Doc. P/N: WSP-009-005
Version: V1.5
Issue Date: October 2013
www.wassp.com
Page 13 of 73
Installation Manual
5.4 Transducer Mounting - General Considerations
The transducer is mounted on the hull below the water line or as a rigid structure attached to the
hull, normally using a permanent sea chest. The transducer must be mounted so that it is aligned
with the fore-aft axis of the vessel. It must also be mounted so that the flat underside of the
transducer is as close to horizontal as possible when the vessel is travelling at survey speed.
If the vessel has a keel, the transducer can be mounted somewhere along the length of it. If it
is mounted on the hull, it should be far enough away from the keel so that the keel will not be
detected within the 120° beam angle. “Figure 4. Through Hull Transducer Mounting” on page
11 shows a sea chest type through-hull mounting designed specifically for a fast moving, alloy
hull boat.
The performance of the system is directly related to the mounting location of the transducer,
especially for high-speed cruising. The installation should be planned in advance, keeping in mind
the fixed cable length of 10 meters and the following factors:
►
Air bubbles and turbulence caused by movement of the vessel seriously degrade the
sounding capability of the transducer. The transducer should be located in a position with the
smoothest water flow.
►
The transducer should not be mounted close to propellers because noise from propellers can
adversely affect the performance of the transducer.
►
Mount the transducer inboard of lifting strakes as these create acoustic noise.
►
The transducer must always remain submerged, even when the boat is rolling, pitching or
planing at high speed.
►
A practical choice would be somewhere between a ⅓ and a ½ of the boat’s length from the
stern. For planing hulls, a practical location is generally towards the rear of the vessel, to
ensure that the transducer is always submerged, regardless of the planing angle.
►
Do not mount another transducer near the WASSP transducer as it is likely to interfere with
the signal received by the WASSP system.
NOTE: The transducer MUST be mounted in the correct orientation.
- There is an arrow on the top of the transducer housing, which must point to the
BOW of the boat.
- The transducer end with the extruding cable must be positioned toward the STERN.
FORWARD
(BOW)
AFT
(STERN)
