Airmar P48W Owner'S Manual And Installation Instructions Download Page 2

allow 76mm

above 20kn (28MPH), install the bracket with the 4.5° shim, 
taper 

down

 (see Figure 4).

Stepped transom and jet boats

 (3

°

 transom angle) —Use the 9

°

 

shim with the taper 

down

 (see Figure 4). If your boat is capable of 

speeds above 20kn (28MPH), install the bracket with both the 9

°

 

and 4.5

°

 shims, taper 

down

. Install the 4.5

°

 shim against the 

transom after shaving the interfering portion of the rails and lower 
bump. Place the 9

°

 shim and bracket assembly on top.

Small aluminum and fiberglass boats

 (20° transom angle)—

Use the 9° shim with the taper 

up

 (see Figure 4). If your boat is 

capable of speeds above 20kn (28MPH), install the bracket 
with only the 4.5

°

 shim, taper 

up

.

If you are unsure about using the shim(s)

—Experiment with 

the shims by following the instructions “Mounting & Adjusting.”

Mounting & Adjusting

CAUTION

: Do not position the leading edge of the sensor lower 

than the trailing edge because aeration will occur.

CAUTION:

 Do not position the sensor deeper into the water than 

necessary to avoid increasing drag, spray, and water noise and 
reducing boat speed.

1. Apply marine sealant to the threads of two, #10 x 1-1/4", self-

tapping bracket screws to prevent water seepage into the 
transom. 

Be sure the nuts are in the slots in the back of the 

bracket and any shim(s) is in place

 (see Figure 1). Screw the 

sensor to the hull (see Figure 5). 

Do not tighten the screws 

completely at this time.

2. Using a straight edge, sight the underside of the sensor relative to 

the underside of the hull (see Figure 4). The trailing edge of the 
sensor must be 1 – 6mm (1/16 – 1/4") below the leading edge.

3. Using the vertical adjustment space in the bracket slots, slide 

the sensor up or down until the bottom left corner of the sensor 
projections 0 – 3mm (0 – 1/8") below the bottom of the hull (

s

ee 

Figure 3). When you are satisfied with the position of the 
sensor, tighten the two bracket screws.

Mounting Location

CAUTION

: Do not mount in line with or near water intake or 

discharge openings or behind strakes, fittings, or hull irregularities 
that will disturb the water flow.

CAUTION

: Do not mount the sensor where the boat may be 

supported during trailering, launching, hauling, or storage.

• For the best performance, the transducer’s face must be in contact 

with smooth water. To identify an area of “clean” water, observe 
the water flow off the transom while the boat is underway.

• Allow headroom space above the bracket for it to release and 

rotate the sensor upward.

• Mount the sensor as close to the centerline (keel) of the boat as 

possible to ensure the transducer’s face remains in the water 
when the boat is turning.

Single drive boat

—Mount at least 75mm (3") beyond the 

swing radius of the propeller, so the water passing over the 
transducer does not cause a flow disturbance to the propeller 
(see Figure 2). The starboard side where the propeller blades 
are moving downward is preferred.

Twin drive boat

—Mount the sensor between the drives.

Hole Drilling

CAUTION

: To prevent drilling too deeply, wrap masking tape 

around the bit 22mm (7/8") from the point.

NOTE

:

 Fiberglass hull

—Minimize surface cracking by running 

the drill in reverse until the gelcoat is penetrated.

1. At the selected location, position the sensor, so it projects 3mm 

(1/8") below the bottom edge of the transom (see Figure 3).

2.

Being sure the bottom of the sensor is parallel to the waterline

mark the location of the screw holes with an “X” in the center of 
the two outer-most slots.

3. Using a 4mm, #23, or 9/64" drill bit, drill two holes 22mm (7/8") 

deep at the locations indicated.

Compensating for the Transom Angle: Shims

For the best performance, the transducer beam must be aimed 
straight at the bottom. Since the transom of most boats is angled, 
the bracket must compensate for it. Measure the transom angle of 
the boat with an angle finder.

Standard transom

 (13

°

 transom angle)—The bracket is 

designed for a standard 13

°

 transom angle. The 9

°

 shim is 

not

 

needed for this installation. If your boat is capable of speeds 

2

Figure 3. Vertical adjustment and cable routing

50mm (2")

cable cover

hull projection
0–3mm (0–1/8")

parallel to 

cable clamp

waterline

Copyright © 2008 - 2012 Airmar Technology Corp.

(3”) of slack

to adjust

beam angle

screw (2)
location

75mm (3")

minimum beyond

swing radius 

 Figure 2. Mounting location on single drive boat

Copyright © 2008 Airmar Technology Corp.

NOTE

: Starboard 

side of hull where 
propeller blades are 
moving downward is 
preferred.

Summary of Contents for P48W

Page 1: ... s P48W Not recommended for stepped transoms because the transducer will be difficult to adjust Vertically orients sound beam on hull with deadrise angle up to 22 Adjusts to transom angles from 2 22 Requires 89mm 3 1 2 of headroom to install Release bracket protects sensor from frontal impact only P48W Trolling Motor Kit adapts transducer for use with a trolling motor or optional Portable Bracket ...

Page 2: ...at may be supported during trailering launching hauling or storage For the best performance the transducer s face must be in contact with smooth water To identify an area of clean water observe the water flow off the transom while the boat is underway Allow headroom space above the bracket for it to release and rotate the sensor upward Mount the sensor as close to the centerline keel of the boat a...

Page 3: ...e the waterline 1 If a hole must be drilled through the transom choose a location well above the waterline see Figure 3 Check for obstructions such as trim tabs pumps or wiring inside the hull Mark the location with a pencil Drill a hole using the appropriate size bit to accommodate the connector 2 Route the cable over or through the transom 3 On the outside of the hull secure the cable against th...

Page 4: ...ectrical wiring and the engine s Coil any excess cable and secure it in place with cable ties to prevent damage 10 Refer to your echosounder owner s manual to connect the sensor to the instrument Checking for Leaks When the boat is placed in the water immediately check for leaks around the screws and any other holes drilled in the hull Note that very small leaks may not be readily observed Do not ...

Page 5: ... size beam width in both directions 90 12 38 Maximum detection while boat is moving forward Good high speed bottom detection Fish arches are not pronounced or may not be evident Transom Mount Adjusting the Beam NOTE The knob corresponds to the shape and position of the transducer s beam To change the beam s orientation relative to the boat grasp the transducer s knob push down rotate to the desire...

Page 6: ... with sealant 3 Cover the damaged area with electrical tape Severed Cable 1 Slide heat shrink tubing onto the cable 2 Splice each pair of matching colored conductors with rosin core solder 3 Wrap each conductor with insulating tape at the splice 4 Splice the braided shield wire with solder 5 Fill the spliced area in the cable with sealant 6 Cover the damaged area with the heat shrink tubing follow...

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