Never done this before. My original finder had the transducer epoxied on the hull. I don't think it was a very good job comparing my console (shoot through) vs. the bow (on trolling motor). So instead of buying a new transducer, I just upgraded my setup to the 520C.

I don't work on boats so it was slightly traumatic drilling into my fiberglass to mount the finder and gps antenna. Would like to know the tips on installing the transducer, so I do it once. Read every tip I could find on the internet. This is what I got from it.

1. Close to centerline as possible - 18" from the outdrive/outboard.
2. Don't position behind a strake on the hull or anything that can cause turbulence.
3. Median line of the transducer needs to be below the hull line.
4. Angle the transducer a few degrees down on the trailing edge
5. And this is my big question, position on the starboard side because of prop rotation - does this really matter?

Anything else I need to consider before drilling holes in my transom? I'm really nervous about this - btw, I have Procraft fish/ski combo if that matters.

Thanks in advance.

I am fixing to try the same thing...cant wait to hear any advice.

No help? I know there are some of you who even install this stuff for a living... could someone just tell me if the research I did is leading me the right way? I really want to put it on the port side... does it really matter which side?

this should help..

http://www.fishfinderdiscounts.com/page/fishfindertransommount

kingdad101, I appreciate the link... I'll combine all the tips I have so far and since there was only one site that said something about which side it should be on, I guess that was just preference and some scientific theories to back it up.

One more question - do most people transom mount the transducer or shoot-through the hull?

I don't know about Most, but things to think about are;
the outside is easier to knock off and doesn't usually read good at speeds ..
the thru is what I use and it reads at high speed and will not get knocked off on stumps, ect..
what I would do is, If the old 'ducer is still there, pry or knock it off the floor..
sand the area where is was and clean it good.(also sand the bottom of 'ducer a little)
place the new transducer down in some epoxy,place a weight (I use a sock ,with sand in it).you can build a little dam with silicone around where it goes..
when you place the 'ducer in the exopy, wiggle it around a little to get the bubbles out.Use a slow drying epoxy will have less bubbles,
make sure its level, level the boat,not the trailer, before you start.
I don't recommend it, but on my boat I used silicone to glue the 'ducer down..I had to change it the night before a tournament and that was all I had. Been there two years with no problems, but...

Cool, will look into mounting it inside....

Yes, mount inside the hull. You won't get as good a reading as from the bow/TM mounted transducer but that's why you have that one anyway. You can get an external temperature probe that plugs into the cables inside the boat.

The fun part of installation is running the cables through the gunwales!

Thanks Blu-Ranger, I've decided to mount inside the hull. Most sites confirm the transom mount is useless above 20-30 mph, you lose bottom.

I would definitely mount it inside unless you are going to not be in any kind of stumps. I have done many inside the hull and last year I deceided what the heck I will try one outside. The new transducers are just not made to take any kind of abuse from stumps. I broke mine off the first time I fished in the stumps. Mount inside the hull just sand the area where you want to mount it along with the face of the tranducer. I like a putty type epoxy such as PC7. You can get it at Home Depot looks like 2 35mm film cannisters.

Any tips to get max sensitivity? I know a well mounted ducer is key. Is the Lowrance instruction enough - increasing the sensitivity until you see two bottom reflections before mounting on the hull? Would like to get the most of this - am thinking of using 3M 4200 (semi-permanent) instead of epoxy.

anyone near abilene done this before and want to help me move mine?

HOLD ON BOYS....

You need to consider what you're dealing with, a sonar signal. Sonar works through liquids and solids, anything non-metal BUT AIR. Silicones, puttys, all manners will all trap air bubbles, and severly restrict your sonar signal.

The BEST method I've found is to attach with fiberglass resin, it's thin enough and cures slow enough to allow bubbles to excape before they cure up.

You do NOT want to use quick cures, gels, puttys, 4200/5200.

OK, how about putting it in a "container" on the hull (bottom cut out) and siliconed to the hull filled with mineral oil or water? eliminates the air completely. Just seems like a pain to maintain.