sidescan transducers

[SkunkBoat]

Anybody have a sidescan sonar with a transom mounted transducer? Does outboard motor interfere with sidescan?

I'm looking to put a secondary sonar on my Grady. Looking at Garmin 94sv. Going with Garmin because boat already has a 4208 (with a garmin24 Sonar unit and Airmar trhu Hull xducer) and I don't want to learn 2 different menus.

There are deals with included transom mount transducer $899. To use a Thru Hull I would have to purchase separately @ $850 unit+ $700 thru hull transducer(that is prohibitive!).

With the cost difference it seems I should just try the transom mount.
With twin outboards and trim tabs there is not much space for mounting.

[phatdaddy]

little bit of second hand experience, my buddy with the dusky has a simrad go 7 with side scan. no real problem with motor, had to tweak it a bit to get it to read at speed(regular bottom machine, not sscan). on his, the side scan is not very useful over 60-80 ft. great in the bay 20-40ft. also must be going very slow.

[randlemanboater]

I hadn't even thought about the motor being in the way of a sidescan transducer on the transom, it does seem like it one side would get blocked.

In am trying to figure out if the working unit on my "new" boat supports sidescan. It is a Garmin 741xs and on the unit itself it has the option for sidescan, but everything I can find on the internet says the 741xs doesn't support sidescan.

Anyone know about that at all?

[DiverDux]

I have a Garmin GPSMAP 7608xsv. It is capable of sidescan, however we never use it. We walleye fish here in Lake Erie's central basin for fish suspended in the water column. I find that traditional CHIRP sonar is all we need. Had a transom mount duser and wasn't happy with the results. Switched to a thru-hull ducer, (Yeah, I spent the money) but the difference was incredible. Just something to consider. I tried to save a few bucks with the transom mount and ended up spending more.

[SkunkBoat]

Originally Posted by DiverDux

I have a Garmin GPSMAP 7608xsv. It is capable of sidescan, however we never use it. We walleye fish here in Lake Erie's central basin for fish suspended in the water column. I find that traditional CHIRP sonar is all we need. Had a transom mount duser and wasn't happy with the results. Switched to a thru-hull ducer, (Yeah, I spent the money) but the difference was incredible. Just something to consider. I tried to save a few bucks with the transom mount and ended up spending more.

The existing traditional FF/Gps has a really good thru hull and works great even running @ 30 mph. Trolling in the canyon I was reading bottom @ 1200ft. Tho I know the sidescan would be great with a thru hull on the centerline, its just alot of money for a "secondary" FF. Since I already have a really good down sonar, I figure I should get sidescan to gain some added benefit. I know they don't go deep but it seems it will be a great help finding schools of bait off to the side and finding debris fields next to wrecks in under 100ft.
With the current deals I will basically get a transom xducer for $50 so I might as well try it for a season before dropping $700 on a thru Hull


On my V20 (just sold!) I had a shoot-thru-hull epoxied to the inside hull and it was far better than any transom mounted xducer I ever had.

[SkunkBoat]

Originally Posted by randlemanboater

I hadn't even thought about the motor being in the way of a sidescan transducer on the transom, it does seem like it one side would get blocked.

In am trying to figure out if the working unit on my "new" boat supports sidescan. It is a Garmin 741xs and on the unit itself it has the option for sidescan, but everything I can find on the internet says the 741xs doesn't support sidescan.

Anyone know about that at all?

741xs "supports" sidescan if you have separate GCV10 scanning sonar module connected. (after 5 days of research I'm becoming an expert on the Garmin product line....)

[randlemanboater]

Ah, thanks.

That explains why I couldn't find a sidescan transducer that would hook to the unit.

[BillTex]

Skunk...I am running the 94SV...transducer is mounted on stern near OB. At speed I can see depth, but not details.
I am not sure if I can improve on this...I do know I am not likely to drill more holes.
I dont fish at 30 mph, so I have not worried about it.

Bottom line; very pleased with the unit. The default maps are very good IMO, and the side scan and clear VU are incredible. I dont see any interference where I have the transducer mounted...at least not at fishing/trolling speeds...or anchored (tog) fishing.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Check into running dual transom mount transducers. I know hummingbird had a cable that allowed you to run one mounted outboard of the hull on either side, and they plugged into a y cable that plugged into the head unit. This way dual outboards wasn't an issue.

[SkunkBoat]

Originally Posted by THEFERMANATOR

Check into running dual transom mount transducers. I know hummingbird had a cable that allowed you to run one mounted outboard of the hull on either side, and they plugged into a y cable that plugged into the head unit. This way dual outboards wasn't an issue.

unfortunately, these sidescan transducers cost $600 a piece for a transom mount when its not included with a unit. Thru hulls are $700. They sell a 2 xducer thru hull kit for big boats and people who don't blink at cost....So buying an extra one is too painful.

I just bought the Garmin 94sv w/transom mount xducer at West Marine. They have triple reward points today so that saves me over $100.