PERFECT TRANSDUCER PLACEMENT FOR HIGH SPEED HOW TO

The ultimate guide to place your transducer for reading at speeds. Crystal clear readings at high speed.

[@jimhalleran6239]

FINALLY!!! A transducer video that makes sense. Looks like a perfect install. I will do my Total Scan likewise. Thanks sport!!!

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

JIM HALLERAN Thanks For the feedback Jim.

[@klqn8073]

Thank you! I replaced the bracket came with the totalscan with a stainless steel bracket, I aligned the bracket as the way you showed on this video. I tested today - I ran 27 MPH and didn't loose depth until I reached the 135' of water. I am so happy! thanks

[@darrylveale5816]

hi i done the same with my totalscan replaced it with the metal one

[@Veranamo]

Always happy to find a “hack” to improve something I already own instead spending more to get better results. Thanks for sharing!

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Glad it helped. Thanks for the feedback.

[@gt350kr]

Thanks, GREAT VIDEO WITH GREAT TIPS!

[@johnhanselman6371]

Thx! The installation manual mentioned to do exactly what you said but I needed more assurance. Dropping the transducer slightly level below the bottom of my boat did not make sense to me but since you did it I am also gonna try to do the same. * I just installed the mounting plate will screws and some 5200 adhesive sealant.

[@darrylveale5816]

thanks for the video done mine the other day and taking it out today and it work like a dream bloody excellent now and a big thanks you

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Awesome Darryl that’s what I like to hear.

[@helicopterjohns]

Hi, Thanks for a GREAT! video. I have a Scout Sport 177 boat with multiple steps on the transom and I am in the process of installing a Lowrance Totalscan transducer. The thing you explain that on boats with the deep vee setup that the transducer has to be placed in a LEVEL position in relation to the water lever as the boat sets in the water ready for operation. Then line up the center line of the transducer with the bottom of your boat. This may look strange when mounted on the transom but is in the proper position for good readings from your transducer. You are the man! John

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

John's Marine Solutions thanks for the great feedback.

[@fishhunt9874]

Also a good idea is to have someone driving your boat at speed while you look over the transom. Take a look at where your transom meets the water and look for the areas with the least amount of turbulence, White water. The cleanest water area is the area that you want to mount the transducer. Mark the area with a grease pencil (on a stick) or take pictures of the area for later reference.

[@josepeixoto3384]

@@fishhunt9874 yeap... that should be the first step.

[@thedutchfisherman7078]

Would love to see a video of your images!

[@Rockers1121]

I just bought a hds live 7 .. I will be mounting that same transducer on my 15ft aluminum gregor .. It will be the only fishfinder on the boat so I will definitely be mounting it on the transom as opposed to my trolling motor .... I'll be using a plastic transom mount similar to the one you are using in this video .. I'm really hoping I can get it to read at speed like you were able to. Excited about the hds live unit .. it comes in the mail tomorrow. It will be nice to have a fishfinder.

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Good luck, let me know how you go.

[@julianattrill2496]

Cheers mate great info!

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Thanks for the feedback

[@frankyalvarez7160]

I did the same thing and couldn’t read it at speed, I have a high speed transducer. No luck, anyway I decided to lower it a tad more into the water and I’ll give it a go.

[@paulybrittenden]

Search internet for days...left none the wiser and more confused. Find’s Aussie video...Transducer Installed! Thanks Mate. Will throw her in the Brissie River today and see how it reads.

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@danoutdooroz6580]

Howd you go mate?

[@nightwaves3203]

Would like to see your readings of side scan and bottom scan modes while running at speed.

[@jaywhited1174]

I have the Elite9 TI2 with the 3 in 1 active scan transducer and I have a hard time getting the left image to look as good as the right until I get in deeper water (20 feet or more). I set the height pretty close to the way you have yours, but I have it mounted further away from the middle. Is the engine blocking the signal and should I move it closer to the center of the boat?

[@TomKirkman1]

The problem is when you have a stern hull that is a "V" shape. No way to align the transducer at any particular level to the hull - one side is an inch higher (or lower) than the other. Will try hitting the middle at mid-height.

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Mine is quite a deep V hull I have gone off the centre point of the transducer. You could always try and fix it to the back of the keel if it’s a little flat. That seems to work really well also.

[@ArnaudDeSmedt]

Hi! what kind of plastic did you use as transducer mount plate? Great video by the way, very helpful

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

I couldn’t tell you to be honest. There is a plastic factory near me that had some off cuts for sale. I think it is very similar to cutting boards. Sorry I can’t be more specific. Thanks for the feedback.

[@mikepiechnik9109]

It's called starboard. Screws stay in, as opposed to regular cutting board plastic

[@waynepark8227]

Thanks for that. How far off the center of the prop would you measure to position the skimmer transducer

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Wayne Park I fully tilted the motor leg down and then put it on full lock to make sure the motor doesn’t hit the transducer. That was as close as I could get it without possibility of knocking the transducer wit the outboard leg.

[@karlosj83]

Hi, just came across your channel, thanks for the vid! Question: the white plastic base you used, does it matter what plastic it is? Ie, can I use a basic plastic chopping board?

[@nightwaves3203]

Should work. Best to sand one down good for best bonding. There's suggested roughing with sandpaper for different epoxy's or silicone sealing.

[@benp2724]

Great video. What is the white plastic block made from? I ask because I'm going to do the same but I know some plastics don't bond well to silicones.

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

I think it’s like cutting board type material. I just went to a plastic factory and got an off cut. Sorry I didn’t ask what type it was.

[@benp2724]

@@SecretFishingBusiness all good. Do you remember the silicone or Sikaflex you used?

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

@@benp2724 kitchen and bathroom silicone and 2 screws. I think sikaflex has a marine grade product that works well. Mine has been on a few years now and doesn’t look like moving.

[@getitdone6694]

Thanks for the great video, I have the 3D transducer and the HDI 83/200 455/800 from Laurence and wanted to say some install these flush, you definitely did not, I already installed mine 1/8 below the boat bottom but have room to lower 3/8 or more, how did you find the right level(nose up or down) for the 2 as they are different? The 2D vs 3D I noticed the 3 in 1(which you ingeniously installed backwards) you had showing down a bit on one side and up a bit from the V(can that be done if I don't do the backwards style) and the same with the 2D, but did you do that by trying different positions or you already had it picked? I am just trying to get this ready for offshore in Southern California. Thanks again mate.

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Thanks for the feedback. With both transducers I have them with the nose up just a touch, so there is minimal disturbance across the face of the transducer. The 3-1 transducer is right on the sweet spot of my boat. The hull has a lot to do with the smooth transition of water over your transducer. I have had a few transducers on that spot before.

[@getitdone6694]

​@@SecretFishingBusiness So you didn't use a level to match your boat in the water, you just used the straight edge? And lowering it so much below the boat bottom, why do you think it's better than almost flush with the boat bottom?

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

@@getitdone6694 the transducer needs to skim the water. If I had it any higher it would not read at speed.

[@getitdone6694]

@@SecretFishingBusiness Yeah the skimmer 2 D sonar one, but the 3 in 1 structure transducer also needs to skim? One guy on another youtube said the 3D should not need to be below the bottom of the boat. But the 2D does.

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

@@getitdone6694 the 3-1 transducer has the sonar element in it as well so therefore it needs to be in the water. I have it turned around so the sonar element has cleaner water. If you wanted the 3D transducer to scan at speed it will also need to be in the water. If you are not interested in it working at speed then you probably don’t need it in the water. I can pick up objects like bridge pylons and other objects at speeds of 70kph, which can be useful sometimes.

[@adriancoates9832]

hi good video, i will try reversing the transducer, is it still better for you having it reversed? also can i have the sonar a little higher up because my boat is on a swing mooring and drys out for a hour each day which is mud plus i would worry when riding along that it will hit a object in the water? thanks

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Adrian that is the ideal position for my boat. Different hulls may vary. Maybe one of those adjustable transducer bracket will suit your boat particularly if it’s sitting on the ground at low tide.

[@vrpinky22]

How do you flip you right to left image on the touch screen? I have Lowrance 3-1 9”

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Settings Sidescan Advanced Flip left to right. I think?

[@Steve-yh1pj]

Given that you have mounted in the reverse direction what do you have to do in the configuration to let the device know this??? I am assuming side scan and other modes would be potentially reversed and need to be inverted inside the console....

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Yes the sidescan can be reversed on the console. Flipped from left to right to match the transducer being put on in reverse.

[@robertduklus6555]

g day, I was led to believe that the ''big'' SI transducers cant read the depth while moving over 10 mph. Its important for me to be able to read depth as I will boat on inland lakes. I am planing to use garmin transducer. your opnion will be welcomed.

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Hi Robert with the correct placement it will definitely read at speed. I can pick up the bottom and sidescan at 70kph which is about as fast as my boat will go.

[@robertduklus6555]

@@SecretFishingBusiness thanks

[@Nat0674]

I’ve just installed a HDS live on my boat. I’m curious. How does the side scan go when the leg is down? I haven’t been on the water yet and I’m a bit worried that all I’ll see is leg.

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Some boat the leg needs to be trimmed up a bit.

[@tomdenapoli5313]

So, if you've flipped it front to back aren't your left/right side images reversed now? ie actual left is on the right

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Not at all but a great question. You can switch the settings from left to right in the settings to allow for this.

[@robertgrantham970]

Is the small skimmer transducer tightened all the way at the bracket or did you leave it loose to allow for play?

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

It is tight.

[@giovanniiorfida7016]

hello, sorry for the inconvenience, I wanted to ask you for advice, I bought a hdslive9 with the spnda imaging.3-1 and I wanted to ask you for advice, I saw that it contains 4 types of frequency (high chirp-medium- chirp/ 83e 200) I practice trolling with live snapper on a seabed ranging from 50 meters up to 90, for this type of depth which frequencies should I use? should I use only one or at 50 one frequency and at 90 another type of frequency?, I accept valuable advice thanks

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Hi, both 83 and 200 should pick up fish at those depths. 83 will be a wider beam and 200 would be the narrower. I don’t really fish much in those depths, I prefer to case my snapper in under 5m of water and can get good snapper in 500mm of water. I think the 200 having the narrower beam would be better for trolling in those depths. The narrower beam would focus more on a smaller area under the boat. The wider beam would be better for searching wider. I have found schools of snapper in 60-70m of water doing 60kph. You would need you transducer set up nicely though, but it is possible.

[@giovanniiorfida7016]

@@SecretFishingBusiness thank you very much, you have been very kind

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

@@giovanniiorfida7016 thanks 🙏🏻

[@mikehoneycutt5686]

Thanks! I have issues on my new boat, I lose depth at anywhere between 10 - 18 MPH and have to come to a near stop before it picks up again.

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

I hope this helps.

[@BornAgainCynic0086]

me too, did you solve it?

[@mikehoneycutt5686]

@@BornAgainCynic0086 I had to tilt the back down about 5 degrees and tighten the bracket enough that it didn't tilt back up.

[@BornAgainCynic0086]

@@mikehoneycutt5686 thank you

[@clintpilcher9955]

Would this placement also work with a cat

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Clint Pilcher I have had no experience with cat hulls. It could possibly work depending on the shape of the hull. Would be keen to hear back if you try.

[@Massiverobsfishing]

Does it give opposite sides on the screen as it's essentially backwards??? Im about to install my 3n1 in the next few days i run a big tm275lhw on a simrad nss evos have just picked up a lowerance hds carbon to run auto pilot so am pretty excited to try the 3n1 side scan

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Rob you can switch left to right and right to left in the menu settings.

[@Massiverobsfishing]

@@SecretFishingBusiness ok thanks mate

[@CaptainLeonsBoatingandMore]

Why mount the transducer backwards? That bracket is designed to have the cable run straight up.

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Leon Adler the sonar element is located closer to the cable exit point or traditionally the leading edge. If you turn it around the sonar element is at the rear and has less chance of getting turbulence from the leading edge. The new position now has the sonar element at the rear or trailing edge where the water is cleaner flowing over the transducer. Sidescan is flipped sides in settings. The reading is now flawless on my boat. Video explains it all.

[@CaptainLeonsBoatingandMore]

@@SecretFishingBusiness thank you, sorry if I missed that part in the video, must have been when the wife started talking.. Lol. So with all Lowrances expertise and research, why would they design the transducer that way? If your findings indicated better readings with your placement, then cable should exit from the opposite end of the primary sensor.

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Leon Adler I’m not sure but it helps give a better reading at speed. Another benefit that I have heard is that it can prevent water getting into the transducer from the cable pointing forward. I haven’t had that problem myself but a few guys have mentioned it happening on the faster bass boats.

[@keithcoleman6246]

Do you have a part number for that mounting bracket

[@dwayne1655]

Do you run both simultaneously and if so does it create any noise on screen?

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Dirt Tracker I don’t really run the second one as they are both the same transducer. I originally left it on there because it read so well at speed but the 3-1 reads just as good as well so I could probably take it off and will put it on the trolling motor.

[@jasonspinks4302]

What sort of depths are those 3-1 good for?

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Jason Spinks mate i haven’t fully tested mine in the deep but I can scan out about 50-60m each side in 25m of water the sonar should be good for 90m.

[@nellerzh8r]

Does mounting the transducer backwards give you a reading of what's in front of the boat then?

[@jaywhited1174]

Forward scan...that would be a great feature!

[@justindingwall4234]

@@jaywhited1174 simrad make a forward scan transducer

[@mikeries8549]

@@jaywhited1174 my fluid dynamics teacher could explain why what you're asking for won't work. In plain speak there's an "eddy" right where you're wanting to put your electronic eyeball.

[@daveengstrom9250]

This video is about 5 years old now. How do those transducers work out the way you have them there? All OK?

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

They worked fine for many years like that. I’m now running Humminbird gear on my boat. The mounting of the AI 3-1 transducer is still relevant today, I’ve had plenty of good feedback from happy people.

[@pachedu]

@pachedu 0 seconds ago A query..with the transducer reversed so the sensors are at the back dont you get interference with the motor being in the way on side imaging.

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

I’m not sure about the question. My motor always needs to be trimmed up to get a read on the left hand side. Whilst you can get good side images at speeds of 70kph they are limited on the left hand side because of turbulence from the deep V hull. Apart from that no interference. Side image needs to be flipped from left to right in the settings. I hope that answers your question.

[@pachedu]

@@SecretFishingBusiness Thats fine you answered the question.I have a new lowrance HD with 3 in 1 which still need to optomise but have also had a hds2 touch and a humminbird 1198. The motor was an issue as it shadowed on side scan on the HDS 2 touch but was ok on the bird. Our thought was to get the sensors close to the hull.

[@shamrock4life04]

What depths of water are you picking up bottom at speed?

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

michael arnold up to 90meters at 60kph Have found fish in 60m at 60kph.

[@shamrock4life04]

On par with garmin gt51?

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

michael arnold I haven’t had the opportunity to test one out.

[@bakervinci163]

I don’t think being backwards matters. I have a transducer mount on my jackplate. My boat goes 95 mph. It broke off of the mount.

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

95mph wow. Mine would never go that fast. There would be nothing left in the water except the prop.

[@johnsedler3647]

What's the name of the big transducer thx nice video

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

AI 3-1 it was released with the Lowrance Live units and also works with the Carbon Units.

[@ferkxd451]

The side scan are gonna be on opisite sides.

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Yes that is correct, but can be switched in settings very easily.

[@cubangenerationwhybyjorgeg2501]

I think you installed the transducer backwards, mate.

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

You are correct. It was done for a specific reason. The video explains all. Sidescan settings can be changed from left to right to compensate.

[@darrylveale5816]

hi having the transducer this deep would course a roster tail

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

darryl veale yes it does spray a little bit but reads perfectly.

[@darrylveale5816]

@@SecretFishingBusiness ok thanks

[@darrylveale5816]

@@SecretFishingBusiness hi me again i have changed my transducer around same as yours in reversed,,,, just a silly question for you do you still have to tilt your motor as high or can you have it lower and not get blocked from the motor.....? Mine is where the line goes around the transducer to the bottom of the transducer is where bottom of the boat is thanks

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

darryl veale the left hand side is not as good as the right hand side. My motor is normally trimmed up a fair way at speed but I still think there is some interference.

[@paulsheriff5733]

Where did you get that big chunk of plastic?

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Paul Sheriff from the offcut bin at a plastic factory

[@paulsheriff5733]

@@SecretFishingBusiness I haven't been able to find a plastic factory in Bundaberg, can you be more specific?

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Paul Sheriff sorry mate I’m in Brisbane. The name of the place was Cut to size plastics.

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Paul Sheriff they were on Evans Rd Salisbury in Brisbane but have either moved or closed.

[@paulsheriff5733]

@@SecretFishingBusiness cheers I'll scout around for something similar

[@Number1Cowboy]

your transducer is facing the rear ,the cord coming out of the transducer should be up against the transom ,there is a front and rear of every transducer,you trying to act like a pro when you don't even know the correct installation of a transducer,,go back and look at the transducer installation instructions,

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Watch the video you may learn something.

[@SecretFishingBusiness]

Also check out the comments on people that it has helped out.

[@lemuelhenderson2145]

Did you even watch the video