sonar expectations

[Cheers]

Just wondering if it is reasonable to expect to get sonar readings going fast in deep water ? Over the years I have had many units and boats and all would cut  in and out  when the water was deep ( 50 feet or more ) at high speed ( 35mph or so ) . Some performed better than others but all would be less than constant . My boats are all aluminum riveted and units are are medium to high end on the quality level.I make changes to the transducer and get better results but not sure what to expect for best possible results .

Thanks

 

[CaptainMusky]

At high speeds with a skimmer transducer there is going to be a lot of turbulence. More consistent results with a thru-hull transducer, but its going to be a bit tough with a skimmer. I seem to have mine dialed in pretty good for high speeds and don't lose bottom up to 48MPH, but then again the waters I mainly fish are less than 50' deep too.

[delcecchi]

I'm not sure how dialed in I am but in deep water which typically seems to have soft bottom I also tend to lose the bottom somewhere in the mid 30 mph range.  Deep is like 30 feet or so, but I think it also has a lot to do with bottom composition.  If I run across a slight rise of harder stuff, it reads ok. 

[gunner55]

We are on a deep lake( a lot of 30'-50') & if I loose bottom I usually slow down a little which seems to help.

[Satchmo]

In deep water with soft bottom, you will need to turn the sensitivity/power/gain way up as well.

[gunner55]

Just read a article by Dr. Sonar(Bruce Carlson) & his take on it was that around 20 mph was the optimum speed for "sonar cruising".Most suggest maxing out your ping speed,increasing your chart speed (maybe max)& sensitivity as well but maybe not maxing out your sensitivity.

[gunner55]

The article was by Bruce Samson not Carlson & he also recommended changing the color of the screen background as it helps get rid of some of the clutter so fish are easier to spot

[Cheers]

Talked with Lowrance rep at a seminar Friday and he  said  on an aluminum riveted boat I should not expect much more  . He also said high ping speed for the elite and lower ping for the Gen 3

[Tom Sawyer]

Make sure your transducer is at the correct level, and halfway below the bottom of your hull. Finding a spot with less of an angle to mount it at will also help.