Anybody install the LSS-1 transducer on this boat? I'm wanting to add the sidescan, but not sure on the transducer placement. If I mount it on the transom the lower unit is in the way, if I mount it on the step these wings on the side of the hull are in the way (please see pic) + the step is only 5" deep, and the transducer is 7" long without the bracket. I dont oppose to having it installed by a professional if they are really good at what they do, but I had a horrible experiance with one of the big dealers in the area, and dont want to go there again, besides I'm pretty good with my hands, and just hoping someone has been here, and done that, and can help me out with a little advise. Thanks in advance!!

Its a shame you had a poor experience with a local dealer. We have to depend on them. Many will not install a transducer simply because of the liability, let alone the knowledge to install it correctly.

I cannot tell from your photo just how far outboard your V hull extends. It appears that it reaches chine to chine. Regarding your mark, I wouldn't install anything outboard like that, particularly aft of a chine. I'm also wondering just how how effective your "Skimmer" is while running. Mount your LSS-1 between your running surface and your at rest loaded waterline or maybe where you show your "Skimmer". It is best to get into the water with it wired and ready and move it around watching the screen so that you are satisfied that you know where interference from your lower unit or parts of your hull is or is not. Are you going to try to use your imaging equipment at speed and have the desire to "pair up" your high speed with you LSS-1? Your intentions for use and your solutions make a difference and you are relegated to the design of your hull. Oh, damage does not occur using SternMate� equipment.

Put the LSS-1 transducer beside the motor mount with the bottom of it level with the hull step. You want that transducer as close to the motor as you can get it so you don't get close object echos from the motor. The imaging transducers have to "see" unobstructed horizontally left and right.
In that position it is out of the water when the boat is on plane and being close to the motor, it gets some protection for side impact damage from stumps, etc.
If the hull step is long enough you can put the transducer on the horozontal part of it just above the hull drain that will get most of the echos from the 2D transducer out of the SS beam.

Thanks guys...you are right Captain Chris it does reach from chine to chine...the skimmer works just fine, its tilted up in the pic because I tilted it up to place a t-square on the step. I know adjustments will need to be made to the lss-1, and thats the reason why I'm doing my homework on this one, and was hoping someone has installed the lss-1 on this boat. I know I could put it on the transom, and tilt the motor, but wanted some advice, and consider all my options. Speed is not a big concern as long as it works at idle speed with the outboard.
Thanks Wayne..the step is 5" deep, and the transducer is almost 7" not sure on the step install...I'll go down, and look at the motor mount a little later. Thanks again..please keep the advice coming.

I have a PT-190 and considered mounting my LSS-1 transducer on the horizontal part of the step, but decided against it and put it on the transom about an inch or so above the hull step on the right side of the motor mount. You have to tilt the big motor up very slighty when using side scan to get an absolutly clear picture, but even if you don't it isn't bad enough to worry about. I'm visiting family right now, when I get home I'll take a picture and post it, probably be Tuesday though.
by the way, my skimmer is mounted slightly lower than yours and I lose bottom lock at about 28-30 mph....how does yours do?

I would be intersted is seeing those picks as well Lonestar. I have a TV-18 and I am thinking about adding Side scan to it.

Thank you Lonestar...I would appreciate the pics too. Glad to hear about your successful transom installation with minimal interferance. Thats a factory mounted skimmer bracket, and to be honest I'm not sure at what mph I lose bottom track, but I think its about the same as yours maybe a little less 25-28 mph. I have it tilted up higher than normal in the pic, from when I was looking down the step for a mounting spot for the lss-1.

Actually I guess I mounted it about flush with the horizontal portion of the step. The pictures aren't real great and the boat's dirty but you can see where it's located.

Looks good.

Thanks for the pics Lonestar, I really appreciate it...nice looking install too. From what I've been hearing its the way to go with these boats, I thought about installing the lss-1 on the step to, but have not heard of anybody installing one there, and not sure of the interference factor, so this seems like the safest bet. Thanks again.

Appreciate the picture Lonestar!

No problem guys. Like I said earlier, there is very little interference when the motor is all the way down, but I bump the trim just a bit and what little there was disappears.

Also, in the installation instructions they tell you to connect the yellow wire from the LSS-1 to a toggle switch to turn it off and on. I didn't want to drill a hole and put in a switch so I called Customer Service and asked if I could connect the yellow wire to the yellow "wake up" wire on the HDS, they said I could, so when I turn on the HDS the LSS-1 powers up and when I turn it off it powers down....I figured I would always be forgetting to turn off the toggle and drain the battery LOL! Thought I'd give y'all that heads up just in case you didn't want to add a toggle switch either.

Now all I have to do is decide if I want to buy the structure scan first or buy an HDS 7 first. I have an HDS5 now.

Thanks lonestar for the heads up