Transducers: Pucks vs. Skimmers

[Durand Dan]

What are the specific advantages/disadvantages between pucks and skimmers?

[SethV]

I assume you are talking transom mounted.  Typically a "puck" is installed inside the hull and shoots through the hull.  A "skimmer" type is mounted outside the hull in the water.  For high speed applications, a skimmer type does not work well.  It is hard to maintain a 'bubble free' contact with the water.  They also tend to get broken, knocked off.

For my 997si, the SI transducer is a "skimmer type" - you can't install them shoot-thru.  (they do make a thru hull, but it is not an epoxy in type).  I had to mount the SI transducer up out of the main water flow when on pad.  At 70+ mph, the big skimmers tend to no fair well.  SI works best at lower speeds anyway.  When the boat is on pad, I use 2 pucks epoxied in, a lowrance and humminbird.  If you run 2 or 3 transducers side by side, be sure to run different frequencies to avoid interferance.  Intalling a shoot through is easy to do, and IMHO it is the best way to go for most applications.

[fasttrack]

I'm going to be setting up my new 997c SI the same way - puck thru the hull and the SI skimmer above the 'on-plane' water line. Been reading up on it a lot and it seems like the best way to go without too much extra cost. I know some others from this site are doing the same setup too.

[SethV]

I'm going to be setting up my new 997c SI the same way - puck thru the hull and the SI skimmer above the 'on-plane' water line. Been reading up on it a lot and it seems like the best way to go without too much extra cost. I know some others from this site are doing the same setup too.

Works really sweet with the Y cable, no need for an A-B switch, the Humminbird automatically switches transducers when the si transducer is out of the water.

[Durand Dan]

I assume you are talking transom mounted.  Typically a "puck" is installed inside the hull and shoots through the hull.  A "skimmer" type is mounted outside the hull in the water.  For high speed applications, a skimmer type does not work well.  It is hard to maintain a 'bubble free' contact with the water.  They also tend to get broken, knocked off.

For my 997si, the SI transducer is a "skimmer type" - you can't install them shoot-thru.  (they do make a thru hull, but it is not an epoxy in type).  I had to mount the SI transducer up out of the main water flow when on pad.  At 70+ mph, the big skimmers tend to no fair well.  SI works best at lower speeds anyway.  When the boat is on pad, I use 2 pucks epoxied in, a lowrance and humminbird.  If you run 2 or 3 transducers side by side, be sure to run different frequencies to avoid interferance.  Intalling a shoot through is easy to do, and IMHO it is the best way to go for most applications.

I should have added some more info to my question. I have both puck type and skimmer types that mount to my trolling motor. I have used the skimmer type all along. Would the puck have any advantages in that application? I gather from what you stated, probably not.

[Waterfoul]

I assume you are talking transom mounted.  Typically a "puck" is installed inside the hull and shoots through the hull.  A "skimmer" type is mounted outside the hull in the water.  For high speed applications, a skimmer type does not work well.  It is hard to maintain a 'bubble free' contact with the water.  They also tend to get broken, knocked off.

For my 997si, the SI transducer is a "skimmer type" - you can't install them shoot-thru.  (they do make a thru hull, but it is not an epoxy in type).  I had to mount the SI transducer up out of the main water flow when on pad.  At 70+ mph, the big skimmers tend to no fair well.  SI works best at lower speeds anyway.  When the boat is on pad, I use 2 pucks epoxied in, a lowrance and humminbird.  If you run 2 or 3 transducers side by side, be sure to run different frequencies to avoid interferance.  Intalling a shoot through is easy to do, and IMHO it is the best way to go for most applications.

I should have added some more info to my question. I have both puck type and skimmer types that mount to my trolling motor. I have used the skimmer type all along. Would the puck have any advantages in that application? I gather from what you stated, probably not.

I have found that the skimmer type ducers mounted to the trolling motor tend to get busted off if you happen to hit the bottom/stump/etc... when moving around in shallower water.  I've lost 2 of them to this issue and since going to the puck type have had NO issues.

[SethV]

I have found that the skimmer type ducers mounted to the trolling motor tend to get busted off if you happen to hit the bottom/stump/etc... when moving around in shallower water.  I've lost 2 of them to this issue and since going to the puck type have had NO issues.

I have only ever use the puck type on my T/m.  I have broken 1, but overall pretty good.  On my current boat I have the US2 built into my MK101.  That is even better, can't break it off!

[BryanP]

I will add that if you are epoxying a transducer in hull, either a puck or a skimmer will work.  The transducer crystal inside is exactly the same. Only the shape is different.  And I'd definitely run a puck on the trolling motor if possible for the reasons stated by the other guys.

[LennyB]

I've used both types on my trolling motor and they both read the bottom fine. The skimmer type at times may get knocked out of align by hitting something. One advantage I've found with the skimmer type however is that you can deliberately change the angle to locate suspended fish. On St. Clair when the Smallies are chasing balls of shad and you see them breaking the surface for a while and then they go down and your not sure which way they went, you can rotate the skimmer to parallel the surface and then rotate your trolling motor slowly to locate the ball of bait. This is a good way to stay on them when they are moving.

[t-bone]

I've used both types on my trolling motor and they both read the bottom fine. The skimmer type at times may get knocked out of align by hitting something. One advantage I've found with the skimmer type however is that you can deliberately change the angle to locate suspended fish. On St. Clair when the Smallies are chasing balls of shad and you see them breaking the surface for a while and then they go down and your not sure which way they went, you can rotate the skimmer to parallel the surface and then rotate your trolling motor slowly to locate the ball of bait. This is a good way to stay on them when they are moving.

I like it! Poor mans side imaging!