Helix Si transducer mounting location

Hello guys, I'm getting frustrated as I just cant seem to get the correct reading on my side imaging or down imaging with the current transducer mount location. When I first installed it the ducer it seemed I was able to get pretty good readings but now it's so sporadic I never know. The last time I was on the water the left side reading would go out, then the right side reading would go out. Down imaging view looked horrible, real black screen with lines throughout the screen. The 2d image seemed to look fine which confuses me.
I'm pretty sure the current location is too low in the water. I had to lock the ducer down to keep it from popping up on me. High speed depth readings are in and out. At this point I'm not really concerned about high speed readings at all, just want the imaging to work correctly. If I move the ducer any further down toward the drain holes and plug its definitely gonna be too low in the water under the boat striking everything. Does this bottom of the ducer have to be mounted below level of the boat to get readings? I'm willing to get y adapter and through hull transducer for anything high speed.
Do you guys recommend I get one of those stern saver transducer mounts or something similar to keep from drilling a bunch of holes? One more issue I'm having is when I installed the ducer I used 3m 5200 which is awesome for leak protection however now I can't get the darn screws to MOVE to remove the ducer, any recommendations to get the thing off? If I have to I can buy another mounting bracket if it comes to having to break this one to get it off. Sorry for all the questions, look for any help I can get. Thanks

2nd pic looks like it's too low. I read in the instructions that an SI 'ducer won't work for thru-hull applications. I'm not worried about high speed readouts either.

If it was me... I would see if it would fit right beside the drain plug. That's about where I have a big Lowrance lss2 mounted on my boat and it does great. About to mount my new mega transducer in about the same spot on my boat, on a spring back bracket from transducer shield and saver. However... I don't fish a lot of shallow water/stumps. But, being in the middle/center kind of would help because most things you would encounter would be deflected away from center.

If you didn't want to or couldn't use that spot, an option might be to move it down that direction on the step, but you would have to cut the bunk board so that it would not extend past the pad of your boat. Is the pad under the boat smooth behind where it is mounted now? Not right in line with any ribs on the pad? It looks like you should be able to make that spot work for imaging..... not so much for high speed readings though. What speed are you moving when looking at side imaging and such? Installed l latest updates?

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Originally Posted by nccater

2nd pic looks like it's too low. I read in the instructions that an SI 'ducer won't work for thru-hull applications. I'm not worried about high speed readouts either.

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Thru the Hull would be just for 2d readings.

I had thought about moving it toward the drain hole, I'll have too look but I don't think I would have enough room to mount that low unless there was a good bit of the ducer below the boat. I think it would stick lower below the boat then in the current location. The pad is smooth behind the current location, I'm really hoping that spot will work if I just move the ducer up some? Like I said I used to get pretty good readings but lately its went crazy. I try to stay between 2-5mph when trying to get side imaging readings and I have not did any updates. Thanks for all your input.

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Originally Posted by akaslyguy

If it was me... I would see if it would fit right beside the drain plug. That's about where I have a big Lowrance lss2 mounted on my boat and it does great. About to mount my new mega transducer in about the same spot on my boat, on a spring back bracket from transducer shield and saver. However... I don't fish a lot of shallow water/stumps. But, being in the middle/center kind of would help because most things you would encounter would be deflected away from center.

If you didn't want to or couldn't use that spot, an option might be to move it down that direction on the step, but you would have to cut the bunk board so that it would not extend past the pad of your boat. Is the pad under the boat smooth behind where it is mounted now? Not right in line with any ribs on the pad? It looks like you should be able to make that spot work for imaging..... not so much for high speed readings though. What speed are you moving when looking at side imaging and such? Installed l latest updates?

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There is the option of mounting the SI xducer to the hole shot plate on the bottom of your jackplate ...

Then use the AS SIDBY Cable and a 2d xducer for high speed readings (either transom mounted 2d where your current SI xducer is or shoot thru in the bilge) ...
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If it is desired to transom mount the SI xducer HB recommends this ...
http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psglu0iyls.png

Rickie

BTW ... If you decide to do the jackplate mount and an additional 2d xducer transom mounted - that same black plastic mount bracket (that you glued with 5200) will work with the XNT 9 20 transom mount 2d xducer ...
http://www.humminbird.com/Products/XNT-9-20/

Rickie

Try adjusting it as shown in the pic Rickie posted. Take some screen shots on your Helix when you are testing and post them so that we can see what you are seeing.

Thanks guys, will try it out and see what happens.