Put in a HawkEye last year, cut the dash, ran the wiring, but cannot get it to shoot through the hull. (Did use the vaseline and baggie full of water methods). Only got a hit once..... so I figure the transducer does not have the wattage. Works perfectly if I lower it over the side of the boat.

So I either need a more powerful transducer, or a whole new package. Can anybody reccomend a simple round gauge (can't remember the size - 2.5" maybe?) that has the oomph to shoot through the hull?

I am NOT going to hang something off the transom if I don't need to. Lol

I had a similar issue with my hawkeye mine was made to use through hull up to 60 mph. I tested it three times with vaseline and it worked marginal unless I hung it over the side. The solution for me was to sand off the white coating on the bottom of my hull right behind my bilge pump and take it to bare fiberglass, then epoxy it in and it works excellent. I was very nervous about doing it simply because of the work involved in getting to the spot to sand it. I also made sure the pointy end "front" of the transducer was about 1/4 inch lower to make up for the bow lift. I can get a few high quality pictures for you tomorrow if that would help I have to do some digging in my engine compartment anyway. The most difficult thing for me was being confident in a good level mounting position since I could only see it from either the port of stb side and not directly on top to be sure it was even and not leaning more to one side. Deff worth the time though to keep the transom clean.

A picture would be great, thanks. I sanded mine lightly in the bilge pump area, but still no good indications. But because I've already got the gauge installed, wires hooked up, and transducer fished to the bilge area, it would be nice to use the HawkEye if possible.

Prior to epoxying it, were you able to get a reading in the sanded location using vaseline or water? Also, when you say level, are you talking the area a few inches aft of the bilge pump? Looking at the bottom of the hull, there is a flat area about 4-5" wide from the transom, and it goes forward a few feet until it blends into the V. Is this the area that worked for you? In my photo you can see where I'd cleaned it, up from the bilge pump. Of course, that would be on the V and give slightly inaccurate soundings.

Attached a picture of my transducer also, does it look similar to yours?

Thanks!, J

That spot is no good since the hull is at an angle it needs to be mounted on the very bottom just aft of the Bilge pump in that little low spot under the black hose in the picture yea the 4-5" flat spot. The first time I sanded mine it looked like yours with white still left and I got bad readings the more I sanded and the smoother it was the better the readings got with vaseline. What I had to do was use a chisel and chip back all the white coating until it is bare brown fiberglass then sand that smooth and clean it with alcohol. That is the same transducer I have so it should work fine i get fast readings all the way up to 64 and the low depth alarm works good too. I will get a picture this afternoon it is pouring rain outside right now.

I just went threw this process myself,, the transducer needs to be near the rear area the best you can... that spot you picked out will not work...

also dampen your bilge area.. spread powdered laundry "tide in a box" detergent all in the bilge area,, let it sit hour or so.. then hose it out .. get that bilge area shining white.

Gonna try the area you suggested. Had to take the alternator out just to gain access for sanding. We'll see how it goes...

It just stopped raining here so I will get that picture of my setup today to give you a better idea. Try using a chisel to take off the white paint before you sand it worked well for me.

Dropped her in yesterday with the transducer duct taped and Vaselined in place. Seemed to work like a charm, even at speed. Epoxied it in last night. Hopefully it works well.

Yea glad that spot worked I knew it would it worked great on my H2X! Sorry I never got that picture up like I said the shop came to get the boat early I am having all kinds of trouble with my motor!