Garmin Transducer choices for Canyon 271

[GRad]

Looking for recommendations- does anyone run paired TH Garmin GT51's? If so, are you happy with the performance? (Traditional and SideVu?)

Is there a need for a third (1kW) transducer?

Would you recommend a different setup?

For new build- Northeast striper/blue/albie and ground fishing up to 300 ft.

Thanks for any suggestions/experience.

 

[PukeNreel]

I’m on the West Coast and mostly fish for salmon. I’m usually in water that is pretty murky and 200 feet or less. I have used it 2 full seasons and I am absolutely unimpressed by my GT 51.. I don’t have much experience with side view, it’s traditional for me… definitely miss a lot of stuff that the 175hw picks up. Also the target separation is not great … I know it’s comparing apples to oranges but I would never buy another one.

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

I had a GT51M-TM on my Venture 34 in Costa Rica and it worked great in the very murky water there, either in traditional or in side-scan and the GT51M is considered as the best side-scan transducer available in this moment.
I will install soon again a GT51M on my Canyon as there is nothing better available for side-scan in this moment, not sure if the transom mount center keel or the twin transducer thru-hull what would be better as i have a B265LH center keel what may disturb reading.

The question is if you need side-scan for either your boating or fishing as side-scan is very good to find structure down to about 200ft, but not good to find fish swimming above the bottom as returns are weak and can be easily overseen. Consider that regarding side-scan, however the down and traditional depth sounder works well for most use.
If your target fish swims in mid water a W transducer (wide cone) may be the better solution, but you will loose bottom reading definition as the cone is very wide, so you would need a second one for bottom fishing.

The GT51M-TM transom mount can be installed on a single or twin outboard boat on the transom, best would be between the engines center keel, if that does not work then on the side of stbd /single engine about 10 inch far from center lower unit. Worst case would be that you have to trim the outboard/s a bit up to allow side-scan free view to the other side what may be partially obstructed by the tucked in lower unit.
It is my believe that a correct installed single GT51M-TH or the GT51M-THP will read a bit better, but is more expensive to buy and install. The rather round hull of GW make it usually possible to install a single GT51M-TH center keel, consider this solution if doable for your use.

Chris

 

[SkunkBoat]

Looking for recommendations- does anyone run paired TH Garmin GT51's? If so, are you happy with the performance? (Traditional and SideVu?)

Is there a need for a third (1kW) transducer?

Would you recommend a different setup?

For new build- Northeast striper/blue/albie and ground fishing up to 300 ft.

Thanks for any suggestions/experience.

No need to buy two GT51s. I have a GT51M-TH on the centerline with no fairing. Works much much better than a TM at speed. But a TM works perfectly well for finding wrecks/rocks and you would save money.

I think your perfect choices would be a GT51M-TM on the centerline for bottom fishing along with a B175HW for a wide view for striper and tuna fishing.
You could also just use a TM (transom mounted) GT51 or any of the UHD series gt52 56... as long as you have a B175 for when you are running..

You can get away with just the GT51M on the centerline. I use that most of the time. It is a great setup that works at all speeds.

I have a 2kw R199 for deep water canyon fishing.

 

[GRad]

Thanks a lot for the replies folks. SkunkBoat: I was advised pair due to hull shape on Canyon? Do you think if bottom fishing in 300' or less you could just use the GT51(s) ?

No need to buy two GT51s. I have a GT51M-TH on the centerline with no fairing. Works much much better than a TM at speed. But a TM works perfectly well for finding wrecks/rocks and you would save money.

I think your perfect choices would be a GT51M-TM on the centerline for bottom fishing along with a B175HW for a wide view for striper and tuna fishing.
You could also just use a TM (transom mounted) GT51 or any of the UHD series gt52 56... as long as you have a B175 for when you are running..

You can get away with just the GT51M on the centerline. I use that most of the time. It is a great setup that works at all speeds.

I have a 2kw R199 for deep water canyon fishing.

 

[SkunkBoat]

Thanks a lot for the replies folks. SkunkBoat: I was advised pair due to hull shape on Canyon? Do you think if bottom fishing in 300' or less you could just use the GT51(s) ?

So, you have a typical grady SeaV2 hull. No steps in hull. what I'm saying is you can mount just one GT51 thru hull on the centerline.
here is my 265 (very similar in size to your 271).
I cannot see any good reason why you would spend for two GT51s. I can't imagine that you don't have space on the centerline.
There is no interference from the water inlet thru hulls. There is no interference with the motors.


I use the GT51 as my main sonar. You get SideVu, DownVu and Traditional looks. You can split screen and see all three if you want.
The sidevu is really a game changer for bottom fishing. I wouldn't be without it.
You can certainly do Northeast coastal fishing with just the GT51 and nothing else. The B175HW would probably get you a better (wider)look at fish swimming under the boat. Like tuna or stripers...
I don't have one because I opted for an R199 to read bottom to 3000 ft. The GT51, when drifting for tilefish, loses bottom at about 700-800ft. When running on plane it gets sketchy over 200-300.


I replaced the original B744 with the GT51.

 

[GRad]

Outstanding, thanks very much for your time and the photos!

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

If you can install the Gt51M-TH in the location SkunkBoat has it mounted then it should work with slings.
Unfortunately the installer who installed the B265LH for the ex owner choose the location exactly there where the sling goes and thats not good.

If you use a lift to lift your canyon then consider that to not run in the same problem.

I probably need to install the twin GT51 or the transom one as i have the big B265LH center line what would create turbulence if GT51 is behind and i fear i can't reach a position enough ahead of the B265LH so that the GT51 does not create turbulence to the B265LH.
The cheapest but still working solution is the transom mount, center keel just left/right of the drain plug.

Chris