Transducer placement 330 Express

[grady33]

I have 2 Furuno VX2 units with a B60 transducer flush mount installed in front of forward bilge pump centerline 15 feet from stern. Borderline too far forward but that area appears to be the only place to put one. There are too many water intakes in stern. I’m looking to move up to chirp and add a Garmin 7612xsv unit. The problem is where to mount the 1,000 watt transducer and which type - fairing block, thru hull etc. Considering a B275LHW or B275HW and maybe B175. If I go fairing route, I get both in one transducer.

For anyone with a 330 and recent chirp set up, how are you configured with transducer. Here’s some photos of the area.

 

[SkunkBoat]

I have 265 express. I have an Airmar thru hull centerline between the live well and wash down intakes.
I just added Garmin chirp/sidescan transom mount. Went with the transom mount because it came with the Echo94sv. A thru hull would cost me $700 extra and I don't know where it would fit.
I was worried that the intakes and Airmar would cause bubbles and interfere but it works great( at trolling speed). The Airmar reads well on plane.
I used a "STERN PAD Jumbo" stick-on mounting plate so no holes in transom

 

[grady33]

Thanks. Had considered that option. Met with an installer yesterday and went over all options. It appears that on my 06 Grady 330, there are not many options. I’ve ruled out a fairing block as it would be too large and I really don’t want anything hanging down plus the places where to put it are limited and really tight. He said thru hull flush tilted transducers are not that good on plane and most people he installs them for are not happy with results. A pocket transducer is the best option but again space is tight. Might go the way you went or just bag it this year and upgrade my VX2 B60 to B175 or 1k standard. Gonna read better than what I have now for sure but not chirp.

Anyone else with an older 330 go through this exercise?

 

[SkunkBoat]

Since my existing 50kHz/200kHz sonar worked really well, I went with the sidescan model for a second sonar. I figured it is the latest thing and why spend money and not have the latest technology.

I have used it once and it really is useful. We went wreck fishing for cod and the sidescan really does give you a picture of the wreck and what rubble lies off to the sides.

I think it will come in very handy finding schools of bunker (bait) when it is off to the side. I'm impressed.

 

[grady33]

I mostly troll northeast canyons and don’t really wreck fish. I think I’m going to install a B175 transducer and upgrade my VX2 sonar to DFF1. Probably installing in aft bilge area.

 

[grady33]

Changes plans and eventually went with B175HW and upgraded one VX2 to Garmin 7512xsv. Installed it above first stringer in aft to the left of generator intake. Flat surface with 21 degree Deadrise. Easy install but learned some lessons along the way. Was a little bit hard to cut a 3 3/4 hole in bottom. Sealed with 4200 fast cure. Wish I had bought the special tools that airman sells for install as space is tight and we had to move stuff to get channel locks on the nut.

Make sure to take everything before using 4200 - stuff get everywhere. BOE marine has good video on B60 install that should help.

Will run wire and fire up unit this weekend hopefully.

 

[SkunkBoat]

I mostly troll northeast canyons and don’t really wreck fish. I think I’m going to install a B175 transducer and upgrade my VX2 sonar to DFF1. Probably installing in aft bilge area.

I'm thinking the sidescan will show me whats hanging under pot markers when trolling for dolphin. Can't wait to test it out!

 

[Bayhouse]

I have the Garmin GT51TM mounted right next to the garboard plug and it's worked great at all speeds on my 03 330. This is wired into my 7607 at the helm and networked to my 7610 in the tower. Great sidescan unit, but not very good for deep water.

I kept a Furuno head unit at the helm (just upgraded from VX1 to VX2) for the radar but the transducer took a crap last season. Replaced with a 1kw TM260 next to the GT51 and hope to get decent deep water performance. I looked at all kinds of options and thought the transom mount was going to be the easiest to test. That TM260 is HUGE.

 

[everwhom]

Curious to hear how the B175HW install went. I have the 7612xsv and the GT51M-TH mounted directly on the keel centerline (2003 330 Express) about in-line with the generator and air-con thru-hulls. I had it originally mounted without the fairing block but I would lose sonar picture (though not bottom) at planing speeds. It was recommended to me to try adding the full fairing block to push the transducer deeper into cleaner water away from the hull surface. I had that done this winter, but unfortunately it did not help the picture at planing speed (though I feel like the regular picture when trolling is possibly a bit better -- hard to tell, because it was always very clear!)

Anyways, next winter I'm going to try adding a 2nd 8-pin transducer, probably way off to one side in the aft like your B175HW install. The goal is to be able to see schools of fish or bait at cruise speed!

Joe

 

[grady33]

Curious to hear how the B175HW install went. I have the 7612xsv and the GT51M-TH mounted directly on the keel centerline (2003 330 Express) about in-line with the generator and air-con thru-hulls. I had it originally mounted without the fairing block but I would lose sonar picture (though not bottom) at planing speeds. It was recommended to me to try adding the full fairing block to push the transducer deeper into cleaner water away from the hull surface. I had that done this winter, but unfortunately it did not help the picture at planing speed (though I feel like the regular picture when trolling is possibly a bit better -- hard to tell, because it was always very clear!)

Anyways, next winter I'm going to try adding a 2nd 8-pin transducer, probably way off to one side in the aft like your B175HW install. The goal is to be able to see schools of fish or bait at cruise speed!

Joe

The install went well. I placed it starboard of the first stringer in the aft bilge. Very flat area and about 3/4 - 1" of fiberglass to cut. Solid core so no worries about wood getting wet. I have not hooked up the 7612xsv but plan to do so this weekend. Will be a few weeks before we get offshore and test it but will definitely report back.