Tiki 30 transducer

[chris.t.schupp]

I have a chart plotter depthfinder that came with a transome mounted skimmer type transducer. I mounted the transducer on a tow fish that I made. It looks cool but alas to no avail I am unable to get it stable at higher speeds. It dives hard,cavitates and flips over then hits the boat. I could always install a though hull transducer in the conventional manner. But I really would rather not go that route. I would appreciate any ideas and experience with any alternative transducer mounts Thanks

[Robert Hughes]

Hi Chris,

I had the transducers for my sounder and log mounted in a hull, but found the sounder signal wasn't great and the log paddle wheel kept catching weed.  I'm moving both to a kind of upside down periscope contraption that will hinge down under my cockpit.  That way I'll be able to bring it up to clear it, or for when we take the ground.  It will be a fibreglass tube with a bulb at the bottom large enough for the transducers, all well streamlined.  I'll arrange it in such a way that it can knock up if it gets hit by a lump of driftwood so it doesn't get damaged.  Probably make it long enough so the transducers are level with the keels, so they'll be well immersed.  Mine will be attached to the underside of the cockpit but it could just as well hang from a beam.

All the best

Rob

[chris.t.schupp]

Hello Rob. I took the tow fish and mounted it on a stick and stuck it in the water going around 8knots. I was really surprised at the amount of drag generated. It took considerable force to maintain its attitude in the water. A lot of air traveled down the rod and caused a bubble around the fish. A stronger sleeker smaller device might be needed. I am also considering some kind of removable pod up against the hull. Maybe a couple of bolts though the hull above the waterline. What I’m trying to do is get a good sonar image of the bottom for fishing

[Robert Hughes]

Thanks Chris, I'll bear those comments in mind as I firm up the design of mine...

R

[chris.t.schupp]

Hello Rob. I think I’ll keep to the periscope stick install and abandon the tow fish concept. I definitely need to refine my approach. If I ever get anything to work I will post some pics. Thanks for your response
Chris

[boatsmith]

cool idea with the fish

[boatsmith]

I have installed transom mount transducers on a swing down leg. That has worked well. I swing it up at high speeds. All in all I prefer a nodule on the inner side of the hull.

[chris.t.schupp]

    This is the fish with new fins and a new lead nose cone. 

[chris.t.schupp]

So I tested the tow fish and it worked perfectly. At slower speeds I dropped it down about twenty feet in fifty feet of water and got beautiful Chrip sonar images. I added some frayed poly line on the cord/strength cord to dissipate the air bubble that cavitates around the cord. It all worked very well. I posted a photo somewhere on the site

[Rogerio Martin]

When I made my tiki 30, I considered using the sensor inside the hull, submerged in liquid petroleum jelly, our hulls are made of wood and the sonar is not affected.

See youtube...

[Rogerio Martin]

You make one ply box in front BH2 (the end of keel) fully jelly and fix de sensor in cap

Rogerio Martin said:

When I made my tiki 30, I considered using the sensor inside the hull, submerged in liquid petroleum jelly, our hulls are made of wood and the sonar is not affected.

See youtube...

[chris.t.schupp]

Thank you for your comment Rogelio. Next haulout I am considering an in hullmount transducer looking though a solid fiber glass panel directly in front of the keel.