Paravane's are a hassle to deploy and retrieve, a real inconvenience. They are also expensive to maintain and repair. However, they are a valuable tool when needed.

The great news is that in recent seasons ENL have begun recommending hydrophones be installed in a different configuration after years of learning, and it is resulting in feedback from vessels that they are able to achieve up to 90% fishing on Marport quad install hydrophone's. 

Skippers report only having to deploy paravanes in rougher weather (plus 50 knot winds and rough seas state).

How is this performance achieved?

Marport M6 / M6Pro receiver's can accommodate up to 6 hydrophones. The M6 / M6Pro receiver will 'hunt' for the strongest signal from any hydrophones connected. 

By installing multiple hull (pod) mounted hydrophones on various angles, we can create wide and deep coverage behind the vessel. 

We recommend a minimum of 2 hydrophones each side (I.e. 4 total), but 3 can be installed each side if the vessel fishes extremes (targeting species in shallow & deep water, and extreme wire scope variations).

Quick summary of a Good Blister/Pod:  

• Install separate port & starboard blister/pods, ~1,200mm outside keel
• Pods to be between 1/3 and 1/2 way distance back from bow
• Pods to be no more than 50 mm higher than the lowest point on the keel
• Install at least 1m from any other acoustic device (sonar, sounder, doppler current meter, multibeam etc.)
• Highly recommend Marport NC 1 08 Active wideband hydrophone type (4 units or 6 units)
• Fit 2 or 3 hydrophones per pod, aligned vertically (if installing 2, perhaps allow space to install a 3 rd hydrophone later, in case needed
• Install hydrophones on a fixed angle between 10 to 20 relative to the centerline aimed toward the outside for horizontal coverage (unless being used for positioning in which case they should be aligned 0° - 15°)
• Install each pair of hydrophones on various vertical slant angles (between 10° to 35°) for vertical coverage. See chart in PDF download below for calculating angles.
• Ensure port side pod is a mirror of the starboard side pod (replicate angles). 
• Ensure the ships MARPORT Receiver is enabled to support the number of hydrophones being fitted
• Welds on pod housing to be smooth
• Side walls of housing to be square to transducer face
• Hydrophone faces to sit flush with housing surface
• Anti foul with FOULFREE ™from PROPSPEED

It it is critical that specific requirements are met with regards to placement, engineering and installation.

For a deeper understanding and explanation, we strongly recommend you download the PDF guide below, which thoroughly outlines the considerations when installing Marport hydrophones (for optimal performance).

Contact Dave James for further information/guidance: davej@enl.co.nz