Why utilize an Outrigger Mount
How to get the most from high resolution fishfinders:
The current generation of fish finder systems are getting more sophisticated every day. Transducers are becoming larger and more sensitive. There is also considerable change in technologies with current generation trolling motors. Models such as Terrova, Xi5 and iPilot do not easily allow mounting of transducers.
However, the one thing that is not changing, is the ability of a trolling motor to pinch, rip, stretch, and generally ruin a transducer cable. For example, if you are able to mount a transducer with Xi5, it will either catch the cable in the mechanism, tearing it or potentially spin until the conductors rip. A transducer on trolling motor is just a bad idea!
In addition, the quick movements of a trolling motor mounted transducer tend to ruin imaging from these expensive units. While the image will be eventually be reestablished, a ruined cable will cost you several hundred dollars.
In order to obtain maximum performance from a bow mount transducer, it is extremely beneficial to separate the transducer from the trolling motor. This helps to improve image quality and will also help lower the potential for electrical interference.
Improve Image Quality
Image quality is related to the stability of the transducer. If a transducer is mounted on the trolling motor, small directional changes of the motor result in slurring of the images. The illustration here shows just how much the image may be ruined. A small 5 degree correction of the motor results in the side view distortion of over 2 feet at only 25 feet from the boat.
This image distortion is reduced considerably with the Bow-Ducer Outrigger as all the small angular adjustments of the motor are eliminated. With transducer secured to the boat, the views of fishing structure or depth contours, and baitfish or game fish schools, perpendicular (or any other angle) to the primary direction of boat travel will be more consistently stable and this translates into a more usable image from your system.
Additional Advantages for bow mounting
Mounting a transducer on the bow of a boat, separately from a trolling motor is a solution to issues we fishermen have with the questionable joining of a trolling motor and a high resolution transducer!
The Bow-Ducer Outrigger mount (our new product name) is a solution to all transducer and trolling motor issues. The Bow-Ducer Outrigger mounts to the opposite side of the boat from the trolling motor, yet at the bow. It allows fishermen to separately orient the transducer. Keep cables away from trolling motor pinch points, and generally lower electrical interference picked up by todays sensitive transducers.
Fishing Specialties offers transducer to downrod mounting assemblies for all of todays transducers and the extension of the transducer cables through the downrods to make cable management a breeze.