www.iFourWinns.com

I am looking at buying a GARMIN GPSMAP 546s Chartplotter for my Horizon. I was wondering though if there are any transducers that do not involve any drilling to install, but will still give me the fool capabilities of this unit? I have searched the net but most of them I see involve drilling, and the ones that do not, I cannot figure out if they are compatible with this unit or not. Thanks!

See my response to this older thread. I just used a handheld GPS mount to hold my transducer without having to drill any holes.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7117

"I didn't want to drill any mounting holes in my boat's hull, so I mounted the skimmer/transducer unit on the M68 to a suction GPS mount. I had to do a little trimming of the bracket to get it to fit just right, but as you can see, it worked well and saved drilling holes into the transom and/or having to leave the unit with the boat when I sold it. It held great and only fell off one-time while underway. I tied a lanyard on just in case."

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http://youtu.be/-4ckF7u1iNk
2003 PowerQuest 260 Legend SX
2014 Lund WC 14

2007 H210 Volvo 5.7 Gi/SX (sold in 2012)
2007 H180 Volvo 3.0 (sold in 2009)

They make in-hull transducers but I know it would not work on my 268 as it has an inner bilge liner. Drilling a few holes is really not a big deal as long as you seal them properly.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

There are a couple of ways to to this, one is just drill the holes, and carefully seal them with BoatLife below the waterline sealer. I have done this and every 2-3 years I re-bed the screws, no problems so far. The other way I have heard people doing this is to take a small piece of starboard and cut it to shape so it's big enough to mount the transducer to it. Then after carefully measuring, you could epoxy the piece of starboard to the transom, right where the transducer should be mounted. Then you put the screws into the starboard (the thickness of the starboard and transducer mount have to be more than the length of the screws, or use shorter screws). That way you don't have any holes in the transom.....You could also take a piece of 1/2" plywood, cut it to size, coat it with epoxy, paint it to match the hull color and use that. Probably cheaper than starboard and holds screws well.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I installed a Garmin depth sounder / fish finder in our 2005 V268. Model P79 transducer, GSD 22 Sounder Module. It came with a flange which I glued to the inside of the hull right next to the forward bilge pump. Fill the flange with mineral oil and mount the transducer. It shoots right through the hull and has been working fine for several years.

It was first hooked up to a 2010C, and now to a 4212. Had to upgrade the sounder module when we went to the 4212.

I called FW and talked to one of the engineers first about where I located the transducer and he said it should work fine there.

9BALL

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2005 V268

Interesting as I was told it wouldn't. Oh well, at least I have water temp with a transom mounted 'ducer.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

I installed my 546s and put the transducer on the transom. Drilling was easy and sealed up with 4200 and no leaks. On the iPad, but search my posts and I think I have some pics. Water temp, depth, speed all function great as does the sounder.

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2010 Sea Hunt Triton 220 "Big Whiskey"
2003 FW Freedom 180 Volvo Penta 4.3GL/SX-M "It'll Do Four Now" (Sold)
2012 Avalanche LTZ 4X4

9BALL - I am glad you mentioned that. I have been researching into the in-hull transducers and that is the way I am leaning. I like some of the ideas some of the guys have posted, but I think I am going to try the in-hull first before drilling any holes. I was looking in my boat and I don't see any problems why it wouldnt work other then I won't have an accurate water temp. reading but that is no biggy. Does anyone else have any experience with the in-hull transducers? Thanks!

Also, has anyone used the location of the factory depth finder transducer? I was looking at the one in my boat and was wondering if that would be possible?

Anyone?

I mounted my Garmin transducer right next to the factory installed speed transducer. I even ran the Garmin cable to the same height figuring the factory had selected a safe height.

I do not have a pic, but will take one when I grab the boat tonight or tomorrow.

Honestly, it is 3 holes to drill. The two lower are short in depth and not all the way through. Drill, put some 4200 on the screws and back of transducer and mount. It will be locked on solid. The upper hole ( for the cable) is a bigger hole, but Garmin gives you a nice little cover that holds the wire and fills the hole. Again, fill the hole with 4200 and even let it squeeze some out and clean it up. After it is dry, put some more up in the little black bracket. It will be dry and look good.

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2010 Sea Hunt Triton 220 "Big Whiskey"
2003 FW Freedom 180 Volvo Penta 4.3GL/SX-M "It'll Do Four Now" (Sold)
2012 Avalanche LTZ 4X4

As far as mounting the transducer, the transom is 1" to 1 1/2" think depending on the boat. The bottom of the boat is even thicker, so basicly you will never go though if you mount it right & use 4000 or 4200.

Paul is right. I think I measured the screws and put some blue tape on my drill bit that I ran the pilot hole with. The Garmin directions (and template) make it easy.

The hard part is putting that drill bit to your gel coat. I put the blue painters tape over the area, mark the spot with my pencil and then run the drill in reverse a bit to get it started and you are good to go.

4200 comes in a big tube and they say it will not hold. An experienced boater friend who re-rigs boats all the times told me the first time I had it to keep it in the freezer. So use what you need, close it up and put it in the freezer. Just let it warm up when you need it the next time.

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2010 Sea Hunt Triton 220 "Big Whiskey"
2003 FW Freedom 180 Volvo Penta 4.3GL/SX-M "It'll Do Four Now" (Sold)
2012 Avalanche LTZ 4X4

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2010 Sea Hunt Triton 220 "Big Whiskey"
2003 FW Freedom 180 Volvo Penta 4.3GL/SX-M "It'll Do Four Now" (Sold)
2012 Avalanche LTZ 4X4