How to Route a Transducer Cable Through an Aluminum Hull

Fish finders are good gadgets to have on board your boat, not just for identifying fish but for also spotting underwater logs or rocks that could seriously harm your boat if you crashed into them. Fish finders are generally have three parts: the transducer and transducer cable, the monitor and the power cord, which connects to the battery. The transducer is the component that uses echolocation to identify objects under the water.

Things You'll Need

  • Drill with bits
  • Rubber grommet
  • Plastics ties
  • Duct tape
  • Epoxy
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use a drill to drill a hole where you will drop the transducer cable through. Ideally, this should be next to where you mount the LED screen monitor on a control panel or dash area. Use drill bits designed specifically for sheet metal.

    • 2

      Insert a rubber grommet into the hole drilled for the transducer wire and then run the wire through it. The grommet will secure the transducer cable.

    • 3

      Go underneath and run the transducer cable along the side of the hull, moving toward the bow. Tuck the transducer cable along the corner of the hull as you run it. Secure it with plastic ties. Duct tape can also be used because it will adhere to aluminum just as good as it will to other metals. The bow is an excellent place to mount the transducer because it will not get interference or noise from the engine.

    • 4

      Use a rag to clean the area where you will mount the transducer. Also sand the surface to smooth it out.

    • 5

      Apply epoxy to the body of the transducer and push it firmly against the inside of the hull, toward the bow. Remember to mount the transducer where the water level would be on the outside of the boat. In other words, as close to the front floor as possible.