what kind of glue or setup would you recommend?

I had my MKII's sonar mounted to the starboard side due to prop rotation and on the transom between all the crap I had on my transom. More to the outside would be preferable, but my folding transom wheel legs were in the way. See photo below.

[psycho]

Just out of curiosity, Peter, what is the tube on the port side of the transom for...?????

[_monkey]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Have a look at post #19 on this thread where I do temp fit on clamped timber so I can experiment with depth positioning.

http://www.rib.net/forum/f37/garmin-...tec-69858.html

I've been surprised how far up the transducer can come and still get a dropout free reading at all speeds. If I'd guestimated a permanent position from the start I'd have set it far too low.

Thanks David - I'll build something similar to what you have there to figure the correct position. Out of interest what colour paint did you use - it looks a pretty good match for the Zodiac transom?

[Fenlander]

It's Halfords own brand matt black enamel. Nothing special about it but brushes out ok, dries quite quickly and the matt finish doesn't highlight brush marks or other defects.

Halfords Enamel Paint Matt Black 25...

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by psycho

Just out of curiosity, Peter, what is the tube on the port side of the transom for...?????

Outlet for the bilge pump. I put a Whale 500gph pump under the deck. One of the best enhancements I made to the boat, as it made beach recovery easier.