B260 keel install

[Mark Redmon]

Has anyone installed a B260 ducer in the keel?  My installer recommends this location during hull construction (versus a fairing install), but he warns of a risk to hull integrity if performed after the hull is laid.  
The B260 is signficantly more sensitive than a B164 (flush mount/tilted sensor) and has almost no hull risk.  Any advice?

[gran398]

Mark,
Noticed a lot of folk have cked. your post, just as I have, but am a bit confused. What kind of boat? And a keel...what kind of keel? Normal transducer install for best performance is thru-hull, AWAY from the keel, but close as possible to the deepest part of the bilge at the stern. And making sure the sender itself views clean water, even at high speed, without any disturbance/interference from forward livewell/washdown clamshell pickups, etc.

You will need an angled mount internally so that the 'ducer shoots straight down.

I've had satisfactory success transom mounting, tweaking the face of the sender upward so doesn't pick up air.

Best,
G3

[Mark Redmon]

Thanks for the info G3.  My boat is a 2005 275 Explorer.  My installer recommends a keel mount with the ducer cut into the keel.  I don't want to remove keel material to make the ducer flush with the keel...that would mean removing 5" vertically.
Using a fairing is an option, although at 22" long, the fairing might affect slow speed handling.
I would use an SS264 pair to achieve the same performance as a B260, but it's nearly twice the price...$1400 for the pair versus $800 for a B260.
Plan C is to take some sensitivity loss and just go with the flush B164.

[gran398]

Gotcha. Guess it depends on how/where you'll most use it.

For deepwater bottom fishing/jigging, you may want that extra sensitivity.

Otherwise, plan C should be fine, IMHO.