dff3d and transom transducer placement on catamaran

[sailence]

We mounted out transducer over the past weekend, but I was having serious trouble trying to find a place to put it. We ended up placing it but I feel as if the motor will mess it up. Using the tm54 transducer

Take a look and tell me what you think.

Thanks

 

[Catillac]

I am having the same issue and actually messaged you on the hull truth and then saw your post here. On catamaran hulls we can only place the transducer so far out and with the 120 degree angle I am worried as you are that the lower unit will block some of the signal. I want to use the DFF3D for the PBG mapping and worried that if part of the signal is blocked by the motor that I will not get good mapping. My only other option is to do a pocket mount of one of the combo transducers or a thru hull with fairing block. Wish they made a flush mount through hull like a B175 with the DFF3D element because that would work much better.

FURUNO Techs please help!

 

[Deep Blue]

sailence & Catillac,

In choosing the best position and mounting type for DFF3D transducers (or other transducers like Wide Beam CHIRP transducers) for use on catamarans, especially the trailered catamarans can be even more of a challenge. Using a thru-hull transducer is the best recommended choice. Another choice would be pocket mounting the transducer installation. And lastly, using a the transom mounting transducer configuration.

When the catamaran is being powered by outboards or with sterndrives the distance between the drives and transducer mounting in most cases is really inadequate, and generally is placed within an area of turbulent disturbed water. An example of this would be the mounting of a transducer between the outboards or sterndrives in a twin drive system. This may work for a mono hull vessel but unfortunately not for the catamaran designs. In most cases the best solution that I've stated before is to mount the transducer in a thru-hull or in pocket mount configuration which will allow the transducer to receive the least disturbed water forward of any drive(s) while still remaining “wet-faced and turbulent free”.

Also, selecting mounting limitations of the hull (taking account of vessel's hull material, the hull type and the most suitable position) including physical external impacts such as trailer rollers, trailer guides, and the lifting points.

If the hull design or trailer application does not allow for thru-hull or pocket mount transducer installations, then the transom mounted transducer is the last best option that can be used with limits to consider. Mounting the transducer on a starboard catamaran pontoon far out on starboard side of the starboard motor as possible and as deep in the water as possible. Another thing to keep in mind that sea trialing for these vessels have also demonstrated a reduction of turbulence by trimming the motor upwards.

Good luck out there..! :capt
- Deep Blue

 

[Catillac]

Thanks DB. Now if only furuno/airmar would make a dff3d flush mount thruhull transducer. Guess I will have to go with a pocket mount.

 

[LowKeyKyle]

We mounted out transducer over the past weekend, but I was having serious trouble trying to find a place to put it. We ended up placing it but I feel as if the motor will mess it up. Using the tm54 transducer

Take a look and tell me what you think.

Thanks

Did you end up fixing this issue? I am currently looking to buy the DFF3D system for my prokat 2660 WA (catamaran). So far, I haven't seen much about this system on Catamarans.

 

[LowKeyKyle]

Thanks DB. Now if only furuno/airmar would make a dff3d flush mount thruhull transducer. Guess I will have to go with a pocket mount.

Did you end up moving forward with the pocket mount? If yes, how did it turn out? Where did you mount it? If not, what did you end up doing?