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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

depth finder

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Adam
1st Mate

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USA
44 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/25/2010 : 16:17:48

Does anyone know how to remove the depth finder from the cockpit? I am removing it to send it off to be repaired and thought surely someone has already done this.
thanks

Edited by - on

Mark Maxwell
Captain

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USA
329 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2010 : 16:31:29

Need more info... what brand do you have....any pictures?

I had a signet that was mounted from outside in. Once the cover was removed from inside the screws holding it to the bulkhead could be accessed. Then the unit is removed from the outside. I'd think most are similar.

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Adam
1st Mate

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USA
44 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2010 : 16:48:20

i think its a signet. the boat is an 84 catalina 25.

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2010 : 18:23:04

Look for a metal ring around the inside of the round back. DMI used that to release the guts from the ring.

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KeziCat
1st Mate

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USA
28 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2010 : 18:48:00

The SIGNET depth finder on my '84 has a black plastic ring that clamps around the back side of the instrument head. There are also three thumbscrews that scew in (aft)against the interior companionway bulk head. Thus pulling the meter forward againt the gasket and bezel on the cockpit side. I tried to remove it once for inspection but found that either the factory or PO had sealed it into place. I couldn't get it loose and since it is working fine I left it alone rather than risk breaking it. They are not cheap.

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sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2010 : 19:47:02

The front flange has a self stick ring that might make you think it is glue in place. Careful to put pressure and slip putty knife under flange, try to go around (putty blade not as sharp as knife and can be pushed into gap withless damage than knife). Be ready to tag and lable wires. Picture?

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2010 : 20:03:34

Our '84 came with Sr Mariner gauges that were very simple to remove for repair. Everything come apart from the the rear of the bulkhead. There is a compression ring that holds them in place. Once the ring is off, you break the seal of whatever sealant was used for installation, and push on the back of the gauge. The whole unit pops out in one nice piece ready for service.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5376 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2010 : 15:56:01

I replaced the depth finder with a late model Hawkeye display unit. I reckoned that the 4" weatherproof anodized aluminum "can" that the original electronics were mounted in should stay, and I wanted to figure out a way to remove the innards while keeping the enclosure in place.

I found three screws on the inside retaining ring that loosened up easily, but when I wanted to remove the unit, realized it was stuck in place. I used gentle, persistent pressure and a plastic paint scraper to dislodge it from the bulkhead. I was careful not to bend or dent the aluminum enclosure, and not to scrape, mar or mark the surface of the bulkhead while pulling it apart.

In the end, I was able to mount the new unit inside the old can, and rewire the connections inside to the new display unit. I used polysulfide to reseal it.

Here's a photo of how it came out.

The new unit is clearly visible inside the glass. You'll also note a reflection of my yellow PFD in the glass. There was a small switch that I had to remove from the glass. It left a 1/4" hole that I filled with silicone.

Works fine and rain water does not leak or collect inside the unit.

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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 11/01/2010 : 09:01:40

Adam, sometimes the questions people ask are an insight into their experience level with boats in general. It would seem you thought that all 84 Catalina 25s would have the same instruments. Boats are blank canvases that are painted over again and again over the years. Even if a boat is ordered with instruments from the factory the factory is likely to change their supplier periodically. I am sure we all went through the same discovery period when we first came to sailing. The blank canvas analogy is also why orphaned boat models are still good investments. Rigging is generic and it is rare that a part on a boat cannot be replaced with another part, even if the boat has been out of production for years. This forum, the caliber of customer service from Catalina, and the resource of cataalinadirect.com make our boats particularly easy to maintain and upgrade but really with a little effort most older boats are easy to maintain.
All that said, I will say something I failed to say on my post on your upholstery thread, never do any maintenance without checking to see if it is not really an opportunity to "upgrade", whether to a nicer quality or more modern solution. Most people toss the old round gauges and replace them with newer equipment. Fishfinders are very cheap, easy to install and can include GPS functions... toss the old depth sounder... upgrade.

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Adam
1st Mate

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USA
44 Posts

Response Posted - 11/01/2010 : 12:59:44

Frank,
I think you may be right. The depth finder is a Corinthian II. I can't find much information on the net about them so it looks like I may be upgrading sooner rather than later.
thanks

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 11/03/2010 : 07:02:45

The Corinthian depthfinder was made by Datamarine according to another sailing forum I just Googled. Maybe that will help you.
My 84 boat did not have a depthfinder so I went the fishfinder route. I bought an Eagle Cuda unit on sale for about $70 and installed it myself. Easy. Used the toilet wax ring method to bed the transponder to the hull just behind the swing keel cable. also easy running the leads to the battery.

The mounting is a little crude, but it can be removed very easily if I want to. The placement does not interfere with the hatch boards, so I don't have to remove it to close up the boat.

Edited by - dmpilc on 11/03/2010 07:14:45

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.