Airmar P79S - Plastic oil-filled in-hull depth sounder 100W with hull deadrise compensation – (NMEA 2000)

An in-hull transducer is a type of sonar transducer installed inside the boat hull. It transmits and receives sonar signals through the hull, eliminating the need to drill holes. The transducer is placed in a liquid-filled housing (typically propylene glycol) that ensures optimal acoustic coupling with the hull.

The Garmin Airmar P79S transducer has a power output of 100 W. This power is suitable for accurate depth detection on vessels up to 8 meters (26 feet).

The Airmar P79S transducer operates at a single frequency of 235 kHz. This frequency has been specifically chosen to minimize mutual interference with other fishfinders that may be present on board your vessel.

The Garmin Airmar P79S transducer is designed to deliver accurate depth data. With its Smart™ Sensor technology, the data is processed directly within the sensor.

The Garmin Airmar P79S transducer offers a maximum depth detection range of up to 150 meters (500 feet).

Yes, the Airmar P79S transducer integrates Smart™ Sensor technology. This means it has embedded microelectronics that process depth signals directly within the sensor before transmitting them digitally.

The Garmin Airmar P79S transducer is compatible with any navigation system or display that accepts NMEA 2000® data. It connects directly to the vessel's NMEA 2000 network.

The Airmar P79S transducer is recommended for solid fiberglass hulls. It is critical that the hull area beneath the transducer has no coring materials (such as foam or balsa) that could absorb acoustic energy. It can also be epoxied to aluminum hulls thinner than 0.38 mm (0.150”).

No, one of the main advantages of the Airmar P79S transducer is that it installs inside the hull, eliminating the need to drill holes. This preserves the boat's structural integrity and avoids turbulence under the hull.

The Airmar P79S transducer is designed with an adjustable mounting bracket that allows it to adapt easily and compensate for hull drift angles ranging from 2° to 22°.

For installing the Airmar P79S depth sounder, you will need the following items:

Silicone sealant (such as GE® Silicone I or Silicone II)VaselinePropylene glycol (a non-toxic antifreeze/coolant) — approximately 71 ml (2.4 fl. oz.) to fill the reservoir.

Yes, the Airmar P79S transducer can be installed while the boat is in the water, as it requires no hull drilling and is fully mounted from inside the boat.

The Airmar P79S transducer is supplied with a 6-metre (20-foot) NMEA 2000 cable, fitted with a Micro connector for simplified integration.

The ideal location for the P79S transducer is an area of the fiberglass hull that is solid (without air bubbles or coring materials), that will always be in contact with water, and where the water flow under the hull is as smooth as possible with minimal bubbles and turbulence. It is also important to keep it away from interference sources such as propellers, shafts, other machinery, or other depth sounders.

The 235 kHz frequency is used to avoid mutual interference with other depth sounders or electronic equipment on board the vessel. This is an advantage over classic dual-frequency transducers, which can sometimes cause signal crossings.

The beam width of the Airmar P79S depth sounder is 7° at -3dB. A narrow beam is ideal for precise depth detection.

During installation, wear safety glasses, a dust mask, and hearing protection. Never pull the depth sounder by its cable—this could damage internal connections. Do not use epoxy adhesives as they are too brittle, nor solvents that could damage the depth sounder's plastic parts. Ensure the hull is solid and free of core material at the chosen location.

The Airmar P79S transducer should not be installed in the engine compartment or any other hot location. It is best to mount the transducer in a cool, well-ventilated area to prevent potential overheating of the liquid in the tank.

Before permanent installation, it is recommended to test the chosen location. You can temporarily place the transducer inside the hull with a small amount of water (in a thin plastic bag) or a water-based lubricant between the transducer and the hull, then observe the fishfinder's performance. Compare this reading to a "baseline" obtained by holding the transducer submerged outside the boat. A good location will provide a stable reading similar to the baseline.