Planning on fishing Fort Ross this Friday for some rock fish, let me know if you want to join.

I just got my first fish finder and installed it on my kayak a few months ago but have been overly cautious about damaging the transducer when launching/landing and transporting (car top).  The transducer (Lowrance 50/200) is slightly recessed (1/2") in my OT Salty but I'm just not sure how durable transducers are when scrapped against sand and gravel.  Is it ok to run it up on sandy landings or loose gravel? I made a transducer cover out of a beer koozie for transporting but not sure if it is necessary. Anyone have any insight on transducer durability and what to avoid, besides the obvious jagged rock landings?