Upgrade Your Fishing Game: Installing the Airmar B175HW on Your Blackjack 256 Coastal with Humminbird Solix 12

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October 2, 2025

By : Victor .O.

For serious anglers looking to gain a significant edge, upgrading your fish finder transducer is one of the most impactful decisions you can make. The Airmar B175HW (High-Wide CHIRP) is a powerful, low-profile thru-hull transducer that provides incredible target separation and wider coverage in the water column. Pairing this 1kW powerhouse with your high-definition Humminbird Solix 12 unit will unlock an entirely new level of clarity and detail, transforming your fishing experience on the Blackjack 256 Coastal.

As experts in marine electronics installation, especially for high-performance setups like yours, we’ve broken down what this upgrade involves, why it’s a great fit for your boat, and how we can assist, even from a distance.

The Perfect Pairing: Airmar B175HW and Humminbird Solix

The Airmar B175HW is ideal for your Blackjack 256 Coastal, particularly for bay and coastal fishing where you’re targeting shallow to medium depths (up to about 500 feet).

Feature	Airmar B175HW Advantage	Benefit for Your Blackjack 256 Coastal
High-Wide CHIRP	Operates from 150-250 kHz with a constant 25° beamwidth.	Provides excellent coverage and detailed image of the water column, making it easier to spot bait schools and structure under the boat. Great for marking fish when trolling or drifting.
1kW Power	Offers four times the power of a standard 250W transducer.	Generates a stronger signal for maximum depth penetration and superior performance at speed, crucial for the faster-planing hull of the Blackjack.
Thru-Hull Design	Low-profile, tilted-element design (available in $0^{\circ}$ , $1 2^{\circ}$ , or $2 0^{\circ}$ tilt).	Provides the cleanest signal without cavitation. The tilted element compensates for your hull’s deadrise, ensuring the beam shoots straight down for the best bottom picture.
Compatibility	Fully compatible with the Humminbird Solix 12 (via an adapter cable).	Seamless integration allows you to fully utilize the Solix’s high-resolution display and custom CHIRP frequency settings.

Professional Installation: What to Expect

The installation of a thru-hull transducer is a precise and critical job that requires professional attention to ensure optimal performance and, most importantly, a watertight seal.

1. Selecting the Correct Tilt for Your Hull

The Blackjack 256 Coastal has a specific hull deadrise angle (the V-shape of the hull at the mounting point). To ensure your transducer’s beam shoots straight down, you must select the correct B175HW model:

$0^{\circ}$ Tilt: For hull deadrises of $0^{\circ} - 7^{\circ}$ .
$1 2^{\circ}$ Tilt: For hull deadrises of $8^{\circ} - 1 5^{\circ}$ .
$2 0^{\circ}$ Tilt: For hull deadrises of $1 6^{\circ} - 2 4^{\circ}$ .

While we don’t know the exact deadrise of your boat, the $1 2^{\circ}$ tilt is often a common fit for planing hulls like the Blackjack. An experienced installer will measure your boat’s specific deadrise to guarantee the correct choice.

2. Thru-Hull Mounting

The installation involves drilling a hole (typically 3-3/4 inches) in the bottom of your boat. This process requires precision, proper sealing, and following all safety guidelines:

Optimal Location: The transducer must be mounted in an area with smooth water flow—typically well aft, near the centerline, and forward of the motor(s), strakes, or any hull irregularity that could create turbulence and noise at speed. For your Blackjack’s planing hull, we’ll aim for a location that keeps the transducer submerged even at high speeds.
Drilling and Sealing: We use marine-grade sealant (like 3M 5200) on the housing, flange, and threads to create a secure, permanent, and watertight barrier. This step is non-negotiable for safety and performance.

3. Connecting to Your Humminbird Solix 12

The Airmar B175HW does not connect directly to the Solix. It requires a specific adapter cable, typically the Airmar Mix and Match Cable for Humminbird 14-Pin CHIRP.

The Airmar transducer’s pigtail will connect to the mix-and-match cable.
The 14-pin connector on the adapter cable then plugs directly into the Sonar-Temp port on your Humminbird Solix unit.
For the Solix to recognize and utilize the Airmar transducer’s high-wide CHIRP capabilities, the unit’s software must be configured. This involves selecting the correct Connected Transducer and setting the appropriate CHIRP Frequency Spectrum in the Sonar settings.

Local Service for Lake Charles, LA Customers

While you are located in Lake Charles, LA, our experienced marine electronics installation and service is centered in Kemah, TX, and the surrounding 30-mile radius.

We regularly service customers who trailer their boats from Louisiana, and the Kemah/Clear Lake area offers several top-tier facilities for hauling, docking, and service.

You are welcome to bring your Blackjack 256 Coastal to our facility at 828 Marina Bay Dr, Kemah, TX 77565, where our team can ensure a professional, high-quality installation.

We work with all major brands, including Humminbird and Airmar, and would be happy to discuss scheduling your upgrade and confirming all necessary parts (transducer model, adapter cable, etc.) to get you the absolute best performance on the water.

Ready to see the difference 1kW CHIRP can make? Contact us today to schedule your Airmar B175HW installation.

Call us at +1 281-538-9377.

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