Putting a Fish Finder Transducer on a Boat in 3 Easy Steps

Although mounting fish finder transducers to a boat is not something that just anyone can perform, there are specific basic steps that are outlined in this article.

What is the Fish Finder Transducer?

The fish transducer is used to measure fish depth and return the signal to you, which comprises the transmitter and the receiver. The transmitter works as a small oscillator and sends out a sound wave of a particular frequency while the receiver receives the sound waves and converts them into an electric signal. 

How to Mount a Transducer on an Aluminum Boat

This device may be mounted on a boat or dock, allowing you to monitor the depths of fish above your location for fishing reasons.

Step 1: Positioning the Mounting Angle 

The first step is to set the mounting angle. The fish finder transducer can be installed in two positions: surface and subsurface. For subsurface installation, the transducer should be mounted 45-degrees below the waterline. When mounting it surface level, we recommend installing it at a 90-degree angle to the waterline or mounting it perpendicular to the waterline (straight up and down) with a horizontal arm extension directly behind the tail fin. Make sure to level your mount to assure accurate readings, and you don’t get a skewed picture.

Step 2: Brackets to Mount the Transducer

Fish Finders are mounted with brackets bolted to the deck. The brackets are made of aluminum, stainless steel, or some other type of metal.

Step 3: Adding the Transducer to the Bracket

It’s simple to connect the transducer to the bracket. The transducer is slipped onto the bracket’s stud, and then the nut on top is tightened. If you overtighten, you risk damaging your fishfinder. When attaching fish finders, keep in mind that you don’t want to damage anything underneath your boat. Especially if the hull is made of fiberglass. Connect the cables of your transducer to a battery and turn it on. If your device isn’t showing any images, double-check that the negative and positive cables are securely connected. Make the Transducer Work! Once you’ve got everything ready, switch on your fish finder and start sailing towards your destination.

What Materials You Will Need

Transom-mount Transducer 

To mount the transducer on your boat, you will need a transom-mount transducer. Transom-mount transducer of fish finder transducer is an accessory that is mounted on the transom of a boat. It transmits the image under the surface to the fish finder’s screen through an interface cable with two contacts. The cable can also accommodate audio signals by way of microphone and speaker connectors on its ends. The Transom-mount transducer transmits the signal from fish finders at speeds up to 16 km/h (10 mph). It requires power for operation, and it may require mounting hardware adapted for custom applications. There are different designs, but they all serve the same purpose – transmitting images of the underwater environment to a screen mounted on a fish-finding device. You can find these in various styles, but most often, they are intended for boat racing and outboards with an aluminum or fiberglass hull. These mount with screws and silicone adhesive.

Power Drill (Drill Bit Set and Countersink) 

A power drill is the best tool to use in attaching the plastic mounting bracket to your boat. Generally, the drill bit is a 3/8 inch size with a countersink hole for a screw. A “countersink” is a drill bit with a small circular countersunk area, so the screw head will sit flush on the surface and not be visible.

Marine Sealant 

Marine sealant helps thread the transducer mounting bracket into the holes of your boat and protect the threads of the screws when you remove them.

Electric Cable 

Electric cables come in various sizes and colors, and you can usually find one at your local hardware store. But, first, you need to know the gauge of the wire you choose to handle the power demands from your fishfinder properly. In most cases, a five-gauge wire is fine.

Masking Tape or Cable Clamp 

A good hollow seal is necessary to ensure a power connection. Masking tape is a great way to ensure a wire isn’t going to the fray over time and is protected from the elements such as sun, snow, and ice. Cable clamps are a good alternative for this task since they can be tightened around a cable to help keep it from fraying. The task is done by twisting the clamp so that the cable will not move through it while also ensuring a tight seal.

Mounting Bracket 

Mounting bracket You should have a mounting bracket that comes with your fishfinder transducer. This bracket will vary by model, but all of them usually include the proper hardware for installation. Either way, you need a mounting bracket to mount the transducer to your boat. The mounting bracket should have holes in the top, bottom, and side of it that you can thread into your boat using screws or nails.

Working forms of Fish Finder Transducer

There are two types of fish finder transducers in use. One of them is to send a short sound pulse down to the bottom and wait for the return echo to see how far away it is. The alternative option is to continually broadcast a sound of a known frequency and detect the Doppler shift in frequency caused by the boat’s velocity. Both systems have their benefits and drawbacks. A short pulse transmission has the problem of being impacted by noise from other boats, waves, and so forth. It’s also not very precise because it calculates how far away from the bottom you are at the current pace. But, on the other hand, short pulse transmission has the advantage of being able to locate fish in the water. Continuous transmission has the disadvantage of not allowing you to tell how far away from the bottom you are because it does not wait for the sound wave to return. However, any massive object in water will appear on the broad beam display in this manner. In addition, continuous transmission is more precise than short pulse transmission since it gauges distance by speed.

4 Types of Fish Finder Transducer 

One of the most important things for anyone who enjoys fishing is getting a fish finder. That is why you need to choose your fish finders carefully because they will become your best friend and lifesaver during fishing trips. Different types of fish finder transducers can help you decide if one is suitable for your needs.

Transom Mount

Almost all fish finders have a transducer that mounts to the back of a boat. This type of mount is called a transom mount. The transducer is mounted under the boat near the propeller and uses an array of sound beams to measure underwater echoes from objects in the path of these sound beams. An acoustic processor calculates the distance between near objects to determine the location underwater. The type of transducer found on boats is called a “passive” transducer because it relies on passive sound beams. The energy from the waves reflected from objects in the water is sensed by an array of spaced microphones. When this sound beam passes through the material, it tends to split or break up into different beams that are weaker or scattered. This change in travel path makes it difficult for the transducer to measure underwater echoes accurately.

In-Hull Mounting

The in-hull mount is ideal when limited space prevents mounting a transducer on the outside of the hull. A transducer for in-hull installation requires a 1″ hole to pass electrical cables through. Some transducers are designed with cables that are already assembled, making it easy to mount them in-hull. Installing the cables through fittings inside the hull can be challenging, but there are ways to make this process easier. 

Thru-Hull Mounting

If transom or in-hull mounting is not possible, many anglers choose to install the transducer through the hull. The thru-hull mount position is not ideal because it’s difficult to see and can cause interference with propeller and rudder movement. Through hull installation also increases the chance that a wayward anchor will hit a boat. It’s best to install a transducer for this type of rig in the water rather than on the boat.

Trolling Motor Mounting

Trolling Motor Mounting is not recommended because it reduces signal from the transducer to the processor. Trolling motors tend to move the boat, which may disrupt the ability of a fish finder to locate fish. In addition, some fish finders have a built-in antenna that may interfere with a trolling motor. Ice Fishing Transducers are a type of fish finder transducer used to find the position of a fish under the surface of the ice. Two types of ice fishing transducers are commonly available, which are dome or teardrop-shaped. The dome shape transducer is better for more considerable water depths, while the teardrop-shaped transducer is better suited for smaller depths of water. Ice fishing transducers are unique because they need to be perfectly balanced to avoid unwanted vibrations. 

FAQs

1. Can You Glue a Transducer on a Boat? 

You can’t glue a transducer on a boat. However, it can be screwed into the hull of the boat and then sealed with marine epoxy. (The screws will need to be replaced every few years as they rust/corrode).

2. What Is the Ideal Location on a Yacht to Attach a Transducer? 

The most fantastic location is right on the water’s edge. You’ll be able to get excellent readings on deep fish as well as fish that are close to the water’s surface. It would be preferable if you could point it in the direction of a location with more fish or where you believe there might be some fish. On boats, the two most standard mounting locations are: 1) immediately below the hull and 2) towards the back on an inside surface, such as the starboard side of the console. The first position is ideal for small boats, as waves will less influence the transducer if the boat has a flat bottom. Furthermore, attachment to the hull is quick and straightforward. Larger fishing boats will benefit from the second position since the transducer will be better protected from waves and accidental collisions with items near the boat. A transducer mounted on an internal surface is likewise less apparent from the exterior of the boat. However, because placing a transducer inside a boat is difficult, some individuals opt to mount it on the hull of their boat, where the operation is easier to complete.

3. Does the Transducer Need to be in the Water to Work? No, But It Would Make Sense for It to be at Least 

Partially submerged to communicate with satellites overhead which provides information on ocean depth, temperature, etc.

4 Where should I attach my transducer? 

To receive the most precise readings, transducers should be positioned in a fishing site. The ideal position to attach the transducer is determined by the type of fishing you do. If you’re fishing shallow, anything less than 30 feet deep, put the transducer below the boat. The transducer will be installed on top of the boat facing towards shore if you are fishing deep or near shore.

5. What Is the Best Location for a Kayak Transducer?

This can vary depending on where you plan to fish and what activities you want to pursue during your trip. You can mount it wherever as long as you’re within 100 feet of your favorite fishing site and less than 10 feet from your boat anchor point to get the most out of your system. For maximum coverage, mounting devices should be spaced at least 5′ apart. However, we recommend mounting it at the waterline, either in the front center of the cockpit or on either side (depending on which area of the cockpit you choose to fish) towards the rear centerline.

6. How Deep in the Water Should My Transducer be?

Your transducer’s depth can affect how close it can read buildings like docks and pilings. The closer you get to these structures, the greater the image quality you’ll get on your screen. If you live in shallow water (less than 30 feet), your transducer should be mounted as close to the bottom as feasible. The reason for this is that the weed line in shallow water might be unpredictable. Because your transducer will not read species like Tommy cod and fluke if it is not close enough to the bottom, you may miss out on catching them. If you’re fishing in deeper water (anything more profound than 30 feet), you should position your transducer higher on the side of your boat, pointing towards shore or just below the boat pointing toward