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Originally Posted by LTBOLTMAN  I agree with you, the B260 is "agressive" and Airmar even states it's typically for hulls 26' and above, but IMO, I think they just didn't want to promote it for smaller hull lengths because install issues could be problematic and Airmar didn't want to deal with that...I'm happy with the B260 set-up I have and its worked out good for my 18', but I can see the installation advantages being an offset to performance variations with the tilted ducer....are we answering his question?  |
I agree that they may not market it to the small boat crowd partially due to the possible mounting issues. Also the reality is that most people in "smaller" boats are not that dedicated and would not spend the $$ for the quality xducer that the 260 is. Certainly don't get me wrong. I am a big fan of the 260. Until you step up to 2kW or more then IMO it is the best choice if cost (or mounting) is not an issue. As far as the difference in the mounting offsetting the transducer quality maybe a little. The quality of the crystals and the effect of using separate crystals for the different frequencies in the 260 blows away the lesser B60 by quite a bit. Even if you use a M260 in most hulls it will still blow away the B60.
There was a question??
After a little more reading the B60 comes in 12 or 20 degree tilt. Looks like the B117, P319 and the SS555 all share the same crystal as the B60 but those three do not have any tilt to the element. There is a stainless B60 so if you need the tilt then there is the stainless option. With the Bayrunner IIRC it is 9 degrees deadrise at the transom so looks like a 12 degree B60 would be the closest fit. The cone angle for the B60 family is 12 degrees at 200 kHz and 45 @ 50 kHz so you COULD get away with maybe 2 degrees from straight up and down and still do OK. You could also shim it with a thin angled washer and correct any angle but getting it perfectly straight up and down is somewhat mute when you consider any rock and roll the boat is doing on the water and any list the boat has due to load. Being somewhat of a perfectionist I might try to shim it since it is more than 2 degrees off. If you do want to try that drop me a PM. I work with plastics and could cut you some shims to try. Of course the furrther forwar it is mounted then the closer to 12 degrees it will be so it may be perfect depending on where it ends up fore/aft.
Certainly depends on what kind of performance your willing to pay for but being an aluminum hull does restrict your options somewhat and/or increases the cost. The next step up in the flush mount is the B164 which is available in stainless. It is certainly better than the B60 but is considerably larger and costlier. All that said until you step up to 1kW fishfinder I think you will be happy with the B60. All the B60 varients are available with the temp sensor. If you want better then spend the money and go with the stainless B164. Here is a link to the Airmar cross reference:
AIRMAR Cross-Reference Interface
You can cross reference the Furuno numbers with thier Airmar numbers.
Linear Mode
