Transducer?

[sdsurf]

Good morning
On the bottom of my boat I have this sensor? Anyone know what it might be? The wire coming off of it looks like a radio antenna wire or RCA cable.

Thank you

[Viper]

That's a transducer used for a depth sounder. The only sounders that used that type of connector back in the day that I know of were the old flasher type sounders/fish finders commonly used and pretty much the only option back then for recreational boating/fishing. Pretty sure flashers are still available today though I don't know why one would prefer it over a graphic display unit except for the price point.

[km1125]

Datamarine also used an RCA connector for their transducer for their digital depthsounder.

[sdsurf]

I guess I know the answer but could I pull this one and mount a modern thru hull for my fishfinder?

[Viper]

The short answer is yes. You might have to do some extra work if the hole is a different size from that of the new one though. The other thing you might want to consider is just leaving that one there and install a transom mounted unit which is perfectly acceptable for a sterndrive application which I think is what you have. It's an easy install.

If you're going to put a new one in the same spot, figure out the angle of the hull at that location and get a ducer that's designed to work at that angle without having to use a fairing block which you'd have to cut on an angle to match the hull. It might be a little more expensive but will save you time on the installation, and it will sit flat on the hull rather than having a block there that could cause drag.

[bud37]

I agree with putting one on the transom with your boat. Leave the old one there if no leaks/rot etc.

One other to consider is a shoot thru the hull type.....many ways to do that that work just fine unless you want to see the bottom over 1000'..... and bonus no holes.

[Viper]

The shoot thru ducer is fine as long as it's a solid hull with no core which I'm not sure about on this particular vintage build. It can be done but you should remove the core and replace it with glass/resin for best performance.