When I bought ThunderBird I had every thru hull I did not have a purpose for welded shut, everyone. Now I find myself switching from a transom mount tranducer to a thru hull. As in everything in life there are trade offs. I would kind of like the transducer as far forward as possible to pick up that rock before it gets hit but the water too disturbed by bubbles up there to get a clear reading at any speed but full stop.

I'm looking to youse guys collective knowledge and expirence before I get an ulcer deciding where to punch a hole in my hull. My has a skeg keel and the prior hole was under the steps up to the weatherdeck, about mid-ship on ThunderBird.

I agree with Jeff.

A depth finder should never replace properly reading and following markers, and having a knowledge of the waters you are in. My boat has a thru (hole in the) hull transducer from the PO... No reason it shouldn't work, but the less holes in my hull the easier I rest at night.

I did scratch my head a bit about where to post it.

Barnacles in the great lakes are no problem, cleaning zebra mussels off??? Hey I'm making it a DIVE boat, it gives me something to do while waiting around on the surface, and I trailer it anyway. Transom mounts worry me as the divers will be hanging out there and could potientially damage the cable if not the dam plastic tranducers they give you for back there. I have one but just got done ordering a bronze thru hull for this reason and to do away with the screw holes needed to hold the cable in place. I guess I'm trying to figure out how far back most tranducers are mounted.

I am immiently aware of my local condition and my knowledge tells me where to go slow and watch out for rocks, not where everyone of them buggers are. Thunder Bay earned it's reputation as the "Shipwreck Alley" of the Great Lakes for a reason.

Gypsy Girl,

Be very, very sure you have a competant welder who is using the same alu as your hull!!!

You can find the number elsewhere on this site but it is a 50xx something aluminum. You can get an aluminum weld that looks good but is not truely bonded to your hull.

I inquired around and found a welder that was a certified marine welder (he worked on USCG vessels below waterline) or an equivalent certification like gas pipelines or such. You are placing your life in the hands that will weld you hull. Billy-Bobs quick weld service might not the right man for the job.

I know a certified and highly competent welding company which does work in the Md, DC, VA areas. They have extensive experience with aluminum hulls doing both repairs and fabrication.

Preldor

preldor@comcast.net

..."has anyone mounted a transom mount transducer with there boat in the water?"

Not at this time of the year! Just being serious..... It could be done with a pneumatic drill (for obvious reasons) and without much difficulty (but with lots of splashed water).

Jeff

I have lights mounted under my swim platform. Work great look cool. Used Lowes 12v pond lights. 50 watt I think. I,ve had them 2 years no problem.They have to be set to where they are under water when on to keep them cool. they are out of the water on plane.
I like the idea of transducer attached to platform. Wayne