Transducer setup for a (kevla)cat

[freddofrog]

Hi all

For those of you that have cats just wondering where you have mounted your transducer? Mine (a Simrad CE33) is currently mounted to the left side of the left pod and I loose picture before 10kn. I've tried different angles and different depths but no change so I thought I might try a different location altogether.

btw as far as i can tell there is nothing disturbing the water flow to the transducer though I think I may be able to move it closer to the transom.

Also, there are bits of white paint on part of the transducer face which I'm assuming is antifoul. I tried to remove it with acetone but when I did a test the acetone started to eat the plastic so I have left it alone.

Ta
ff

[jimbo59]

Just sand it off with a bit of 600 wet n dry put the transducer level or a tiny bit higher.

[DAVE_S]

you could be getting prop noise i would try setting it up in a wet box inside the hull

[freddofrog]

um...what's a wet box

[finding_time]

I've just done a shoot through hull 1kw airmar transducer in my 5.2 kc, very very happy

It lives in a wet box( supplied by air mar) in the rear inspection hatch. I can run at full revs with little or no interferance using bith 50 and 200 khz at full gain , cant get better than that. It's also pinging fish at 450m.

Ian

[Grand_Marlin]

Also, try turning your gain up a fair bit higher ... older transducers become "deaf" over time and not as sensitive.

Cheers

Pete

[Kerry]

ff, You don't have a lot of mounting options and the outside of each pod is really the only options.

Will also have a bit to do with the transducer itself, some are good, some are cr...

Have you got a flat strake section as per the following.

[fly_1]

I have just put new furuno electronics in my 5.2 and have mounted the transducer on a polished alloy bracket on the port side near the pod. ( Its actually attached to the pod) Rod from furuno came out with me, and helped tune/ setup all the toys, and was so impressed with the bracket, he is going to get a few made. I now get a near perfect picture at all speeds upto 25+ kts. A good mate has also just put new gear in, but the boys from Kcat put his 1kw transducer in a wetbox, and according to Rod ( furuno ), we are getting as good, if not better results than he is whilst underway etc... I have a 600w transducer, and are getting clear readings so far to 250m. ( although I have not had a chance to test it in deeper water yet).
Once I get home in a week or so, I will post a picture of it. Its extremely simple, and cost us $30 to make. Hope this is of some use.
Regards
Trent

[freddofrog]

Thanks for input all. Here's a photo of the current setup - you can see all the antifoul on it . I think I'll wet n dry the face and sides but won't bother with the rest. Hopefully I won't damage the surface too much!

From the manual I think it is actually an Airmar P52 so I'm guessing it's fairly decent but don't ask me what power as I have no idea.

I'm now thinking it's probably in the right position but just needs more tweaking. Currently it's in line with the flattest section of the hull but I have set the face basically flush with the hull (and angled down). Reason being is that s/s bracket it's mounted with doesn't kick up on impact.

Looking at yours Kerry I see the face of yours is actually positioned about an inch below the hull. I think I'll just bite the bullet and lower it to about the same depth. If something hits it then I'll have an excuse to buy a better one.

Trent, how far does yours sit below the hull?

ta
ff

[Grand_Marlin]

You can try it deeper, but position looks ok .
Level the transducer up a bit more too, there is no need to have it angled forward that much.

Personally, I think a new transducer would make all the difference

Cheers

Pete

[Kerry]

This one might give a bit better idea of required height etc

[fly_1]

Freddofrog, when I get home I will post a picture of it. I am away with work at the moment. The transducer sits alittle bit below the hull, and its angled at a couple of degrees up. (ie the front is slightly higher than the back) With the bracket we dont get any spray at all, and its away from the flat of the bottom of the hull, which causes air bubbles / pockets etc, hence we are getting the clear pictures etc.

[freddofrog]

Hi all

I ended up lowering it, adjusting the angle and sand papering the face and it works heaps better, even up to 25kts. However it now kicks up a heck of a lot more spray and occasionaly drops out altogether (at any speed) but it certainly is much better.

Someone else suggested relocating it to the right hand side of the right pod so I might try that when I have some more time.

ta
ff