bertram31.com

The screen on my old Garmin on my B20 is unreadable. I wanted to get a new FF last spring, but COVID, and when I could go to stores to try them out I found that almost nothing was in stock. The Annapolis/KI boat show is this weekend, and I'm planning on getting a new FF for the B20.

I fish in the Chesapeake where I don't need to see anything deep at all. The deepest it gets here is 100 feet plus, and if the fish aren't higher than that they aren't eating. So, I just need something simple and basic. I also have to have either a shoot-thru like I currently have or a thru-hull 'ducer. A transom mount just doesn't work well on my 20. I have Simrad 7s in the B31 that I really like that I got in about 2014 and still work fine.

Suggestions?

John,

I think all the major brands make a good FF for down scan. My opinion is to re-think the transom mounted transducer, the last few years I've enjoyed having the side scan on the simrad Go series. It is almost like cheating to go down the side of a drop off using the side scan to watch the edge and to be able to cast in the right spots. It helps finding pods in open water too these fish didn't show up on bottom scan - we doubled up on 2 30#+ bass
https://photos.app.goo.gl/7a3XHhPtcfPb8MeX7

here's a photo when I was on my buddy's boat 9" simrad - nice to be able to see all the views at once
https://photos.app.goo.gl/yCdWWy4S1fDVG5Mw5

I'd really like side scan. I just couldn't find a place to mount the transom mount where it held bottom at anything above planing speed. The B20 has lots of strakes that are close together. The shoot thru holds up to 30 knts consistently. I'm going to see if I can get a shoot thru/thu hull and side scan combo 'ducer package

If anybody has found a location on a B20 transom that works for a transom mount, please let me know

I have a Furuno TZT 9 with desk top mount, power cord, all manuals, excellent condition, you will need a antenna (330B) and compatible transducer. Make me a “reasonable” offer it’s yours. Just installed TZtouch3 12F, and DRS4D-NXT Radar. EarleyBird

John,

My Hiliner 222 gypsy was a Ray Hunt designed hull - some say an improved version of the B20 as it was designed a couple of years after our Bertrams, I installed the transducer on the starboard side just inside the first lifting strake, It would hold bottom cleanly to 30kts. Side scan was only good for sub 7kts.

The Simrad GO9 is excellent and below $1600. I installed it on my boat and the images and detail are awesome. It does come with a transom transducer but you could always get an Airmar transducer inside the hull.