XSONIC Airmar B60 (12°)

The XSONIC Airmar B60 (12°) thru-hull transducer is a 600 W depth and temperature sounder designed to measure water depth and temperature. It uses Tilted Element™ technology to optimize the sonar beam orientation, providing accurate readings for navigation and fishing.

The XSONIC Airmar B60 (12°) transducer is dual-frequency and operates at 50 kHz and 200 kHz. The 50 kHz frequency is suited for deeper penetration, while 200 kHz provides more detail in shallower waters.

The XSONIC Airmar B60 (12°) transducer has a transmit power of 600 W, enabling reliable depth readings.

The bronze housing of the B60 depth sounder (12°) is recommended for fiberglass and wood hulls. It must never be installed in a metal hull due to the risk of electrolytic corrosion.

The B60 (12°) transducer is designed for hulls with a deadrise angle between 8° and 15° at the mounting point. Its 12°-angled ceramic element compensates for this angle to produce a vertical sonar beam.

The XSONIC Airmar B60 (12°) transducer is equipped with a 10-metre (33-foot) cable and has a black 9-pin connector.

For optimal performance, the transducer must be mounted in an area where water flow is smooth, with minimal bubbles and turbulence, and where it will remain continuously submerged. Avoid areas near water intakes or discharges, behind strakes, or other hull irregularities. The ideal location varies depending on the boat type:

Displacement powerboats: Midship, near the centerline, starboard side if possible.Planing powerboats: Well aft, on or near the centerline, and inside the first set of strakes.Outboard and Inboard/Outboard (I/O): Just forward of the engine(s).Inboard: Well forward of the propeller and shaft.Sailboats with fin keels: On or near the centerline, and forward of the fin keel (300-600 mm).Long-keel sailboats: Midship and away from the keel.

Proper installation of the B60 transducer (12°) is critical for its performance. The arrow on top of the transducer must point toward the keel or the boat’s centerline. This ensures the angled element inside the transducer aligns with your hull’s deadrise angle, guaranteeing the sonar beam is projected vertically downward.

For installing the B60 transducer (12°), you will need the following tools and materials:

Safety glasses, dust mask, hearing protection. Inclinometer or digital level to measure deadrise. Electric drill (10 mm or larger chuck). 3 mm (1/8") drill bit. Hole saw (see specific size chart for the B60). Sandpaper. Mild detergent or solvent (such as alcohol). Marine sealant (suitable for below the waterline). Cable ties. Water-based antifouling paint (mandatory in saltwater).

Yes, applying a water-based antifouling paint is mandatory in saltwater to protect the transducer from marine organisms. Airmar certifies that using coatings such as Foulfree does not affect the transducer's performance.

Yes, Airmar certifies that applying a Foulfree coating to its transducers does not result in any loss of performance. Foulfree is a non-toxic, durable, and ultra-smooth coating that prevents marine fouling from adhering to the transducer surface, thereby protecting your sonar performance.

Once applied, a 15 ml tube of Foulfree covers approximately 0.09 m² (one square foot), and the treated surface will continue to protect the transducer for up to two years.

Yes, the XSONIC Airmar B60 (12°) transducer is an essential accessory compatible with Lowrance equipment, including sonars, sensors, and transducers.

Several precautions must be taken:

Never pull, carry or hold the transducer by its cable, as this could break internal connections. Do not mount the transducer where the boat could be supported during trailer loading, launching or storage to avoid damaging its face. Never use solvents. Cleaners, fuels, sealants, paints and other products may contain solvents that can damage plastic parts, especially the transducer face.

Yes, the B60 transducer (12°) can be installed on a fiberglass hull with a core. However, this requires specific installation instructions involving the use of fiberglass cloth and resin, or a cylinder, wax, tape, and casting epoxy resin to isolate the hull core from water.

The Tilted Element™ technology allows the ceramic element of the transducer to be tilted at 12° inside the housing. This tilt compensates for the hull’s deadrise angle, ensuring the sonar beam is projected vertically downward. This delivers more reliable depth readings and a clearer sonar image, even at high speeds, without requiring a fairing block.

Yes, the XSONIC Airmar B60 (12°) transducer has an integrated temperature sensor, enabling it to provide accurate water temperature data in addition to depth.

The B60 (12°) transducer has a low profile that protrudes only 5 mm below the hull once installed. This minimizes drag and does not affect the boat’s performance.

To ensure optimal performance, avoid mounting the transducer in the following areas:

In line with or near water intakes or discharges.Behind the planking, fittings, or any other hull irregularities that could disrupt water flow.In areas where the depth sounder beam could be obstructed by the keel or propeller shaft.Near sources of interference such as propellers, shafts, other machinery, other fishfinders, or other cables.