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fishfinder

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tom
1st Mate

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USA
52 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/25/2002 : 18:46:03

I decided instead of repairing my knotmeter I will purchase a Fishfinder. The recent article in Practical Sailor recomends the
Furuno ls6100 or the Garmin 240 Blue. My Question is in regards to mounting the unit. Are these units you cut in permentaly or are they
mounted so they can be removed? Second question, it looks like the
best option for me would be the transom mounted transducer am I getting a depth reading after the fact? Are the shoot thru units effective and can the give a speed reading ? With my new Solar Panel and now the Fishfinder I am stimulating the ecconomy more than Alan
Greenspan.

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2002 : 22:04:02

Tom,

I installed a fishfinder on my 1979 C-25. Having used both a digits only depth finder and a graphical fishfinder, I much prefer the fishfinder.

To mount the display & keypad unit, I built a teak picture frame to fit it, and screwed the teak to the aft cabin bulkhead. That way, I only needed a couple of about 1/2" to 3/4" holes for the wiring. A custom acrylic cloth cover protects the display and teak frame from the weather when not in use. I'd be cautious about making large custom cutouts in the bulkhead for oddly shaped electronic gadgets. That stuff dies, gets superceeded and discontinued too often for me to keep repairing the cutouts in the fiberglass.

I also like the swing out type of display mount. These are usually a simple custom teak hinge bracket, attached just inside the companionway, that swings inside for storage, and swings out when in use. My only nit picking objection to these is that the companion way has to be open to read them from the helm, and then they are slightly in the way when passing through the companionway. Everyone I've talked to who had one was happy with it.

I mounted my depth transducer under the V-berth, shoot-thru-hull style. I selected a PVC cleanout fitting the appropriate diameter, trimmed the unthreaded end to fit the hull curvature, and bedded it with epoxy putty. I fastened the depth transducer inside the PVC, and added water until the transducer was covered. Remember to test for hull "transparancy" first!

I tried mounting the speed paddle wheel at the bottom of the transom, but appearantly the water moving past there is too turbulent for an accurate speed reading. (It seemed like a good idea at the time.) I haven't got around to relocating it yet. I may try making some sort of retractable mount that can be extended down deeper into smoother water, but lifted out when not in use to avoid accumulating marine growth. (A variation of the companionway swing out mount?) For now, my GPS satisfies my limited curiousity about speed. A thru-hull speed transducer would also solve the turbulent vs. smooth water accuracy problem, but the paddle wheels need periodic cleaning.

-- Leon Sisson

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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2002 : 22:06:07

I instaled the Garmin when I had Wind Lass. It worked great. The through the hull shooter needs to use the puck type transducer. If you follow the instructions for mounting the puck and get no air in the mounting medium they are every bit as good as an in hull. The stern mounted ones are the pits and dont work very good for speed or depth. If you want speed and depth you will need to go with a through hull transducer but they are very expensive. I bought the Garmin and a GPS for speed for less.

Doug&Ruth
Triska (Alberg 29)
Tacoma Wa.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.