Another f@*king sounder question- H'bird side scan

[cjbfisher]

Before you say the search button is my friend, I've done that. Didn't find what I was after, although I did find some other interesting stuff that I didn't know I was looking for.
My question relates to the Humminbird side scan transducers. I have a 798ci in the stinkboat, and was thinking of buying a second transducer for the kayak that I am currently building.
For the side scan to work, it will need "contact" with the water right around the sides. The best place that I can see, in the new hull, is the keel area at the rear. My concern is that because the transducer is so wide (approx 70mm), when it is mounted down in the vee of the keel, there will be a significant amount of silicone between the transducer and hull. Maybe 20-25mm.
http://store.humminbird.com/products/31 ... 9_SI_180_T
I don't want to mount it externally, as there really isn't anywhere to put it. Will the amount of silicone between the transducer and hull cause any major loss of function? Has anyone else successfully installed one of these before?

Next part of the question is, can a standard (non side scan) transducer be fitted to this unit? The side scan is good, but not absolutely neccessary. So if fitting a standard transducer in a more appropriate place is a better prospect, I may go down that road.

Over to you, my learned friends.

Cheers,
Chris

[cjbfisher]

C'mon guys,
Surely someone knows something about these things?

[StevenM]

it sort of f@*king works

have one flued into the front of an outback behind the sailing mast bit.

down is no problemo

to the sides sort of runs out of puff get "good" results out to "about" 10 metres max.

you say "I am currently building" so build a big scupper hole with recess to accept the f@*king tranny and all will be apples.

Hows that for an answer.

[cjbfisher]

Hows that for an answer.

Pretty f@*king good.
Thanks

[mangajack]

Presuming you are building a glass yak???
Build a wetbox for it mid ships or build a recess for it in the bottom of the hull so it snugly fits with minimal disturbances.
Why would you not custom build for it if A you have the sounder already and intend to use it and B, you are custom building the yak.

I would not entertain a silicone mount if I was building the yak, totally bodgy for a custom boat.