Selecting The Best Location - Interphase Vista Operation Manual

vessel's hull. Please read the following carefully before
starting the thru-hull installation.
Normally, thru-hull installations are performed by a
professional in a boat haul-out facility. We suggest you seek
professional assistance before attempting to mount this
transducer.

Selecting the Best Location

The best location to mount the thru-hull transducer will vary
with the type of boat. Try to find a location with the smallest
dead rise angle to make installation easiest.
a. On displacement hulls (sailboats, trawlers, etc.) locate
the transducer about 1/3 aft along the waterline. Generally
this provides the best compromise between obtaining
aeration-free water and minimizing propeller noise. The
VISTA's transducer can not see through aerated water and
water near the bow and near the keel can be quite aerated.
Aeration of the transducer can be minimized by keeping the
transducer mounted away from the keel and by not mounting
too far forward. Because the Vista scans horizontally from
side to side, it is also important to find a location where the
beam will not be shaded by the keel. This can often be
accomplished by use of a fairing block to place the transducer
below the keel, or by mounting the transducer forward or
beside but at some distance from the keel.
b. On sailboats, the transducer should be mounted where the
acoustic beam will not be shaded by the keel. A spot forward
of a fin keel is usually best. Try to find an accessible spot
with a minimum dead rise angle.
c. On planing powerboat hulls, the transducer should be
mounted well aft and close to the keel to insure that the
transducer is in contact with the water at higher boat speeds.
On I/O's, transducer mounting close to the
engine usually yields good results.
On inboards always mount the transducer
well ahead of the propeller(s). Turbulence
from props can seriously degrade perform-
ance.
(Thru-hull installation is recommended.)
d. Mount the transducer on the side of the hull where the
propeller is moving downwards. The upward motion of the
propeller generates pressure waves and
pushes bubbles up against the hull.
DO NOT install a bronze transducer housing directly into an
vistman1
page 13
Suggested Thru-Hull
Transducer Locations
Fin Keel
Displacement Hull
13
Planing Hull
Tuesday, July 06, 1999 10:15