How to Mount a Fish Finder Transducer? The Easy Way

By Wade Johnson

How to Mount a Fish Finder TransducerLet’s just admit that we are bound to take help either from people or from advanced technology. Surprisingly, even in the fishing sport, due to recent technological advancements, experts have successfully created your third eye, which is called a transducer in the fish-finder devices.

The best thing about a transducer is that it helps you see what is going under there with convenience and ease and get a reasonable profitable outcome. And professional anglers are aware of the fact that a proper transducer mounting leads to proper fish-finder performance.

How does a transducer work?

Well, A transducer functions as an energy converter into an electrical signal, it is like a delicate sensitive camera. That energy varies from thermal energy, dynamic energy, mechanical energy, pressure energy, chemical energy, sound energy,  to light energy. And that’s why there is more than one type of technology of a transducer.

The most popular types of transducers are the Temperature Transducer, Ultrasonic Transducer, Pressure Transducer and Piezoelectric Transducer.

As far as passive transducers are concerned, the presence of an external power source is vital, same as inductive, restrictive, and capacitive transducers. You might get confused with too many different types, but how to properly mount a transducer is the main key to proper transducer work.

How to mount a fish finder transducer?

And here comes the most obvious question, how to mount a transducer correctly and accurately? That is what we will explain in this article.

Different Mounting Methods

Generally, There are 3 types of transducers exist that require different mounting methods depending on what type of boat or the particular amount you choose to use. Secondly, each method has its pros and cons, so consider first what option would be suitable for your boat.

Thru-Hull transducer

Thru-Hull transducers stick out directly into the water through a hole that is drilled in the bottom of the boat. Thru-hull transducers are usually considered to give better performance but on the other hand, it is the most expensive one as well. Thru-hull transducers are best for displacement hull boats with shaft inboard engines.

It is important thru-hull transducers are positioned in front of the propeller, rudder, keel or anything that could possibly cause turbulence that will reduce the level of performance of the transducer. Thru-hull transducers should be mounted in the water and precisely angled downwards. A fairing block will be needed to facilitate proper mounting in order to keep the transducer perpendicular to the bottom.

Pros

  • Enhanced performance
  • Best at fast speed

Cons

  • A hole cut in the hull is needed
  • Require some extra maintenance

Transom Mount Transducer

This type of transducer is usually mounted directly on the boat’s transom at the stern of the boat. The location of the transducer in the water should be below the level of the hull. Furthermore, transom mount transducers are mostly plastic, that’s why it is considered the most common type used and only cheapest of the transducer types currently available.

So the best overall size of a boat with a planning hull using a transom mount transducer is usually less than 30 feet. Usually, such types of boats with outboards, inboard-outboard and jet drives. They are not suitable for large or twin screw inboard boats. The reason behind this is the aerated water from the propeller that will reduce performance. They are also not considered best for use at high speed.

Moreover, a transom mount transducer must be slightly tilted forward when the boat is in the water. So as the boat moves there is a smooth flow of water moving across it. Also, it could easily be angled from 3 to 16 degrees if required.

Pros

  • Not much expensive
  • Easy installation

Cons

In-Hull Transducer

In-hull transducers are typically stuck to the inside of fibreglass hulls and they do not work with wood, aluminium, or steel hulls or with hull foam padded pockets. So, any metal, wood, or foam layers on top of the fibreglass hull should be removed in order to make the in-hull transducer work.

In-hull transducers are usually considered less effective than transom mount or thru-hull. The problem with the In-hull transducer is that the signals need to be transmitted and received through the hull of the boat.

Pros

  • Require less maintenance
  • A hole in the hull is not required

Cons

  • Minor issues with fish detection
  • Lack of maximum depth capability

Installation of a Transom Mount Transducer in five simple steps

    1. Do not compromise on transducer mounting location, find the best one
    2. Now start preparing the mounting location
    3. Now assemble the transducer and initiate with initial mounting steps
    4. Pass the Transducers cable through the boat
    5. Transducer Cable connection to the transducer

Conclusion

After going through three different types of transducers and their mounting methods in detail along with their pros and cons, now you would probably be in a better position to understand the transducer mounting process. Apparently, Thru-Hull transducers are more efficient as they can be used at a very fast speed. .

Wade Johnson
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