The ForwardScan transducer can be removed from its stainless steel sleeve for maintenance. Alternatively, new boats may be fitted with an empty sleeve to allow easy on-water installation of the ForwardScan transducer at a later date. The sleeve features a self-closing valve to minimize water ingress when the transducer is first removed, but a blanking plug is required to provide a fully watertight seal in the absence of a transducer.