Anyone using the Airmar M260 in hull transducer?

[sharktales]

Have CC25 Iam thinking of installing Furunos new 585 finder with Airmars M260 in hull transducer. Just wondering if anyone else is using this transducer in a 25 or any other CC & how the performance is? And where is a good location to install it? Thanks Charlie

[sharktales]

All the Carolina Classic owners on here & no one is using the M260? Come on help me out here. I'm planning install shortly I'd really like to here from some people that are using it. I don't like to beg but PLEASE!!! Thanks Charlie

[sharktales]

Is there any other Carolina Classic owners on here???

[Split Decision]

I don't have the 260 but that is as good as it gets without going overboard. I think the next step up is the 199 but is most likely to large for a 25. IMO I would never use a shoot through ducer. Some people say you don't loose much but if I am going to pay that much for a bottom machine I want it to work as good as it can without any loss.

I have the simrad combi ducer which is about the best you can get and recessed it into the hull. I looked for my install pics but must have been lost with the hack job.

Here is a link on the 25.

http://www.carolinaclassicboatowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=883

Found it. It was just hiding.

http://www.carolinaclassicboatowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=504

[sharktales]

Thanks Tom, WOW! I can't beleive the hull is 1 3/4 thick I didn't think it was that thick. That might be a little much for a shoot thru I might have to check into this a little more. I might call Mac & Airmar to see if they have any experience with it. I really like the way you recessed yours into the hull wich might be a better alternative & still won't affect me trailering wich was my big concern. Yours looks like it was quite a project but well worth it I'm sure. I was hoping for a little easier install but may not be worth the sacrifice. Thanks again Charlie

[Split Decision]

It's that thick on a 32, not a 25 but i'm sure it's about 1-1 1/4.

[finhunter]

I use the 260 shoot through with a furuno Navnet and it works good to
700 feet..

[Tswann]

With solid glass bottom boats you will lose 3 to 5% efficicency on the transducers that shoot through the hull. On a 1kw ducer that, in my opinion, is nothing. We prefer shoot through for ease of maintenance (or lack thereof) and absence of any additional hull penetrations. Of course a temp probe (or temp/water speeed) will still need to installed.

On the 32s and 35s the optimum placement site for a through hull is all the way back at the transom right on the 'V'. The glass is monster thick there and can be ground down so the transducer is nearly flush and can be 'faired' into the hull. On the 28's and 25's transom mount or wet box (shoot through) is the way to go. The 32/35 wet box placement should be between the stringers in front of the batteries.

About the only install config that we routinely see problems with is through hull installs that use 'high speed' fairing blocks. Problems range from poor read ability, cruise speed loss to running attitude changes. And recently I have seen one that is (or was until we fixed it) causing engine overheat on a 28!!!

The best advice is call and talk to Mac or Keith for verification of your install choice. If you are having a boat built, they will install your 'ducer at the factory for you - just get it to them will they are in process!!! They have seen it all and then some and they are the best source of information on what has worked, will work and won't work.

[rich]

TSWANN - do you have a recomendation for a wet box location on the 28?

Thanks

[Tswann]

Mac has been advising us to place them in the engine room just in front of the battery box between the stringers. Of course you will need to offset the box just a bit to leave a path to one side or the other for water to flow around it.

[jeannieb]

I have the CC25 (straight inboard). Mac advised against using a through hull on the 25 due to potential prop cavitation if mounted aft of the engine space (the best location for the xducer's performance).

Mac recomended the Airmar (installed w/wet box, starboard side adjacent to shaft bearing). Mac and Airmar both have said that the loss loss on a 1KW unit is minimal. For now, I'm using a transome mount for my Furuno 582. It's less than ideal and I lose reception in a left turn...but it's also a lot less than the $600 for the Airmar unit which, I've been told, may still lose reception at cruise. Still, it's on my wish list.

Please let us now how it works if you go that route.

Steve