Where to mount thru hull transducer

[Wakeboard142]

I have a 1997 Responce just need to know where to drill 2 inch hole for thru hull transducer . Owned her from new and need a depth finder for some new lakes

 

[justgary]

10 hours ago, Wakeboard142 said:

I have a 1997 Responce just need to know where to drill 2 inch hole for thru hull transducer . Owned her from new and need a depth finder for some new lakes

 

I think that the factory location is just forward of the engine bay and the little vertical dress panel.  Remove that panel and you should find your bilge pump as well.

[wiscomalibu]

Something I can finally contribute to after many years viewing content on the forum! 
 

Nothing more exhilarating than drilling a 2 inch hole in your boat.

I completed this project on a 2001 sunsetter lxi a couple of years ago with the Hawkeye transducer which has performed excellently. I mounted towards the front end of the engine bay in front of the transmission cooler. if you cannot mount it where your previous thru hull transducer was located, that is a pretty good spot and haven’t had any issues. my old transducer was a different diameter so I decided to cut a new hole. If you want to use your old location and have a different diameter transducer you could insert a wood plug into your old transducer hole so that your hole saw can function properly to cut a bigger hole. 

This is common sense, but make sure you measure twice and cut once, and ensure you have proper clearance to actually install the unit prior to letting the drill rip. You should drill from the outside in so to minimize any splintering on your gel coat. You can drill a pilot hole from the inside out to ensure proper placement before you start cutting from the outside. I used the old transducer cable as a “fish tape” to pull my new cable to the dash.

[Wakeboard142]

Thanks guys nothing like drilling a hole in a boat and being wrong

[minnmarker]

Consider running the drill In reverse as you cut into the first layer of gelcoat.

Practice first on a piece of hard wood.  Make sure the hole is the right size.

[wdr]

1 hour ago, minnmarker said:

Consider running the drill In reverse as you cut into the first layer of gelcoat.

Practice first on a piece of hard wood.  Make sure the hole is the right size.

From both sides

[Wakeboard142]

Thanks again everyone not my first rodeo installed so far 7 tower and 4 sets of pop up cleats on other boats.   Just have one shot for the right location on my baby ( don’t want to many 2” holes in the bottom of the boat ) lol

[formulaben]

And after you're done drilling, be sure to chamfer the gelcoat at a 45 degree angle to prevent spider cracking.  Smaller holes you can use what this guy used or a countersink bit, but for larger ones I use a dremel and a sanding drum attachment.