Garmin 73SV

We are looking at this sonar to replace an old Hummingbird on a 16' Tracker Panfisher stick steer. This boat is equipped with a late 1980's Mariner 20 HP 2 stroke long shaft engine. This engine has only two trim positions; all the way up...or all the way down. The cavitation plate is online with the bottom of the hull on centerline, which appears to be acceptable.

My question is, can this sonar transducer (with side imaging) replace the old hockey puck transducer that is currently on this rig? And still be able to utilize the SI capability? I'm under the impression that nothing can be on either side of these transducers, but I could be wrong. We would normally only use the SI screen when slow cruising deep water structures. Just don't want to spend the money to upgrade and not be able to use it. Thanks for any input folks. Very much appreciated. :salute:

Lots of people have the same situation.

Mount the new transducer as close to the keel as you can but still have it just a hair outside the prop arc. That will minimize the blockage on the left side. Sideview will still work even with some blockage. You will just get a line near the center of the screen where the signal bounces off the lower unit. You should still be able to see the bottom on the left side - at least to some degree.