Help Mounting Transducer On Stepped Type Hull

[bcarter261]

Hi guys I'm just looking for some opinions on the best spot to mount this transducer on my Ranger 397v fish and ski. It's the stock hummingbird helix 5 si transducer.  I've searched and I cant seem to find a transom quite like mine. It's got 3 tiers so i'm not sure where would be best to mount this for optimal performance. I'm considering mounting a transducer board but i'm not sure i have room. Attached is a photo of the transom and drain areas. Please let me know what you think! 

[Ski213]

Depends on what you want it to do. If you need depth soundings at speed it's gonna have to be low on the hull. A through hull or shoot through hull transducer is best for that. Id contact humminbird. They're probably your best resource on the topic and in my experience very helpful.

[Lund Explorer]

Hi guys I'm just looking for some opinions on the best spot to mount this transducer on my Ranger 397v fish and ski. It's the stock hummingbird helix 5 si transducer.  I've searched and I cant seem to find a transom quite like mine. It's got 3 tiers so i'm not sure where would be best to mount this for optimal performance. I'm considering mounting a transducer board but i'm not sure i have room. Attached is a photo of the transom and drain areas. Please let me know what you think! 

 

The 300 Series Ranger I used to own had a thru-hull transducer, but I'm not sure if that would work with an SI transducer.  You may have to mount it on the top tier and give up on any high speed readings.  I have seen others with transducers mounted up there.

[Way2slow]

I know nothing about the 5SI but I'm guessing the SI only works at less than 10 mph. If so and you would be happy just being able to use it while off plane and fishing or scouting out spots you can mount it on the rear section the motor is mounted on.

Now, if you want to use it while still running at WOT, it's probably will have to be mounted on that riser just above the bunk board if it will fit without being to far down in the water. I think that's a fairly large Xducer.

Depending on how fast your boat is and how much it gets up on the pad, there may be enough water contact to mount it on that middle step, but you will have the possibility of it loosing contact at WOT, or enough turbulence to interfere with the signal.

It really looks like it's not going to fit on the riser, that Middle tear is where I would mount it and hope it makes enough contact at WOT to still give a signal. WOT is probably the only time it might not work there. At slower economic speeds there is probably enough water contact to work.

[CrazyFluker]

If you have a trolling motor you could attach to it. They make a transducer saver that you can use to keep it safe. I understand you might want to see what's going on while moving so may not be ideal.

 

I've watched a lot of videos on youtube where they mount them right to the boat. I know you want to be careful not to place in an area that will get hit with bubbles. I've seen people attach them to then move it over 6" to avoid disturbance.

 

Good luck

[bcarter261]

Thanks for the help everyone I mounted it on the 2nd tier to the right and went for a spin today. Seems to be getting good signal it's a clear image. Able to get readings to a good enough speed for me.