XSONIC Airmar B60 (0°) (1.8 m BoatBuilder)

The XSONIC Airmar B60 (0°) depth sounder is a bronze through-hull transducer with 600 W power. It is designed to measure water depth and temperature. It operates on two frequencies, 50 kHz and 200 kHz, and features a 0° tilted element (Tilted Element™) to compensate for the hull’s deadrise angle.

The B60 transducer uses dual frequencies:

50 kHz: Provides a wide 45° beam with a maximum range of 353 m (1,200 ft). 200 kHz: Delivers a narrow 12° beam with a maximum range of 206 m (700 ft) for improved resolution in shallower waters.

The XSONIC Airmar B60 transducer can accurately measure water depth and water temperature.

The Airmar B60 transducer has a bronze housing. This material is specifically recommended for fiberglass or wooden hulls. It must never be installed on a metal hull due to the risk of electrolytic corrosion.

The XSONIC Airmar B60 (0°) transducer is designed for boats with a hull deadrise angle between 0° and 7° at the mounting point. The ceramic element is pre-set to direct the sonar beam straight down without requiring a fairing block.

The XSONIC Airmar B60 transducer is equipped with a 9-pin black connector.

The XSONIC Airmar B60 transducer is supplied with a 1.8-metre (6-foot) cable.

No, the Airmar B60 is a traditional dual-frequency transducer (50/200 kHz) and is not a CHIRP model. CHIRP transducers are specific models that generate more heat and have different installation requirements.

For installing the B60 transducer, you will need the following tools and materials:

Safety glasses, dust mask, and hearing protection.Angle finder or digital level to measure deadrise.An electric drill with a 10 mm (3/8") or larger chuck.A 3 mm (1/8") drill bit.A 60 mm (2-3/8") hole saw for the outer hull hole.For sandwich fiberglass hulls, an 80 mm (3-1/8") hole saw for the inner hull.Sandpaper.Mild household detergent or a weak solvent (such as alcohol).Marine sealant suitable for below the waterline.Hose clamps.Water-based antifouling paint (mandatory in saltwater).

To install the B60 transducer:

The hole to be drilled from the outside of the hull must be 60 mm or 2-3/8 inches in diameter. If your hull is a fiberglass sandwich (cored fiberglass), an additional 80 mm or 3-1/8 inches diameter hole will be required inside the hull to prepare the area for installation.

On a planing powerboat, the B60 transducer must be mounted at the very rear, on or near the centerline, and well within the first set of lifting strakes. This ensures the transducer remains in contact with the water at high speed. The starboard side of the hull, where the propeller blades move downward, is generally preferred.

On a fin-keel sailboat, the B60 transducer must be installed on or near the centerline and forward of the fin keel, at a distance of 300 to 600 mm (1 to 2 feet).

Yes, applying a water-based antifouling paint is mandatory in saltwater to protect the transducer from marine growth. Airmar certifies that applying the Foulfree coating to its transducers does not result in any performance loss. This non-toxic coating prevents marine growth from adhering to the surface.

Yes, here are some essential precautions:

Check immediately for leaks when the boat is launched. Never pull, carry, or hold the transducer by its cable—this could sever internal connections. Never use solvents, as cleaners, fuels, sealants, paints, and other products can damage plastic parts, especially the transducer face. Ensure smooth water flow under the hull with minimal bubbles and turbulence. The transducer must remain continuously submerged. The transducer beam must not be obstructed by the keel or propeller shaft.

The ceramic element of the B60 transducer (0°) is factory-set to direct the sonar beam straight down for hulls with a deadrise of 0° to 7°. For correct installation, the deadrise angle of your hull at the mounting point must match the 0° tilt angle of the transducer. The installation must be done so that the arrow on top of the transducer points toward the keel or the boat’s centerline.

Using a fairing with the B60 transducer is not recommended. While this guideline is often specified for plastic housings to prevent sensor damage, the B60's low-profile design is intended for direct hull integration without additional fairing.

For a fiberglass sandwich hull, installation requires additional steps to prevent water absorption into the core. After drilling the 60 mm (2-3/8") outer hole, you must drill a larger 80 mm (3-1/8") hole from the inside to remove the core. This area must then be filled with fiberglass and resin, or a cylinder, wax, tape, and casting epoxy, before installing the depth sounder.

The B60 transducer is a traditional transducer and does not generate the same amount of heat as CHIRP transducers. It is designed to be used submerged in water. Prolonged operation out of water can cause overheating and damage the transducer. Under normal operating conditions in water, excessive heat is not expected.

The B60 transducer is recommended for a variety of boat types:

Displacement powerboats: Install amidships, near the centerline. Starboard side is preferred.Planing powerboats: Mount well aft, on or near the centerline, and inside the chines.Stern drives and Inboard/Outboard (I/O): Mount just forward of the engine(s).Inboard: Mount well forward of propellers and shafts.Step hulls: Mount just forward of the first step.Fin keel sailboats: Mount on or near the centerline, forward of the keel.Long keel sailboats: Position amidships and away from the keel.

To avoid interference and ensure optimal performance, select a mounting location:

Where the water flow under the hull is smooth, with minimal bubbles and turbulence.Far from sources of electrical interference and radiation, such as propellers and shafts, other machinery, other fishfinders, and other cables.Far from water intake or discharge openings, and behind strakes, fittings, or other hull irregularities that could disrupt water flow.Ensure the transducer remains continuously submerged in water, even at high speed.