Upgraded my electronics last month. Came up to the cabin today for mounting and a test run.
Imagine my surprise when I lined it up to find a mounting location. The transducer is 6 inches long and overlaps 4 of them. Profanities galore.
Now I’m looking at my options. Pretty sure the choice is sell the unit and ram mount or open my wallet for another transducer to mount on the opposite side.
Really not interested in spending any more money. Did I miss anything?
20150411_155035.jpg
Sorry for the pics. First time trying that on my phone. Don’t know why it’s upside down
Just trim up when you want to side scan, assuming you have PTT.
I put Structure Scan with an LSS2 transducer (10 inches long!) on my jon boat and it works just fine. Just trim it up a touch and it’s clear on both sides.
IMG_1175.jpg
IMG_1176.jpg
Thanks for the pics!
No power trim. It’s just a 25hp on a 14 footer.
I might be able to lift it up to the halfway notch. Wonder how much that will affect boat control?
75% of the time I’m back trolling with most of the rest trolling cranks. One hope I had for si was to do a much better job hugging the outside edge of the weed line.
We both have the 597s if I remember correct.
That’s one part of the DI I love is distinguishing the weed growth.
Not much help for you, but actually interesting BC it was a thought of mine to upgrade as well. Same setup. Could see how constantly trimming the motor up and down by hand would be a REAL PIA all the time.
Just a thought make a tra some set back or jackplate
Just a thought make a tra some set back or jackplate
That could cause a weird position if he is running a tiller. FDR
I thought that the motor would be in the way of the side scan on my 16ft deep v with a 50hp with the lss2 transducer but I installed the transducer as per instructions and it shoots between the stern and the motor in the regular trim position. Surprised me but it works fine with out having to trim up at all.
I thought that the motor would be in the way of the side scan on my 16ft deep v with a 50hp with the lss2 transducer but I installed the transducer as per instructions and it shoots between the stern and the motor in the regular trim position. Surprised me but it works fine with out having to trim up at all.
Welcome to IDO!
Everything I researched said the transducer needed a clear line of site 90 degrees to both sides. If there was an object blocking then it wouldn’t do the SI. Can I guess you have just enough space so your transducer doesn’t overlap the lower unit?
Thanks for all the suggestions but I think I’m going to throw in the towel on this one.
The objective was to have a simple little boat that didn’t cost a ton and fit in the garage. At some point I had to remember that. Will be headed over to the classifieds section next to post it for sale. I’ll take the money in put in the fund for my next boat.
I’m hoping I just break even, thankfully I got a really good deal when I bought it.
So here’s your options.
1) Buy a 2nd transducer and mount on the other side of your motor.
2) Leave as is. Your 2d, DI, and right side SI will work fine. YOur left side SI will be marginal.
3) Trim motor up when you want to see left side.
4) Put transducer on bow mount trolling motor (WHich you probably don’t have since it’s a small boat and you said you back troll a lot). Used bow mounts are pretty cheap. Especially for a small boat.
5) Upgrade to a tilt/trim.
6) Do like the kayak folks do. MOunt your SI on a pole and clamp on side of boat. Lower so SI sits below hull.
6)a) Add a 2d transducer (XT9-20T) so you have 2d sonar when your on plane and not using your SI on a pole.
Plenty of things to do yet.
So here’s your options.
6) Do like the kayak folks do. MOunt your SI on a pole and clamp on side of boat. Lower so SI sits below hull.
6)a) Add a 2d transducer (XT9-20T) so you have 2d sonar when your on plane and not using your SI on a pole.Plenty of things to do yet.
I like #6. Find an old transom TM mount and shaft, Mount the SI transducer to the shaft, and tilt-in or pull up/down as needed. Lots of old, decrepit transom TM’s out there to scavenge.
HRG
Great suggestions, here’s some feedback.
1. Buy a 2nd transducer – yes this will work but at some point I have to stop throwing money at this boat. It gets used about 10 times a year for a few hours a shot. Think I hit my limit on how much money to put into this boat.
2. Partial functionality – I have a 597 with di in place. The main upgrade here was to SI. Getting 50% functionality seems like a poor return on investment.
3. Trim the motor – very possible and the right cost. Just not sure how much that will impact my boat control. This is the one I’ve been debating overnight.
4. Bow mount – I have a PD v2 up front but it’s very rarely deployed.
5. Upgrade to tilt/trim – not worth the cash.
6. Clamp on mount – this one is pretty neat. I hadn’t thought of this. This is pretty neat. I’ll ponder this one.
6.a – 2nd transducer – originally was planning on keeping my 597 if I can find space to mount the head units.
Think I’m at #3, #6, or cutting my losses and selling the unit.
For reference here’s some pics of what I’m working with. The first two are when I go it two years ago. I’ve done a bunch of work but the notable things for this discussion is adding a bow mount tm and the Hbird 597ci hd di. The shot from the transom is current, just from the other side.
Probably rhetorical questions – when is it too much time and money to put into an 1988 14ft boat? When is it time to redirecting the money to a boat upgrade?
P1000817.jpg
P1000816.jpg
Yep. There’s options.
Oh I like your colors on the boat. Jealous, mines all red.
Probably rhetorical questions – when is it too much time and money to put into an 1988 14ft boat? When is it time to redirecting the money to a boat upgrade?
LOL.
I probably put close to $5,000 into my origional 16′ mid 80’s alumacraft before i finally SCRAPPED it.
Seems impossible to do…But you’d be amazed.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
