Is there any particular way that the Transducer should be mounted?

[TSCTSC]

Have bought a Fishfinder and now am a little unsure as to how I should mount the transducer to the boat. It seems that I need to drill holes into the transom. I am sure that would cause leaks. How do I do this right? Can getting a transducer mounting plate avoid drilling holes in the transom?

[montanagriz]

Hey T, I just mounted the transducer for my new Lowrance 332c this afternoon. I decided to buy the transducer mounting plate since I didn't want to put all kinds of holes in my new boat. You will have to drill in 2 screws for the mounting plate, but that way if you decide to get a new finder in a few years, you'll just be drilling into the plate instead of your transom. I would suggest using some marine epoxy for where you drilled in as well. Had the boat out this afternoon and it seemed to work just great. I picked up the mounting plate at Gander for like 10 bucks.

[Slyster]

I just drilled holes right in the aluminum transom of my boat. Then I used "marine silicone" (from any Menards or hardware store) and it's very durable and completely watertight. Since my boat is just one layer of aluminum.. the screws poke through.. so the silicone covers them so they won't hurt if you bump them. Doesn't look great.. but works just fine!

[Fireguy]

If you buy the large mounting plate all the mounting screws are above the waterline. Then screw the transducer to the plate. The large plates are available from Cabelas.

[TSCTSC]

How do u use marine epoxy? Is silicone or epoxy better to use?

[Slyster]

I think silicone is best! It remains flexible and therefor you can rip it off at a later date.. epoxy is rock hard and you can't get it off as easy. I just poke the end of the tube into the screw.. squeeze... and pull out. In fact.. just 10 minutes ago I did that.. I just screwed in and waerproofed a couple of leather tool belts to the side of my boat.. to hold things like my hat, GPS, pliers, and sunglasses. In a day or two.. it will be water proof for years to come.

[federline]

I just did the same thing this year as Sly did. I have the same kind of scenario - single wall aluminum boat. Look pretty? No. Not what I have the boat for, tho.

[Dave]

Quote:

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Since my boat is just one layer of aluminum.. the screws poke through.. so the silicone covers them so they won't hurt if you bump them. Doesn't look great.. but works just fine!

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Sly, hardware stores have little flexible rubber caps (mainly used on exposed bolts but would work for screws)that you could also put on the exposed screws, to really make it safer.

[Steve Bakken]

Don't sweat the water leaking. In all the years we've been in business, we've never had one come in for leaky transducer holes.