Can anyone explain the pros and cons of mounting your transducer on the under side of the boat (on the pad or step) vs just on the back like they have for years. I noticed at the Bass Master Classic last year several new boats had them on the step or pad underneath. I'm about to get new graphs and considered trying it underneath. Thanks in advance.

When you say underside of the boat, I hope you do not mean the bottom of the boat. I have attached Lowrance instructions which apply to all brands. The other option would be in the bilge.

Pchapin I’m trying to post a picture of it but not having much luck. It is on the bottom at the rear on the step. Not on the bottom of the main hull. I’ve seen numerous new boats mounted that way.

This is what you are looking for. The downside is if you fish timber, it is easy to knock them off.

Usually the transducers that are mounted on the step are down imaging/sideimaging or 3D. The typical 2D sonar transducer is mounted in the bilge shooting through the hull on these boats. You can mount the others on the step because they don't work well over about 5 mph anyway. 2D won't work on the step because it won't be in the water when you are on plane.

Thanks for the reply guys.

If you dont put it on the pad down below you will not have any depth when cruising. The mounting hardware on todays side imaging and down imaging transducers are real strong. I have tilted mine up but not broke it off. You can spend hours installing a transducer. I had to build a mounting block for my boat, the area where I wanted to install the part had round areas. But I can get depth as I move around the lake on pad.