Keel Plate Removal/Replacement

[Ehren]

I have a 2017 FSH Deluxe and I am looking for some advice from folks that have flush mounted their fish finder Transducer on the aluminum Keel Plate.

Has anyone completely removed this plate to facilitate the installation of their Transducer?

Were there any surprises or items to be watchful of?

Were there any specific torque specifications that need to be adhered to when reassembling?

Please feel free to share any pics you have related to this post...

 

[Grover70]

Hey there.
I tried two different ways before settling on this. I've included my post. So far, it works great and no drilling below the water line.
https://jetboaters.net/threads/fsh-transducer-placement.12872/#post-234482

 

[Ehren]

Hey there.
I tried two different ways before settling on this. I've included my post. So far, it works great and no drilling below the water line.
https://jetboaters.net/threads/fsh-transducer-placement.12872/#post-234482

Thanks for the feedback. Happy to hear that the solution is still working well for you... I do like the ride plate mount option, would really like yo avoid the additional holes in the hull...

 

[Liveto99]

Was there nuts on the bolts holding the plate on? I have a 2018 FSH21 and there is no nut on the bolts, do they just hold in the fiberglass?

 

[Corey]

I installed my transducer the same as Grover70. I took his idea and got a piece of starboard 1" thick. I cut it to the same dimensions as my transducer. I drilled a hole in the starboard to feed the transducer wire through and then aligned it on the keel plate and marked where the wire hole was on the keel plate and drilled a hole for the transducer wire to go through. I then fished the wire up the drain port (see pic) and then fed it through a hole I drilled next to the cleanout plug port (see pic). I attached the starboard to the keel plate with 4200 and also drilled in two (2) stainless steel bolt holes to add additional strength. Attached the transducer to the starboard using a 2-part marine epoxy (mix and spread). Never had to remove the keel plate for the install. The readings are perfect...have never lost depth signal at speed (no more depth flash). Best location if you ask me!! (Thanks Grover70!!). Also added an underwater LED and Fusion stereo while I was at it!!

 

[Foobar]

Was there nuts on the bolts holding the plate on? I have a 2018 FSH21 and there is no nut on the bolts, do they just hold in the fiberglass?View attachment 71487

I removed one of mine to install a raw water intake. The bolts just come out. There are threaded inserts molded into the fiberglass. I simply put 3M 4000 back on the bolts when I put them back in. I also left the black gunk stuff in place.

 

[swifty_210FSH]

I installed my transducer the same as Grover70. I took his idea and got a piece of starboard 1" thick. I cut it to the same dimensions as my transducer. I drilled a hole in the starboard to feed the transducer wire through and then aligned it on the keel plate and marked where the wire hole was on the keel plate and drilled a hole for the transducer wire to go through. I then fished the wire up the drain port (see pic) and then fed it through a hole I drilled next to the cleanout plug port (see pic). I attached the starboard to the keel plate with 4200 and also drilled in two (2) stainless steel bolt holes to add additional strength. Attached the transducer to the starboard using a 2-part marine epoxy (mix and spread). Never had to remove the keel plate for the install. The readings are perfect...have never lost depth signal at speed (no more depth flash). Best location if you ask me!!View attachment 71606 View attachment 71607 View attachment 71608 View attachment 71609 View attachment 71610 View attachment 71611 (Thanks Grover70!!). Also added an underwater LED and Fusion stereo while I was at it!!

I'm not sure what kind of transducer that is but it looks like it does sidescan. If so, how does it perform with the strake right there beside it? Your install looks good BTW.

 

[Augieol65]

I removed one of mine to install a raw water intake. The bolts just come out. There are threaded inserts molded into the fiberglass. I simply put 3M 4000 back on the bolts when I put them back in. I also left the black gunk stuff in place.

Hey boss any photos of this raw water intake?

 

[Foobar]

Hey boss any photos of this raw water intake?

I have a video I will be putting together. Just have not done it yet.

 

[Augieol65]

I have a video I will be putting together. Just have not done it yet.

Awesome love your videos look forward to it!

 

[Corey]

I'm not sure what kind of transducer that is but it looks like it does sidescan. If so, how does it perform with the strake right there beside it? Your install looks good BTW.

No I do not have side scan. Thank you, yes I am very pleased with install and the reading from this location....plus it's out of the way...initially had it off the back transom with a stern mate and had bad readings and everyone swimming tried to use it as a step to get in the boat...had to go from that location!