Transducer mounting

[LwnmwnMan2]

I just bought a new (2005) Tracker 18WT. It came with a Lowrance 47** mount on the steering console from the dealer, but I'm looking at moving a 'Bird 585 over from my previous boat before I sell it.

My problem comes in, where the transducer line isn't long enough to get from the front of the Tracker 18, to the back, so I'm looking at mounting it somewhere up in front.

I know in the past it's been recommended that transducers not be mounted in the hull of aluminum boats, so what I was wondering is, does anyone here have their transducers mounted to the bottom of their trolling motors??

If so, do they work good? Do they pick up interference from the motor at all??

Thanks,

Jeremy

[SpecialK]

They sell ducer mounting kits that are basically just a big hose clamp (to go around the motor) and a plastic piece that you mount the transducer to just for this application so I would think interferance isn't an issue.

[Surface Tension]

You can get interference if you share the same battery with the trolling motor. I say can because out of 5 different electric trolling motors I've had on boats only one motor gave me interference. So just beware you may have to run power to the sounder from a battery other then your electric motor.

[LwnmwnMan2]

Has anyone had any issues with mounting their transducer to the bottom of the trolling motor??

I do VERY little fishing in shallow water, so I don't believe I'm too worried about running it into the ground.

Has anyone ever had a rock (or other object) fly up and hit it while trailering??

[PerchJerker]

Very common to mount transducers to bow mounted trolling motors. I have never had a problem with mine. Have never heard of anything hitting one while trailering either.

[kslipsinker]

I have mounted a X-65 on my bow mount trolling motor utilizing the normal high speed transducer and a 4" band hose clamp. It worked very well without any problems for years. I changed it out to a FL-18 Vexilar using a puck transducer, which also was great. I just changed the trolling motor to a Minnkota 55PD with universal sonar, which is the ultimate way to go.