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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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'Need depth guage advice ...

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1775 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/26/2002 : 14:47:18

Hi everyone,

When I picked up my boat, here's what the cockpit bulkhead and companionway looked like:

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2ce07b3127cce9138d876b7030000001410" border=0>

I've made a lot of progress, but I still have a 3 1/2 inch hole to fill. In the above photo you can see an orange circle in the bulkhead ... that's where the original depth gauge was located. The old depth gauge was thrown away long ago, so I don't have it to plug the hole with. BTW, the orange circle is the top to a container of Elmer's Wood Filler (which was hard as a rock) ... a nice touch from the PO.

Anyway, I'd like to put another depth gauge or fishfinder there, but I haven't been able to find anything that fits the hole (oh oh ... I left myself open ... here comes Don!). Obviously, I can make the hole bigger, or I can make it rectangular. So far, all the depth gauges I've seen seem to be made to mount on brackets that you secure to a pedestal or something similar ... I want something that fits in that hole!

I've considered putting other things in there, like a portlight, a solar vent, etc., but I really want a depth gauge, and it seems to me that this is the logical place to put it. Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!

Buzz Maring, C-25 SK/SR #68, "Freya"

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2002 : 20:43:50

Buzz,<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> I can make the hole bigger, or I can make it rectangular. So far, all the depth gauges I've seen seem to be made to mount on brackets that you secure to a pedestal or something similar ... I want something that fits in that hole!<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>I'm fairly contented with a "Seaview 800" fishfinder for keeping track of depth. It can be either surface mounted with the included bracket, or panel mounted in a 4-1/2" square hole with a kit sold separately. Unfortunately, I think that model may have been discontinued, which highlights something someone else posted when I was considering how to mount it, and brings us back to much the same problem you now face. It may not be the the most far sighted move to go cutting holes all over that bulkhead to custom mount electronic instruments that can be discontinued in a heartbeat when something newer (and a different shape) supercedes them.

I ended up making a sort of teak picture frame mount for the "Seaview 800", and just drilling four mounting screw holes, and a couple of 1/2" or so holes for the wiring. That way there's a lot less total bulkhead penetration area to deal with if there's a later change of plan. One disadvantage is that the whole thing sticks out maybe 2-1/2", so it's not comfortable to lean on without one of those square throwable PFDs up next to it to shim up the rest of the old spine. I've heard of people making up custom bulkhead cushions to solve this sort of problem, sort of a nautical version of the busted tailbone donut pillow.<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

Maybe you could do some variation of that, with a wood box around a new fish finder that covers the existing hole, and the wires routed through the old hole.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>... really want a depth gauge, and it seems to me that this is the logical place to put it.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>I put my fishfinder about where your speaker is located. One possible problem I see locating a depth instrument where your orange Wood Filler top is would be a crew member's body blocking the helmsperson's view of it. Even with mine mounted as high and inboard as practical, I sometimes end up watching the back of the head of the person who is mesmerized by what's happening on the fishfinder. I guess the plot is deeper, and the characters more intelligent, than most TV shows.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

I went ahead and panel mounted my steering compass, but it's a model that's been on the market for quite a while (Plastimo Contest 101 or something like that) -- compasses don't go out of vogue as fast as solid state gismos. Besides, it's one of those cool see-thru ones that can be read from either side, and makes a nifty portlight above the galley.

By the way, nice teak.<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle> Was your lowest splash board missing entirely, or just busted up?

-- Leon Sisson

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1775 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2002 : 22:05:32

Hi Leon,

Thanks for the info. I agree with cutting as little as possible out of the bulkhead ... that's why I'm trying to fill the hole that's already there. I'm still hell-bent to find one, but if I can't, I'll probably put a small portlight and/or stained glass there (like others have done), and maybe someday they'll start making round depth gauges again.

By the way, nice teak. Was your lowest splash board missing entirely, or just busted up? - Leon

OH the abuse my poor boat got from PO's ... ! The lowest splash board was in pieces. You can also see what was done to the teak trim ... it was covered in black lacquer (as were the handrails). After much pressure washing, sanding, wailing and gnashing of teeth, all that trim has been restored to teak, and the companionway hatch boards have been put back together and refinished.

I didn't have any trees growing out of the cockpit like Duane had when he bought his boat, but she sure had been neglected. It's a shame to see how some people let their boats go.

Thanks again ... I'll keep looking!

Buzz Maring, C-25 SK/SR #68, "Freya"

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n/a
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125 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2002 : 11:11:13

Buzz, Ive got a raytheon st40 set of guages, and although the face or head is rectangle, they still fit in a round hole. I'm not sure of the size round hole, but it has a round base that fits into a round hole. Just the top or face is rectangle. I'm also fairly sure that this is also the case with the raytheon ST60 series. Go to either west Marine or a BoatU.S and pull a gauge out of the box and look at it. I'll bet the back has a round insert that will drop into your offending hole.

Gclarke C250Wb..Left Coast

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1775 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2002 : 11:56:12

Ive got a raytheon st40 set of gauges, and although the face or head is rectangle, they still fit in a round hole. I'm not sure of the size round hole, but it has a round base that fits into a round hole. - Gary

Hi Gary,

I never thought that the back of the gauge might be round ... that would work fine. Now I've got something to go on ... thanks!

Buzz Maring, C-25 SK/SR #68, "Freya"

Edited by - on

ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2002 : 15:07:16

When I got Orion there was (is) a bracket bulkhead mounted Humminbird depth sounder, a pain, right in the middle of a sitters back, it WILL be moved. Point being, in the manual describing Humminbird DS's, which work just fine, there were two models that could be mounted in a bulkhead cutout, and were quite substantial in size, might very well nicely fill up your hole and work well, suggest a trip to their web site, fair winds, ron c25 srsk#2343 Orion SW FL

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luckystar
Navigator

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USA
236 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2002 : 15:24:42

Hey, Buzz! My boat came with a SR Mariner Analog depth gauge in the position of the one above the elmers lid. After 20 years, it finally gave out. I noticed that defender has them, but from what I understand now, they are not going to carry them anymore. So I bought a new one and an analog knot meter with transducers for a great sale price. The Knot meter was $95 and the Depth was $180. Great deal and they apparently last a long time! They are approx. 4in. diam. and should plug your holes there! If you don't like that speaker there, I'd look on ebay or used marine places for a nice brass or stainless round porthole, It would be a great way to get more light and air in the cockpit. I'm thinking of buying the opening lewmar ports for the head and installing one of the old portlights next to my compass on port side over galley for more light and to cover where the DPO placed the depth gauge (they put it in the middle and I can't mount the knot meter next to it, so I'm going to install both of the new units on strbd side under my autohelm control!) Good luck!

Patrick Burnett, Little Rock, AR
S/V Lucky Star #2707 1982 SK/SR

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1775 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2002 : 15:57:06

in the manual describing Humminbird DS's, which work just fine, there were two models that could be mounted in a bulkhead cutout, and were quite substantial in size, might very well nicely fill up your hole and work well - Ron

Hi Ron,

I'll have to check Hummingbird's website ... thanks! I hear you loud and clear about the gauge sticking out too far ... that's why I'd really like to find something that fits in that hole.

My boat came with a SR Mariner Analog depth gauge ... They are approx. 4in. diam. and should plug your holes there - Patrick

Hi Patrick,

I'm not familiar with SR Mariner brand, so I'm glad you passed that along. I'll look for that brand and also check out Defender's website. BTW, I have already replaced the knotmeter (it was inop) with a new Bose speaker, and I replaced the Radio Shack speaker on the starboard side with another Bose. Now all I've got left is that nasty 3 1/2 inch hole on the port side.

Thanks again to you both!

Buzz Maring, C-25 SK/SR #68, "Freya"

Edited by - on

John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2002 : 13:48:46

Hi Buzz,
Looks like a big project. Be sure to post some pics as you get it polished up.

Here's a search of WestMarine, they have some round depth sounders:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SiteSearch?keyword=depth%20sounder& advanced=YES& searchDeptId=3

Good luck!

John Mason - Ali Paroosa
1982 - FK/SR #3290

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