Advice on mounting transducer to aluminum boat hull
 

I want to mount a transducer to the back of a War Eagle boat with a surface drive motor. The instructions are pretty clear on how and where it's to be located, but I hate drilling holes in any boat below the water line, I have seen some heavy plastic mounting blocks that are attached to the boat by epoxy that you use to drill into for the transducer screws. However it is only been demonstrated on fiberglass boats, not aluminum. Does anyone have any experience with these mounts and their serviceability?

ww.basspro.com/Stern-Saver-Transducer-Mounting-System/product/1411010627028/

Also, if we decide to drill straight into the transom, what sealant do you recommend using on the screws? I'm sure it has to be a special marine grade sealant to use below the water line and I don't want to use the wrong stuff.

TIA for all the replies.

I have the stern saver on my Grizzly aluminum boat and it works great. The big thing with the stern saver versus a poly block is the threaded holes that form a mechanical attachment. Epoxy doesn't adhere to poly so the mechanical attachment is essential for it to stay on your boat.


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I just drilled the holes and used a piece of electrical tape as a gasket for the bracket.

That was 10 years ago, and it has never leaked a drop.

Most likely it wont leak at all without any sealant. I would just get some marine grade caulk and put a dab around the head before you tighten it down. It should be fine. Its definitely not like the boats going to sink if it does leak a little.

I did the stern saver deal and screwed it to the transom, sealed up well and bonded with 3M Marine adhesive . Now I have room for adjustment and more transducers if needed in the future.

Make sure to line your transducer up between the runners on the bottom otherwise you are asking for a headache ;) ...

Good luck !

Hydro

I epoxied my stern savers with what came in the package. I have two transducers. Just used some sandpaper to rough it up. No paint on my hull. Works great.

Thanks for the replies! I think we will go with the Stern Saver for the mount. There's just something about having a hole that isn't factory supplied below the water line that bothers me. I also like the fact that we can mount another transducer if we want to.

Transducer Mount
 

Get a trolling motor mount. Best picture I have!

I once used a cut off piece of an old kitchen cutting board. Thick enough for mounting screws and looked like the aftermarket ones.

I'm curious how did you attach it to your transom? I ask because I haven't been able to get an epoxy to adhere to any type of poly/plastic.


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If your putting it on a surface drive you should look into these ram mounts. You don't want that transducer way down there when backing up in the mud Attachment 82705Attachment 82706


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Is that the 18" kayak ram mount you used? Also, does it stay in place to use your depth finder while running at speed? Being flexible I wonder if it rides out of the water rendering the depth finder inoperable while running.

Thanks for the answer.

It's not on my boat. I seen it on another forum while looking for a solution to mount on ours.


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