Shoot through hull transducer install

[steveinak]

I'm installing a M-260 shoot through the hull ducer on the boat. I can't get to the spot i want it to go without cutting up my deck so i'm going to mount it in a temporary spot until next season when i'm going to cut in a rope locker and will be able to get to the spot i want to mount it in. So do i use a good grade of silicone to make the seal for the tank or should i use something like 42 or 5200? I know if i use 5200 what a PITA it will be to try and get it loose but i don't want the tank to leak either.

 

[F/V First Team]

sikaflex 292
mines over 10 years old with no problems with just a coating on the bottom of it

 

[steveinak]

Thanks Travis. OK now on to problem #2, boat isn't sitting level(side to side) ducer tank needs to be cut so it sits level/square with bottom of boat so do i just scribe a line on the tank using a piece of 1/2 0r 3/4" plywood for the guide or do i have to use a level to get the tank sitting level and then scribe the line on the tank bottom?? It doesn't look to off by much but trying to see bottom at 100 fathoms every degree off will add up. I'm a dumb shit when it comes to figuring out angles and how to scribe them.

 

[F/V First Team]

just grab yourself a pair of dividers and have at it. check to see how your vessel is sitting on the trailer or where you have it, look to see where the bubble is in your level and duplicate it with your box. scribe to fit. anything can be used so long as it is parallel and doesnt change on the different sides

 

[steveinak]

Alright here's what i did today & i'm waiting for any replies before i cut the tank

Leveled up the boat on the trailer side to side, checked the level on the deck in a few spots and they all were very close so i'm thinking good enough


clamped a level to the transducer tank leveled up the bubble and scribed my line for the cut so this should give me a squared up transducer, right???

 

[F/V First Team]

Correct

Easy right?

 

[steveinak]

Correct

Easy right?

Yeah with your help, thanks Travis. Now on to the cutting of the tank, mark it all around and trim with a jigsaw?? Should i try and set the angle of the cut to lay flush with the hull? or just let the sealant make up the difference??

 

[F/V First Team]

A hack saw works pretty good on the ends for starting your cut, then just follow it with the jig saw, or if you're handy with a grinder cut it square and bevel it that way. A belt sander works well too.

 

[steveinak]

A hack saw works pretty good on the ends for starting your cut, then just follow it with the jig saw, or if you're handy with a grinder cut it square and bevel it that way. A belt sander works well too.

Ok i've got a good sized belt sander, that sounds like i can do the least damage if i'm off a bit on the angle. I was thinking bandsaw if i set up a good jig to hold the angle but sanding off a little bit at a time is a better idea.

 

[F/V First Team]

Luckily your area looks pretty straight forward and reasonably flat with no compounding angles. Belt sander should work out just fine.

 

[steveinak]

Luckily your area looks pretty straight forward and reasonably flat with no compounding angles. Belt sander should work out just fine.

yup thats what i think i'll use, thanks again for all the advise, remember if your ever up this way i owe ya some fishing time.

 

[FVSD]

another way to get the angle right is to just flip the box over and draw a straight line using the level.