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A good transducer is the heart and soul of your fishfinder! Incorporating some of the latest transducer technology, such as alternating or spectrum scanning transmitters or the use of 1000-watt in-hull or Transom Mount units, will allow incredible depth finder performance. There are 4 main transducer models available defined by how they are mounted on your vessel: Thru-Hull, Shoot-thru-hull (most often used for fiberglass hulls), transom-mount (best suited to trailerable size vessels) and portable transducers . The best transducer for you will depend a lot on your budget, boat type, shape and hull material and the fishing conditions it will be used in. Ideally a transducer needs to 'look' directly down and be mounted so that clean, turbulence-free water passes over it's face. Hull Material Considerations: | Hull Material | Recommended Transducer Type | | Aluminium Hull (Tinny) | Transom Mount or Plastic Thru Hull | | Wooden Hull | Transom Mount or Bronze Thru Hull | | Fiberglass Hull | Transom Mount, Thru Hull (Bronze or plastic), Shoot Thru Hull/In-Hull |
Transducer Do's and Dont's: - Plastic housings are recommended for fibreglass or metal hulls only. Never mount a plastic thru-hull housing in a wooden hull since swelling of the wood may overstress the plastic causing it to fracture.
- Bronze housings are recommended for fibreglass or wood hulls only. Never mount a bronze housing in a metal hull as electrolysis will occur.
- Never install a thru-hull transducer & leave the boat in the water unchecked for several days.
- Never use solvents on the transducer's face or the plastic housing.
- Always site the transducer so that external noise is minimised. Possible sources include air bubbles, propellers, generators, other echosounders.
- Transducer surfaces that can be painted must use a water based antifouling.
With the range of transducers available, selection can appear confusing and with the next generation of Lowrance Transducers and Airmar Broadband/CHIRP transducers arriving in-store – the definition will astound you! So speak with the marine electronics experts at CH Smith Marine; with over 50 years of fishfinder experience, we'll help you find the best transducer that suits your new fishfinder, or to re-invigorate your old Fish Finder.
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