Garmin 545s Transducer Install

[jammingator]

Hi All,

After doing a search on transducer installs and getting a general idea of what many are doing I wanted to ask for help on the install of the transducer for my Garmin 545s. I really do not want to drill any holes and do the transom mount so I'm thinking shoot-thu-hull installation is what I want to do. The older Lowrance sounder already on the boat has the transducer siliconed to the hull.

I could probably fit the Garmin transducer fore or aft of the Lowrance but really the Lowrance is in the most accessible spot for installation. As I understand it I would have to remove the Lowrance transducer, scrape out the old silicone, clean with acetone(?) to prepare the install site. After that, the owner's manual says to sand the glass, build a dam 1/4" high with strip caulk, pour 1/8" of 2 part slow-cure epoxy into the dam, then work transducer in to eliminate air bubbles and weight down to let it set.

That's my plan as of now. Does anyone have an alternate method or any other suggestions before I jump into this? I own a 1975 Sea Craft 20 SF.

Thank you in advance.

[hatterbee]

The directions are pretty acurate. You need to clean the old silicone off and then you do have a little lee-way on how to attach the new ducer. The biggest thing is making sure you get all the air out of the sealant and it will hold up with your boating conditions. You can just silicone the new ducer to the hull if you would like too, but the epoxy would hold a lot better. Building the damn of silicone only allows the epoxy to cure without running inboard toward the keel. You could look at the airmar P79 but the installation is pretty much the same with some added difficulty.

[Glen E]

I'd put the ducer you got on ebay and do it right with a P79 or B60. The 79 will be an easier install and less mess than what you are considering above and the B60 would give the best pic of them all. Mounting a thru hull is the easiest and best way to go. A hole saw and 5200 and you're done.

[jammingator]

Thanks for the recommendations. Though I'd seen several references to the P79, I really hadn't considered using another transducer. I'll start looking into that a little bit and go from there. Looks like I can get one for less than a $100 so that's not too bad.

Glen I like the B60 but don't know if I could do it -- drilling a hole in the bottom of the hull I mean!