Help Mounting Transducer

[Matt McMillen]

Hey guys, Im planning on mounting the new structure scan transducer as well as the skimmer for my HDS 9. I purchased a Transducer Mounting plate( 4"x 12") to mount the transducers to the back of my 2005 Bass Tracker . I understand the Structure scan transducer must be mounted above the skimmer, but i don't know the best area to screw in the mounting plate! Advice please! I attached a picture below of the back of the boat to show the areas i could mount it. 

[Wayne P.]

The number one issue with the 2D transducer is you have it in the wrong place now. That has been a screw-up ever since Tracker did the stepped transom. It needs to be at the bottom of the hull on the step, not the bottom of the transom like this:

That was finally corrected in the 2012 models.

 

Next the LSS transducer can be anywhere on the transom as long as the motor does not hit it.

That means the tranducers will be on two different vertical surfaces. The LSS can be directly above the 2D transducer since the 2D will be forward of the transom (recessed). That will give you the best overlay images.

[Matt McMillen]

The number one issue with the 2D transducer is you have it in the wrong place now. That has been a screw-up ever since Tracker did the stepped transom. It needs to be at the bottom of the hull on the step, not the bottom of the transom like this:

That was finally corrected in the 2012 models.

 

Next the LSS transducer can be anywhere on the transom as long as the motor does not hit it.

That means the tranducers will be on two different vertical surfaces. The LSS can be directly above the 2D transducer since the 2D will be forward of the transom (recessed). That will give you the best overlay images.

 

hey, i removed all the hardware and what not, the picture was just to provide a visual on the step(because it was a poor design and doesn't make much sense on a tin boat lol)! but does it matter whether i mount it on the left or right?

[Wayne P.]

No, the hull design is great, just the transducer placement is the issue.

 

No, it makes no difference what side of the outboard the transducers are attached, Just be sure and not have the 2D transducer in line with a hull strake. It should be about 6"+ towards the keel from the strake.

Additionally check the bottom of your hull for any dents or depressions, you don't want the transducer aft of those.

 

With that skateboard LSS transducer, you will have to trim out when scanning so the SS pulse on the motor side can "see" past the engine. Some add a jackplate to get the clearance and a little better hull performace.

[Matt McMillen]

No, the hull design is great, just the transducer placement is the issue.

 

No, it makes no difference what side of the outboard the transducers are attached, Just be sure and not have the 2D transducer in line with a hull strake. It should be about 6"+ towards the keel from the strake.

Additionally check the bottom of your hull for any dents or depressions, you don't want the transducer aft of those.

 

With that skateboard LSS transducer, you will have to trim out when scanning so the SS pulse on the motor side can "see" past the engine. Some add a jackplate to get the clearance and a little better hull performace.

would it be worth adding a jack plate for a 25hp merc? Also, is there anything else i could do to avoid having to trim while scanning with the lss

[Wayne P.]

would it be worth adding a jack plate for a 25hp merc? Also, is there anything else i could do to avoid having to trim while scanning with the lss

It won't give you any performance enhancements---just clearance.

 

The only other option to increase the LSS clearance is to put it under the step. That offset is about 5".

You would be reversing the transducer direction, but there is a unit setting to take care of that.

[Matt McMillen]

It won't give you any performance enhancements---just clearance.

 

The only other option to increase the LSS clearance is to put it under the step. That offset is about 5".

You would be reversing the transducer direction, but there is a unit setting to take care of that.

makes sense. Would i still need to make sure the structure scan is above the skimmer?

[Wayne P.]

makes sense. Would i still need to make sure the structure scan is above the skimmer?

The "above" is a suggestion and not practical in some situations.

 

Lots of fiberglass boats have the 2D transducer as a shoot-thru and have the LSS on the transom.

The theory is to keep the two transducers within 12" of each other to get a somewhat usable overlay image.

But I don't know of anyone that uses that feature all the time. It is more of a gimmick/cute feature.

 

The right side of this image has the overlay 2D/Down Scan with a shoot-thru and transom LSS:

 

 

Pretty underwhelming IMHO.

[WIGuide]

On my old boat, I had the transducers set up side by side. My downscan overlay was spot on and looked nothing like the picture Wayne keeps showing. It was a helpful feature since you could combined the 2D and downscan in one pane leaving more room for other panes.

[Wayne P.]

On my old boat, I had the transducers set up side by side. My downscan overlay was spot on and looked nothing like the picture Wayne keeps showing. It was a helpful feature since you could combined the 2D and downscan in one pane leaving more room for other panes.

 That screen shot was sent to me by a friend that has the setup in a Bass Cat. He uses a shoot-thru 2D transducer and has the LSS on the jackplate.

[Matt McMillen]

On my old boat, I had the transducers set up side by side. My downscan overlay was spot on and looked nothing like the picture Wayne keeps showing. It was a helpful feature since you could combined the 2D and downscan in one pane leaving more room for other panes.

Were they side by side on the step? Or above the step?

[WIGuide]

 That screen shot was sent to me by a friend that has the setup in a Bass Cat. He uses a shoot-thru 2D transducer and has the LSS on the jackplate.

I had the skimmer and the lss-2 mounted side by side on the transom with the lss-2 slightly lower down the V. What I was seeing looked a whole lot better than what your friend sent you. If that's what you're basing your rating of that feature on I can see why you feel the way you do about it.

 

Were they side by side on the step? Or above the step?

My previous boat didn't have a step so they were on the transom. My new one has the step and they are mounted under it to the right of the engine. That's where I'd suggest you mount yours as there they will be getting the cleanest water. Just remember to not mount them right behind or close to a strake as that can mess with the readings due to too much turbulence.

[Wayne P.]

I had the skimmer and the lss-2 mounted side by side on the transom with the lss-2 slightly lower down the V. What I was seeing looked a whole lot better than what your friend sent you. If that's what you're basing your rating of that feature on I can see why you feel the way you do about it.

 

My previous boat didn't have a step so they were on the transom. My new one has the step and they are mounted under it to the right of the engine. That's where I'd suggest you mount yours as there they will be getting the cleanest water. Just remember to not mount them right behind or close to a strake as that can mess with the readings due to too much turbulence.

 

 

No, the slight offset of the Down Scan and 2D sonar wasn't my base for my comment. Just the feature itself.

[Matt McMillen]

I had the skimmer and the lss-2 mounted side by side on the transom with the lss-2 slightly lower down the V. What I was seeing looked a whole lot better than what your friend sent you. If that's what you're basing your rating of that feature on I can see why you feel the way you do about it.

 

My previous boat didn't have a step so they were on the transom. My new one has the step and they are mounted under it to the right of the engine. That's where I'd suggest you mount yours as there they will be getting the cleanest water. Just remember to not mount them right behind or close to a strake as that can mess with the readings due to too much turbulence.

Awesome! Thats where I'm planning to put the mounting plate for them!