Anyone fitted / used a transom mount fishfinder on a sail boat?

[Simes]

Hello Folks,

Our vessel is of "Ferro Cement" construction, as such I have no burning desire to drill or cut a hole in the very hard hull. So I am thinking about fitting a Lowrance fishfinder and using the "Transome Mount" sonar.
Given that these things recon to work at upto 50 knots then they should work in the turbulent waters off the transom of my Gaff Schooner, don't cha think?

Any thoughts or ideas?

All replies welcome,

Rgs

Simes

 

[Salty John]

I used one with the transducer on the end of a broomstick strapped to the quarter when we lost our depth sounder in a lightning strike. We used it for about 600 miles in the ICW in the USA and it worked faultlessly. I don't see any reason why a more permanent installation shouldn't work.

 

[kandoma]

why are you not trying to use it from the inside ? I glued mine "transom mount" into the bilge (very thick grp and the iron keel just mm away) and it worked for more then 10 years. Ok, it does not go down to the designed depth of 200 + meters, it drops out around 100 meters.

Peter

 

[Norman_E]

Wow, 100 metres! My main sounder gives up at 80 metres. My fishfinder transducer stuck inside the hull as a depth backup works down to a little over 20 metres. I don't know how well one would work through a ferro hull, or what effect the steel reinforcements in the hull would have, but it seems worth a try.
If like me Simon gets reliable readings to 20 metres, that is all that is required to avoid grounding.

 

[ShipsWoofy]

I use a transom mount, but have it held below the water on longish threads suspended below the bridge deck. It works well for us. Nothing to stop you fitting it to the rudder like an anode, or even on the erm, transom as designed.

 

[wingdiver]

Just a thought, if it is possible that it will work on the inside, then why not rig it up temporarily and check it out.
You could always go with another boat who could report back their readings to you.