Hi
Does anyone know off hand if there is anywhere to mount a small hull transducer in a 26X so that it only ‘looks’ through one layer of grp as opposed to 2 layers and the water ballast?
I don’t want to go drilling.......
I am away from my Mac and reliable broadband so unable to research.
thanks advance
stu
I don't think there is anywhere 'thin' on a mac. Transducers are normally mounted on the transom. I would think hard about introducing a below the waterline hole in the hull - especially in a MAC that has a dry bilge as it has no hole below the waterline to leak. We have two transducers on our MAC 26M - a Ray marine depth finder and paddle wheel log to starboard of the motor mount and a Ray marine Dragonfly Pro with down vision SONAR and depth sounder. The advantage of a transom mount is that they are relatively easy to keep clean and so reliable without the need for any below waterline holes.
Mike & Dot - Tarka 26M
Actually a shine through the hull depth works quite well. Ive had one for 11cyrs as recommended by the macgregor agent when i bought it new. He advised just aft of the separation that marks the rear bilge but outside of the ballast fill tibe . There is an area which is rrlativevely flat and to which i bonded the transducer with epoxy taking care to avoid bubbles. Clearly it will be affected by heal of vessel but i find its ok since depth of dagger board also affected. . I mounted a transome depth sonar with wheel that links to my garmin as a backup but its always getting crusted up.
Roly
The S models have one bonded inside the aft lazarette.
Leigh Ross
Crieff
0777 558-4561
1990 MacGregor 26S Ptarmigan
1992 MacGregor 26S Pelican
I mounted an airmar ‘shine through’ in the access panel in the floor under the table in my Mac 26x. Works fine. I wanted it as far forward as possible on a relatively flat surface. Bear in mind that (as I found out) if you mount a transom sounder or log, it gets mullered if you beach. I like to do this when the opportunity arises. My log still has to be transom mounted but I unclip it before beaching (if I remember).
I spoke to Bill Millar (a name from the past) some time ago when wondering what to do on my X. At his suggestion I tried mounting as low down as possible under the cooler box. It worked fine (or at least it did - I currently have a problem with it - another job to do!). So long as (I think Roly?) suggested, you make sure there are no bubbles in the mounting silicone should be fine. From memory and I would need to check, it is alongside the ballast tank on the hull itself.
Rod Wassell
Pilchard
If you want to do a trial run: silicone a piece of plastic pipe (40mm waste pipe worked for me) in place on the GRP then fill it with water and submerge the transducer. Water or oil work pretty well but oil will contaminate your bilge. I was glad I did as I got erratic readings on one tack from the first position I tried. Caused, I think, by turbulence from the centre board casing slot. I moved it another 100mm away from the keel line and got stable results. (I only remembered to epoxy it in place finally when it dried out and started giving flaky readings again).
Dave.
Dave Newton Sailbadthesinner
With the Airmar, you sikaflex it’s collar (which is angled to match your hull to achieve level) to the inner hull. I then fill it with antifreeze. If it’s sealed properly it shouldn’t leak anyway but antifreeze is slightly less offensive than oil in yer bilges.
I find that with the transducer fitted under the cooler box it works well when boat is in displacement mode but when boat on plane the transducer comes out of the water. Have purchased 2nd transducer to fit near to transom, need to place it in poly bag of water and with wife driving boat on plane find an appropriate place that gives a good signal.
Avocet 26X