Why is your side image range so short in the first 2 pictures? Usually the range of 3 times the water depth is a good rule of thumb but I keep mine in the 60 to 70 foot range.
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Seems your option is to tilt the motor as high as possible ...
Or ... Don't worry above the echo showing at 2ft from the xducer ...
I would highly doubt there would be any fish 2ft from your xducer that the echo is covering up ...
Rickie
www.podunkideas.com <--Click here
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https://www.crappie-gills-n-more.com/
https://cornfieldfishinggear.com/
------------------------>> Pro Staff Sonar Advisor
How long is the transducer?
I know people don't like to drill holes into their boat but is it possible to remove the transducer from its current location(appears from your picture that the current mount adds an addition 1" or 2 to the length of the transducer) and hold it by hand directly in front of the motor against the boat and have someone turn the motor to see if the motor interferes with the transducer?
I have a Lss1 transducer mounted in this area( on my boat with no interference with the motor in any way(25hp suzuki).
You could also temporarily mount the transducer to a 1x4 piece of wood and use a "C" clamp to hold the board to the transom and try different areas to see if you can find a spot with no interference.
With the hydrofoil removed and mounting the transducer against the boat maybe this would solve your issue.
I would caution against mounting any transom xducer "too" centered in front of the lower unit ...
The xducer housing itself will create aerated water, that can possibly get into the lower unit water intakes and cause motor overheating issues ...
Rickie
www.podunkideas.com <--Click here
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https://www.crappie-gills-n-more.com/
https://cornfieldfishinggear.com/
------------------------>> Pro Staff Sonar Advisor
I just got off the lake and used my Echomap Plus 73sv for the first time. I have my transducer mounted on the port side, with a trolling motor on the starboard. Between the two is a 30 hp Evinrude, powering a 16 Lund. I normally run the motor in the first tilt slot, rather than all the way down. Being concerned about having tha same problem you experienced, I was hoping my normal running mode would be okay. It was, no darkened area, full view. To say I am amazed with the Garmin is an understatement. I am so glad I went out of my comfort zone and bought the Garmin. Try tilting you motor to that first knotch, see or you boat runs okay, and hopefully your SV will be corrected like mine was.
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