Transom mounted Transducer location

[surffish]

New member looking for some advice here.  Recently purchased a slightly used 2018 228 with T-Top and 200hp Suzuki.  Boat came equipped from the dealer with Simrad GO7xse head unit and from "the manufacturer" with thru-hull Airmar SS60 transducer.  Problem is, you lose some of the great features from the Simrad unit, like CHIRP, StructureScan/SideScan capabilities so what's the point.  Now I'm looking to mount a TotalScan transducer on the transom to regain those features.  I have the OEM trim tabs on the transom already as well as underwater lights, so need to know what others have had most success with on mounting location without losing contact with bottom while underway?  thanks for any help here.

[Juan]

Welcome to the forum. When you say "OEM trim tabs" does that mean they came mounted from the factory or did a dealer mount them? I ask only because they are mounted a lot closer to the centerline than normally recommended and because of that, the underwater lights and motor turbulence, you may have a hard time finding the ideal location for a transom mounted transducer.

[mosquito13]

Take it out and have some one else drive . Look over transom for clean water coming off . Mount there. I like a transducer on the trolling motor also. Huge if you target tarpon.

[Juan]

Jan 5, 2020 9:31:19 GMT -6 mosquito13 said:

Take it out and have some one else drive . Look over transom for clean water coming off . Mount there.

I'm not sure that's going to work in this case. There should be clean water on the inside of the trim tabs but the lights are there and there might also be an issue with the transducer disturbing the water flow to the prop it it's mounted that close to the boat's centerline (not to mention the transducer could be damaged and will drag the bottom easier if mounted that low) There should be clean water to the outside of each trim tab but if mounted there, the transducer might lift out of the water and won't read when the trim tabs are deployed. Ideally the transducer should be mounted in clean water on the inside of the trim tabs and far enough away from the motor to avoid turbulence. I don't think he's gonna be able to do that with the trim tabs where they are.
If it were mine, I'd stick with the thru-hull.

EDIT: After looking at other 228s, the trim tabs on those are mounted in the same location. I don't know why and I can't see how they can be very effective there since for best performance they should be 3 to 4 inches from the outside chine and those look to be closer to 12- 14 inches

[ed199]

I have the same issue, what did you end up doing?