I am in the process of updating the electronics package on my new to me 2000 45 Express. There are two existing trandsducers in the hull. The forward one is roughly 8" square, and the current chirp models are appox 14 x 8. Does anyone have any thoughts or tips on modifying the pocket to fit the new one? thanks for the help! Mike
What do you mean pocket transducer? The 45's didn't have a pocket in the hull. Electronics compnies had a tear drop wedge generally that was mounted onto the hull by whatever electronics company installed the transducer.
I took photos of the forward transducer after removing the frame and seal, but not sure if there is a way to upload them here? ( sorry I'm new ) The after transducer is smaller an not disturbed. I had thought it was done at the factory, but maybe was done after the fact. I don't have any experience with them. I guess I can talk to a fiberglass guy to see if feasible to modify to fit the new one, or seal it back in and abandon it in place and use a traditional thru hull version. Any help or comments are appreciated! thanks
In the inside of the hull, just a "conventional" looking bronze thru hull with nut, and the cable coming through it.
I am leaning towards abandoning this one in place and installing a new Airmar CM 509 LHW with fairing block. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on the best place to mount? thank you!
Talk to Hi-Seas electronics in Fort Lauderdale, they did A LOT of transducers on 45' cabo's. I would guess they did at least 50% of the electronics packages on Cabo's during that time period. I believe they usually mounted the fairing block ones just in front of the starboard motor, but verify. I ran 2005 with an inside hull one they did that worked pretty well and the box/transducer was in the lazarette and worked pretty well. I'm sure with the new transducers and chirp technology even better.
Cabo, and many others, originally located a plug for the transducer in the Hull Mold and laminated "around" it. If the old transducer is 8" long x 8" wide and the new one is 14" long x 8" long, I would have the yard enlarge the flush opening to fit the new transducer. Once the opening is cut, they can make a plug and laminate the 6" longer section to much the current bottom laminate, the install will look OEM and the risk is minimal.