Life Aboard: Cleaning Airmar Transducer

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From our "Life Aboard" video series, Amy shows how to pull and clean an Airmar Transducer, which needs to be done periodically, or whenever the boat remains still for long enough, in order to clean out any growth.
Please note that you should specifically check your transducer for suggested lubricants for your o-rings. Our instructions specifically mentioned Vaseline, but other models require a silicone based lubricant.
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Thanks for watching!

[@timhansing1216]

Brilliant !! Thank you soooo much. I was VERY nervous to do this on my boat and you have demystified my transducer completely. Bravo !

[@mickrelic4891]

Hi, Just some advice, I know that some O rings can be lubricated using Vaseline gel. However, most do not like petroleum based lubricants as it can cause the O rings to crack and leak. Silicon based lubricants are best and its a good habit to get into as most O rings that you purchase in spare part kits etc would need silicon based lubricants. Just get a jar or tube and keep it in your tool kit. My model of Airmar transducer actually states to use silicon only for O rings. Hope you get back into sailing soon. I am deciding on an FP and its between the Helia and the new FP40 that I will see in December, then put in the order. Enjoy your boat and where it will take you.. m

[@OutChasingStars]

Mick Relic Thanks Mick. We probably should have mentioned this in the video, but our instructions for the transducer actually say that it is suggested to use Vaseline. Best of luck on your choice. It will be tough to go wrong!

[@mikebikeboy]

Going to fearlessly tackle this task today thanks to your video!

[@Richard-tf5cf]

Thanks for recording this. In a 31’ monohull we found the water spout reached about 12”/300mm between removing than transducer and put the blanking plug in. Looked like yours only spouted 3-4”/100mm which was an interesting difference.

[@hexjunkie]

Thank you for removing any and all fears I had about pulling my transducer. This video is amazing. Subscribed!

[@OutChasingStars]

***** We're so glad you liked it! Amy had the same fears and couldn't find any video showing her how to do it, so she decided to make one! It's nice to know it's serving it's purpose perfectly!

[@shelleybeer88]

Amy, a key in placing the bung plug and replacing the transducer is to push it down into the hole, then screw it .. When I first did it I failed to push it down before screwing the lug, so all the screwing in the world did not stop the water flow! !!! Thank you for reminding me to use vaseline on the bung plug. Great video. Yes, the sudden water flow is alarming, but it doesn't sink the boat. !!

[@peterkelley6253]

I've had to do this a few time on my sailboat. On most transducer/paddlewheel/blanking plugs there is a key-way or notch that will fit into a similar bump or lug on the thru-hull and is generally close to the correct insertion direction, as indicated by the arrow on the head. This prevents the unit from being installed incorrectly (what happened in the video) Just insert in the correct direction, rotate slightly before screwing down to mate the bump and notch, and ONLY then screw GENTLY so as to be sure to not crossthread the two pieces. It helps to have a few small sponges handy as sometimes you can force the sponges out the thruhull fitting which will clean any fouling inside. Then install the paddlewheel. When the boat is on the hard, practice this a few times and become an expert first before ever opening the hull to the sea!

[@ManuelRodriguez-qi9ru]

Next time try some Barnacle Buster. It comes premixed for about $40.00 a gallon and you just place the Transducer into the solution and about one hour later its super clean. They have a concentrate that sells for $90.00 and makes 5 gallons. Great stuff to clean out a heat exchanger and anything cooled by raw water.

[@TheEggMan2000]

Thanks! I need to do this. I was thinking I might just wait until I take the boat out of water, but it looks like it is totally doable with the boat in water, as long as I can find that blanking plug.

[@lauraritter3497]

Thank you!!! Very helpful for when we need to clean our transducer. Currently we are getting ready to install!

[@OutChasingStars]

Glad we could help! Good luck!

[@larsberner3186]

Brilliant, just What i needed to do! Well done video🙌 Thanks a lot Regards from Copenhagen

[@funkyfender1]

Glad I found your video! Although my trailer sailer is out of the water, the transducer feels really tight to remove! Seeing how much force you needed to remove yours helpfully shows that I can be a little more forceful in getting it out! I was concerned that i might have broken the through hull fitting! Also, useful to have a tub of Vaseline handy to lubricate and seal the 'O' rings! Nice job, thank you 😎

[@OutChasingStars]

+Stephen Bradley Hi Stephen, thanks for watching! I'd definitely suggest checking with the manufacturer of your transducer to make sure that Vaseline is okay to use for sealing the 'O' rings. Our instructions specifically say Vaseline is okay, but other brands suggest another lubricant. Good luck!

[@PRACLEDC]

Well done video. I guess this kind of thing is something us landlubbers never think about when considering buying a sailboat.

[@OutChasingStars]

James Robinson Yeah, we had a fair amount of experience with boats before we took off and it's still eye-opening how much there is to learn.

[@henrylushington6594]

Thank you very much! Glad to see it being done before I attempt mine!

[@ianmac86]

Thank you for video as this is the only one I could find also. My transducer paddle wheel is also not turning and is only six months old. Mine is a Garmin brand but it seems that the concept is the same. Particularly noted that you said that the bottom nut/collar will / should jack out the transducer top collar and I am hoping that this will work for me as there is not a lot of movement happening on mine. Great presentation with plenty of close up detail. BIG THANKS from me. Fair winds.

[@ianmac86]

Need to correct myself (duh) mine is actually a Raymarine and it took quite a bit to remove as I forgot to “grease” the O rings. Found a lot of growth and scale which cleaned up really well though. Now Coated with heavy lanolin grease mixed with chilli powder 👍🏼. Reinstalled and here’s hoping it works this time. Again thanks for the info in your video.

[@familienviig2207]

Thanks alot, i have been looking for the game type o video. 🙂

[@upspirate]

We used to just use the cap(ours had a cap,not a plug) and swapped in the clean transducer when we sailed.Clean transducer always and not a big problem to clean up the water

[@kevinbaerg]

Thank you so much for the video! It has given me the courage to go for it on my boat! Well done! Also, noticed your Seven Seas Brewery t-shirt on a couple of vids. We are from Gig Harbor! Currently cruising in the Sea of Cortez.

[@OutChasingStars]

Very cool! The t-shirts were actually gifts from some followers we met while back in the Seattle area, but I (David) grew up in the PNW! Hope the transducer cleaning went well!

[@elaurence99]

I wish I watched this before I did this yesterday. I couldn't figure out why the speed indicator still wasn't working even after I cleaned the paddle wheel. Of course it's because I put it in the wrong way. Arrow to the front -- totally obvious but I didn't think of it. Thanks for the video!

[@iwoodie]

Thanks for the video, you done very well and for me it's always nice to see other persons struggle (just a little) as well :)), thanks again!

[@lesliegevirtz8469]

Thank you! Just what I needed to know. Thanks for giving me the confidence.

[@jbrat1967]

Excellent. Very helpful

[@kapryankennedy3064]

Great video, many thanks!

[@geoffthefarmer]

About to do the same with mine, so thanks for the video and for your time making it.

[@OutChasingStars]

Good luck! Don't sink her. ;)

[@travisneill704]

Well I’m still freaked out about changing my transducer in the water but slightly less now, thank you!

[@michaelsharon6936]

Thanks for the video. Now I can tackle the same job on my boat with a bit less apprehension!

[@missionsabai.sail.behappy.8313]

Love the n2k custom job. 😜

[@SailingDarkAngel]

Great video, thanks Amy. Doing ours next :)

[@funkyfender1]

Just subscribed! Keep em coming...

[@johnthorogood6601]

thanks for the video, its remover the fear of removing my transducer to replace it!!

[@OutChasingStars]

+John Thorogood Glad to hear it! That's why we wanted to make these kind of videos!

[@AndysEastCoastAdventures]

+John Thorogood You could always tie up to a drying post if your worried about doing it while in the water. I've got bilge keels so clean up when tide is out and fresh air under the boat. It's always a good idea to carry a few spare o-rings if you can get them as spares too.

[@Questionmarks237]

I always wondered how threw hull maintenance is done while still in the water. Now I know...lol. Thanks!

[@dalejordan2273]

Thanks, I have a non functioning transducer which i wondered if i could do an upgrade in the water, now I'm certain I can.

[@OutChasingStars]

You just have to go for it. Good luck!

[@victorjbarker]

Good video for those who haven't don't it before, but i still refrain from doing this unless absolutely necessary. You are talking about some very small pieces of plastic, and plastic threads that are all that is between safety and sinking your vessel. I've have had to do it also, or also open the stuffing boxes while in the water, but once again only if absolutely necessary...Be safe out there.

[@defylifeadventure]

Nice video. I have to do this to my Airmar, but I need to buy a blanking plug as like yours, mine has gone walkabouts.

[@lank278]

Get a tube of silicone dielectric grease for the O-rings and you can also use it for your battery connections, buy new O-rings for the transducer and keep them as a spare, you may need them because you put vaseline on them. Happy sailing

[@OutChasingStars]

lank278 Thanks for the tip. We were concerned about the Vaseline as well, but our instructions specifically mentioned Vaseline as what they recommended we use.

[@DuffyF56]

+Out Chasing Stars It all depends on the material used for the O Rings. Nitrile (aka Buna N) O rings are not affected by petroleum jelly (Vaseline). Natural rubber O Rings should not be exposed to petroleum. I would assume your mfg. would know what is to be used with the O Rings they supply. EDPM O Rings should be greases with silicone.

[@yot5642]

Watch you don't get saltwater on the cable connector

[@layline09]

Late with this but water-soluble bottom paint painted on can help delay this procedure. You can buy it in small bottles.

[@TracyGolden]

Nice Job

[@shawnbarnes1949]

What airmar transducer do you have.

[@GoofieNewfie69]

Yup, easy job. As for the hull , it may be an idea to invest in a Hookah system. No need to get the gas system Hookahmax sells a 12v system for $1000 to $1500. Great for diving in shallow water

[@snakeplisken4278]

Thanks, scary. Do you know what sealant was used for the thru-hull skin fitting where it goes through the hull?

[@OutChasingStars]

We don't, sorry. It was installed in France before we got the boat.

[@glennwatkins3322]

would that one way valve ultimately stop all / any water from coming in?

[@OutChasingStars]

+Glenn Watkins Well, all I can say is that so far we haven't been in any danger of sinking! ;)

[@coldisle]

Very helpful. Thx.

[@tentimes4]

You guys seem like you know pretty much what you're doing. If you're having trouble continually with the transducer fouling, then you may want to try making a second vaseline jar with a ton of cayenne pepper in it. (don't use this to lubricate the o-rings) This is what we use on our transducers on our research ships because we can't paint the transducer head with antifouling paint. The cayenne pepper really works for us even if the cooks get mad. But you have to reapply it after you make a long passage or resting for more than 1 month. You don't have to remove the transducer if you're willing to dive on the hull.

[@OutChasingStars]

+Jason Masters With boats, there are always more things to learn! Thanks for the cayenne pepper idea. While we're up in Canada the water is pretty cold so diving on the hull is not my top priority. When we make our way south back to warmer water, we dive/clean the hull much more frequently.

[@passmeby9398]

And to prove that a jet of water won't shoot to the overhead like in cartoons. Thanks.

[@OutChasingStars]

+Pass Me By Not going to lie, that was a concern!

[@passmeby9398]

And not to just ignore either! The thing was, you were prepared and had thought out what you were going to do. Well done.

[@hotttt28]

Easy Peezy lemon squeezy

[@Herofromzer0]

İts guit wrong job that you do. you should paint the triansducer with propeller anti foil before plugin

[@OutChasingStars]

+halit özbaşlı Thanks for the suggestion, but what I don't think was mentioned in this video is that this transducer also serves as our depth sounder. Thus, I think that adding any sort of paint would interfere with that function.

[@Herofromzer0]

İm using same t910 transducer too. İ taped depth sensor before paint speed wheel.İf you directly paint whole sensor depth shows wrong value as you guess.

[@jjaus]

We all have accents, but hole and hull should not sound the same in English.