Side Scan Sonar

[Flymost]

I have been wanting to try out the side scan sonar for a while and finally decided to go ahead with it, but wanted to hear from some cat owners on how and where they mounted the transducer? It looks like it will be hard to get the transducer far enough away from the motor to allow you to scan both sides, but am not sure. I do remember reading about a cat owner who did this when they first came out, but can't remember where I read it, so if you have done it, or know where I can find out about it I would greatly appreciate it.

Also, has anyone tried it in deeper water (say 200-400)? I am thinking that even if it doesn't work that deep it will be a great opportunity to find bait, ling, etc around shallow rigs, along with looking under weed lines.

Thanks

[conehead39]

This attachment appears to be from Deep Vee boat using Simrad main unit and Navico /Lowrance's structure scan

George Poveromo SWS Mag and Lowrance user says it works well in bridge channels.
Note how high the scan freq is 700-800.
So don't expect much in deep water.

Of course you could buy a used USN bow sonar, probably weighs around 4,000 lbs.

[conehead39]

http://www.youtube.com/user/stripers182 ... o8lWPK1nR0

[Flymost]

Thanks for the video, I am hoping that someone out there has put it on a cat. Would like to know how they mounted the transducer to keep from getting interference from the motor. It just looks like the sponsons are not wide enough to get the transducer away from the motors.

[conehead39]

NAVICO acquistions.
If you think the Morse,Teleflex,Sea Star,Hynautic was confusing then read the NAVICO version.
Maybe next year they will be making electronic condoms,also.

Anyway, it looks pretty good
I have seen some high quality Simrad products in the past.

As far as mounting the structure scan. They now make a small boat shaped device for the hull to hold the 455-800 mhz td.it is boat shaped
I guess you would have to choose a sponson that would not be in a bubble trail.

Remember you can still plug in and operate additionally high wattage 50/200 transducers.

[TowBoatUS]

Not a direct answer. We have been using the Humminbird 1157C for about 6 months with great results. 1 KW unit has the ability to penetrate with great detail. Because of the cost and specialized use in our business we have kept it as a portable so we can take it to any of our WCs. We have it mounted on a pipe so it can fit on the swim ladder bracket which limits our speed to about seven knots when deployed. In less than 30ft its FM -- as an example not only can you see a crab trap on the bottom is square, you can see the individual slats on the trap up to about 50' off cenerline on either side. Finding sunken boats is now a snap. I have a captain that has the Lowerance unit with similiar results -- he has had problems with their radar.

[Flymost]

Thanks for the info, I was beginning to believe that it couldn't be done as I emailed Lowrance and they were not optomistic. (I did get a quick reply tho, which is good for Lowrance). Any chance that you can find out where your friend has his mounted?

[TowBoatUS]

Flymost,

Matt has his Lowerence mounted on the stern of his mono hull. I've looked at the WC and believe that it can be mounted as you would a conventional transducer. The tests we have run were placing the transducer well below the engine skeg in between the hulls. I had a good talk with the Lowerence Regional Rep who indicated they had a system using two transducers, one on or in either side -- you could talk to them. I plan on placing the Humminbird 1KW as a conventional transom mount and see what happens. We just picked up our eight WC and will mount the transducer within a week or so -- I'll let you know what I find out.

[chuckd]

I have one mounted on my 320ec, like a normal transom mount unit on the port transom. It reads better to the left, I simply tilt both motors up a bit and it works on both sides. I turn it down to 455hz and works well out to 60-70fsw. My boat is in the water and the barnacles build up quick and hurt performance significantly.


I mounted a second transducer and power cable and bracket on my Baycat, single motor. Same situation, the motor has to be tilted up a good bit to reduce interference on one side. I use that in shallow water 10-40', and it's awesome. I can find rocks and potholes less than 5' diameter. Calm seas help.

Charlie

[Flymost]

Charlie,

Thanks for the reply. After looking at the transducer more I thought that I might be able to just tilt the motor up. Did you mean 60-70ft of water, or 60-70 feet either side. The reason I ask is that I am hoping to be able to use it to circle rigs in deeper water to quickly find bait and AJ's.

Thanks,

Rob