Depth Sounder

[Full_O_Fish]

If you're willing to sacrifice reading the bottom at higher speeds you can also mount the transducer in a much more user friendly area, under the floor of the forward section of the "cave". That is where I mounted my transducers. Great performance up to around 12kts depending on sea state of course...

Just drill a hole in the plywood large enough for a 6" round access plate, or if using a larger transducer like I did, then put in a full 11"x17" hatch cutting out the opening with a jigsaw.

Just has to be forward of the hull step by about a foot, but that's easy to see/measure since the step is the fiberglass bump in outboard edge of the floor.

 

[SEA DOG]

If you're willing to sacrifice reading the bottom at higher speeds you can also mount the transducer in a much more user friendly area, under the floor of the forward section of the "cave". That is where I mounted my transducers. Great performance up to around 12kts depending on sea state of course...

Just drill a hole in the plywood large enough for a 6" round access plate, or if using a larger transducer like I did, then put in a full 11"x17" hatch cutting out the opening with a jigsaw.

Just has to be forward of the hull step by about a foot, but that's easy to see/measure since the step is the fiberglass bump in outboard edge of the floor.

Great idea. BTW Would you know the make and model number of the transducer used in the bilge under the engine of the C-30S?

 

[Full_O_Fish]

Usually that transducer would have been an old Airmar P72 that was made for Garmin, which only has a 200kHz element and would have been epoxied in place. There is no fluid or anything serviceable in that transducer compared to the later P79 and GT15 in-hull transducers which use propylene glycol to fill their reservoir. The P72 is fully potted (filled with urethane resin) and the modern equivalent transducer is the GT8, however this model is not compatible with the older sounder modules. (P79 with the correct plug or adapter cable is fully compatible and has two frequencies 50/200kHz).

 

[SEA DOG]

Your transducer is located on the forward starboard side of the engine very bottom of the bilge. Not a easy get to location. Remove the 4 screws holding down the cover, twist the lid off of transducer. I use a plastic ketchup bottle. ( dollar store) Fill with RV antifreeze and make sure the O ring is seated properly. Before you button it back up make sure the depth sounder is working. (Lesson learned) You will probably have to refill every other year. That's been my experience with my 2016 C30. Annoying!

Hey Harry, Would you know the make and model if the transducer on your C-30S.

 

[Shabuba]

I have to fill my transducer yearly. Next time I am removing it, buffing the location where it is mounted, and securing it with new adhesive. Luckily the is difficult to gain access to, making the job a real dream to accomplish.

I need to add anti-freeze. I am looking for instructions on how to get to the transducer. I have a 2022 31CB. Do I need to pull the refrigerator to get to it, and if so, how best to do that. Is it hardwired or plugged in, or both? Can you pull it out enough to easily get behind it?
Any suggestions at all will be greatly appreciated.
Joe Burroughs
Shabuba

 

[SEA DOG]

I need to add anti-freeze. I am looking for instructions on how to get to the transducer. I have a 2022 31CB. Do I need to pull the refrigerator to get to it, and if so, how best to do that. Is it hardwired or plugged in, or both? Can you pull it out enough to easily get behind it?
Any suggestions at all will be greatly appreciated.
Joe Burroughs
Shabuba

I have a 2016 C30S. My transducer is located on the Stbd.side of the engine just to the right of the alternator under a square piece of plywood held down with 2 sruare head screws. (which I replaced). Once the piece of plywood is removed, I am lokking down at the transducer. Not the best place for it for several reasons!

 

[Tows in the sand]

I'm still interested in the ultra sound gel idea.
Has anyone tried to (thicken) pink antifreeze with something like guar gum or even gelatin?

 

[az9133bm]

We recently installed a new GT15M that is compatible with our new 8610xsv chartplotter.

Step 6 of the installation manual (https://static.garmin.com/pumac/GT15M_In-Hull_Transducer_Install_EN.pdf): Fill the tank with RV/marine antifreeze fluid or mineral oil.

We tried mineral oil and it works flawlessly.

 

[Brian John]

I need to add anti-freeze. I am looking for instructions on how to get to the transducer. I have a 2022 31CB. Do I need to pull the refrigerator to get to it, and if so, how best to do that. Is it hardwired or plugged in, or both? Can you pull it out enough to easily get behind it?
Any suggestions at all will be greatly appreciated.
Joe Burroughs
Shabuba

I have the same tug.

Lay down cardboard, Use 4 - 2''x6''s 30" or so long, unscrew the refrig. and pull it out resting on the 2x6s, then pull the cardboard out and towards the V-Berth. The transducer is right below the refrig. Be careful crawling in there, I had raw razor-sharp fiberglass and slit my arm. Once in the area the rest is sort of simple.

This is me in the refrigerator opening wiring for my backup camera nad additional solar panels. The tranducer is under my back.