Third party instrument transducer connection question

[Mooseflyer]

Hello,

I'm almost starting from scratch on a basic electronics installation. The only even remotely up-to-date electronics installed on my boat when I purchased it were a Raymarine RD424D radome and an Airmar DT800 depth/temp sounder. Whatever MFDs that were previously installed were removed before my purchase. I recently bought an es97 MFD, and I'm planning the installation. I have the radar connection figured out.

My question comes from the DT800 connection. The sounder cable currently terminates at a standard NMEA 2000 "T" (see picture), which of course is no longer connected to anything. There is no backbone installed in the boat. Can I connect the DT800 directly the the MFD with the use of an adapter cable (part number E66066)? If it helps, the part number for the Airmar unit is 44-135-2-02.

A follow up question: I may look to install a NMEA 2000 backbone in the future. In that case, I assume my Airmar unit would connect directly to the backbone and then to the standard SeatalkNG connection on the es97? If so, I could save the cost of the E66066 adapter cable by dropping the NMEA 2000 connection now?

Thanks very much. I certainly appreciate your time.