Shoot-Thru-Hull Transducer Installation

[Hitman7]

I've got a 2001 Cobra and am getting ready to install a new Lowrance unit. my question is regarding if it's ok to mount the shoot-thru-hull transducer inthe bilge of my model year boat. As I read the instructions they dont recommend installation with a sandwhiched hull...I pressume my year has a layer of wood between the fiberglass. Does someone know? I think it was 2002 when Cobra began the all composite hulls right?

Let me know

Thanks

Hitman

[Backlash Ar]

Yes, you're correct that 2002 was the first year an all composite boat became available from Viper. However, they still made a wood encapsulated with fiberglass boat that year too. The all composite boat in 2002 costs about $1K more back then.

As for the transducer installation in the bilge area, be sure to remove the small hatch door and look at the substructure of the hull. You don't want to mount that transducer over any area that has any type of reinforcement or the signal won't shoot through.

[Hitman7]

any idea where they mounted the factory puck for my flasher? Is it in near the rear of the bilge? I saw a post that it was under the floor drain.

Hitman

[Backlash Ar]

Yes, many were mounted under the floor drain a little toward the bow. Not sure that is the best place because of the keel but it didn't seem to hurt anything. Mine was there and I never had any problems with it. (You sure don't have to worry about bow lift losing the signal ). Some food for thought...A possibility would be to notch out a space big enough for the diameter of the transducer wire in the hatch door in the battery area and mount the transducer on the bottom of the hull.

[Strokerdean]

On my 99 201d the front graph transducer was installed under the front floor drain. When it went bad, I mounted the new one on the tm which gave me a better feel for depth at the front of the boat while fishing. The console graph transducer was mounted in the rear under the removable panel epoxied to the bottom of the hull. the area needs to be very clean for the epoxy to stick.
Dean

[MigAz]

I just installed my puck-type t'ducer in the bilge area next to the factory installed unit. I used fiberglass resin with the hardener and it was fine. Just be sure to clean the area of any grease and grime.

[Hitman7]

I finished up my install. I noticed the factor puck for the flasher was installed on the side of the bilge not pointing directly down. I moved it to the very rear of the bilge and installed the new puck in the bottom of the V. Thanks for everyone's input.


Hitman

[mercury_pro]

in my years of doing that..i would of used rtv silicone and a small foward tilt...being on plane you need it to show you when it gets shallow and when in shallow area it doesnt matter... when the resin gets hard more chance of a air pocket between the puck and hull...do not paint the bottom of the boat (bottom paint -- aka anti fowel paint..good luck...buts its only a opinoin..

[MigAz]

Yep, I would dam up resin w/ a oversized o-ring and compensate for the slope. This set the puck in the optimum orientation. Good luck!