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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Reducing Old Transducer Hole for new Transducer

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Kip C
Navigator

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USA
243 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/25/2006 : 12:41:13

Hi All,
My Navman 3100 multi display came yesterday and it's going to replace my dead fishfinder. The transducer is 1 5/8in and my old transducer is 2 in.. What would be the best way to fill the hole and redrill it. Which west products would work best or any other products? It's going to be between 80-90 degrees this weekend, if it matters.
Thanks,

Kip Casada

Quietude
C25 #6021
SR/WK/Inboard

Edited by - Kip C on 05/25/2006 12:53:21

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2006 : 19:39:02

I'm under the impression that most sailors mount the transducer inside the hull using epoxy or even toilet seal wax. Check it out before you go drilling large holes below the waterline.

Edited by - on

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2006 : 19:45:16

I'm a big fan of MAS epoxy. Having used it to build kayaks and most recently to fill the through hull for the sink drain and do some repair work on the keel on Swimmer. It is also what the mast on Ocean Planet was built with. If you haven't done this kind of thing before, you need to do some research. You can't just slap a patch on the current hole and redrill it, but you probably know this....just in case though, I thought I'd mention it. Lot of threads here and on catalinaowners.com forum discuss this kind of repair. Search for GMJ Marine on the cat owners forum, he's a former BIG boat builder who gives a lot of good advice.

Edited by - on

Kip C
Navigator

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USA
243 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2006 : 20:26:10

Thanks for the replies. I wish I could mount the speed transducer in hull. Actually, the depth transducer will be mounted in hull. If I don't reduce the hole I already have, I'll have to wait for a 2in transducer thats back ordered 10 days. Rick, I know enough to get myself into trouble, thats why I'm asking for the best way to reduce the hole.
Thanks,

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2006 : 21:00:49

If it were me, I'd wait for the 2" transducer and not bother with the resizing of the hole.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2006 : 10:37:57

WAIT

Edited by - on

Kip C
Navigator

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USA
243 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2006 : 15:46:16

Well, it looks like I'll be waiting. I searched all over for a 2in in stock transducer with no luck. The plan is to put the old transducer back in, finish the bottom work and get it in the water next weekend. Then pull the boat the weekend before Nationals and install new transducer.

Edited by - on

Kip C
Navigator

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USA
243 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2006 : 16:06:11

I have my 2" transducer finally. What is the best sealant to put the new one in. The old one had a soft white caulk.
Thanks,

Edited by - Kip C on 06/14/2006 16:07:43

Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2006 : 16:39:58

5200 here is the only way to go.........I know you will never be able to remove it, but if its under the water thats what I want.

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2006 : 17:24:44

Polysulfide will work fine.

"Polysulfide is the most versatile of marine sealants. It is a synthetic rubber with excellent adhesive characteristics, and you can use it for almost everything. As a bedding compound it allows for movements associated with stress and temperature change, yet maintains the integrity of the seal by gripping tenaciously to both surfaces. It is also an excellent caulking compound since it can be sanded after it cures and it takes paint well.

However, the solvents in polysulfide sealant attack some plastics, causing them to harden and split. Specifically, you must not use polysulfide to bed plastic windshields or plastic portlights--either acrylic (Plexiglas) or polycarbonate (Lexan). Don't use it to bed plastic deck fittings either, including plastic portlight frames. Plastic marine fittings are typically ABS or PVC, and polysulfide will attack both. If you know that the plastic fitting is made of epoxy, nylon, or Delrin, you can safely bed it with polysulfide. Below-the waterline through-hull fittings are in this group, but when there is any doubt, select an alternative sealant."

From Don Casey on sealants. Entire article:

http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/35.htm

Edited by - on

StSimon
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2006 : 00:19:42

Sorry Capri25 but I will have to disagree.

While 5200 is an option it is absolutely NOT the "only way to go".

I use 4200 on my thru-hull transducers (2) (not to mention the other thru-hulls) and have never had a problem. I am able to remove them for bottom jobs and rebed them afterwards. I'm not one to sweat small problems however since I am prepared for the worst. I always check my bilge on boarding to look for any moisture. I'm sure I'm not alone but I've got an extremely dry boat. If I ever sprang a leak the bilge pumps should handle the problem (until the batteries quit).

While I will agree that 5200 has it's place in the sailboat arena, I contend that there are other, safe, less permanent options when bedding a thru-hull fitting.

Kip, I am glad you waited until you had the proper fitting for your hull. While re-glassing and drilling is no big deal (got the t-shirt) I would always go with the same size hole if given the choice. I'm glad you had a choice.

Existential Sailer, you just recommended a product that is incompatible with plastics? A lot of thru-hulls are plastic and will not work with polysufide !!! I'm glad you included the warning.

Kip, please take these and other recomendations with a grain of salt. While there are "experts" out there that warrant respect, the internet is open to anyone who has an opinion, whether it is right or wrong.

BTW, I do not count myself as one of the "experts" on this forum.

Good luck and ...

Edited by - StSimon on 06/15/2006 00:41:40

weluvlife
Navigator

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166 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2006 : 17:47:54

Who makes this "4200" ?

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2006 : 17:52:11

[url="http://www3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/auto_marine_aero/marine/node_GS46L96VMDbe/root_GST1T4S9TCgv/vroot_GS4JK4Y166ge/gvel_QH8HT14PGTgl/theme_us_marine_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html"]3M 4200[/url]

Edited by - on

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2006 : 20:47:46

Is polyurethane a urethane polymer?
Just wondering...

Edited by - on

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