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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Speed Transducer Pull/Cleaning

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/28/2012 : 10:21:17

Well, my Raymarine Tri-Data speed indicator is acting up. Most of the time it does not register (the speed gauge reads "0.0") but when I really get going fast it occasionally does work but then eventually goes to 0.0 again. Because it reads 0.0 and not something like "-----" it makes me think the electronics are fine but the paddle-wheel is not spinning. I suspect the paddle-wheel must be dirty/clogged although I recall shooting the hose at it last fall on pullout and the wheel spinning rapidly.

So, I am thinking of pulling the transducer/paddle-wheel to check it out. This gives me some trepidation. I know the unit is made to have the real transducer pulled while in the water and then a "blanking pug" replacement quickly put in. There are "flap valves" to help stop the water during the switchover.

My question is - have any of you done this while in the water? Does it work smoothly with minimal water intrusion or is there some risk to this?

We cannot direct the winds but we can adjust our sails.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2012 : 11:25:08

I've read on this forum that ohers have done it and only got maybe a gallon or two of water. Seems like it might be easier to reach under the boat with the boat brush and try to clean it that way or just hop in the water with a stiff bristled brush and scrub it quickly. Might need a wetsuit in your area though.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2012 : 11:49:40

Randy, I've done it several times. The shallow end of Lake Erie has had serious problems with algae the last few years. The trick is to be completely prepared before you pull the pin then the plug. I didn't have any flapper valves to check the flow. I just had a very large towel at the ready. I piled the towel "downstream" of the plug and did the deed. The first time I was surprised at the force of the water flow coming in because I was expecting some kind of flapper like you described. I don't think the towel even got completely wet. I ended up with a little water in the bilge but not enough to even get a sponge after.

Just make sure everything is out of the way and go for it.

Edited by - on

szymek
Navigator

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Canada
209 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2012 : 12:23:19

I do it every year - twice a year. Just have a plug ready in the other hand and I usually take in approx 500 ml to 1 liter max.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2012 : 12:34:18

I've never done this, but have read about it. You won't get a gusher of water into the boat, but it might be a good plan to have a wooden plug ready at hand if you don't have the original plug as well as the recommended towel. I'd be inclined to swim under the boat with a scrub brush, but I don't know how cold your lake is. If you've got a wet suit, it's a no-brainer, you can take a look at the rest of your hull while you're down there.

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glivs
Admiral

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USA
836 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2012 : 18:08:17

Been there...as long as you are prepared, no issue (but always have plan B in hand just in case). Like John and szymek pointed out, you will be surprised how little water actually comes in if you are diligent. It's like pointing your skies down the fall line, if you hesitate you're toast. If you're going to do it, do it.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2012 : 18:24:47

For me, pulling the transducer has been pretty much a non-event. When doing it the first time I envisioned a scene from the Three Stooges with a geyser shooting up to the ceiling, but there's actually so little pressure the water just kind of overflows a bit.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2012 : 20:05:04

Thanks all. I'll go in prepared and do the work from inside. The water in the lake is too cold right now to convince my wife to dive in and clean the transducer in the water.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2012 : 06:46:10

Before doing this, it might be a good time to install an automatic bilge pump (if you have not done so already).

I was able to greatly simplify the installation by hooking the pump to the intake end of the manual pump's hose. (This simplification is not without controversy, but I consider it much better than having no automatic pump at all.) The electric pump acts as a strainer for the manual pump, and if the electric pump needs to come on, it just pushes water out through the flappers on the Whale pump. [url="http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=21340"]Click here[/url] for a previous thread where I described this.

I never thought that I'd need this electric pump, but it may have saved me during Hurricane Irene last year. Despite my best attempts to tape around the hatches, etc., I got significant water in the bilge, and I suspect the pump kicked on several times, thus saving the boat from greater damage. Despite everyone's assurances that this is straightforward (and it sounds pretty straightforward to me if you've got the blank insert handy), redundancy is a good thing. If you've ever been tempted to install an automated pump, this is a good time to do it.

Edited by - TakeFive on 05/29/2012 07:13:46

Tomas Kruska
Admiral

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Czech Republic
522 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2012 : 07:13:57

I've heard an idea how to temporary fix the hole in the hull.
Just put on some tarp or sail bellow the hull and tight it. It will act as a barrier.

PS: I would not touch that in the water anyway. Get some brush on a long branch

PPS: This weekend I've disassembled my 30year old Guzzler manual bilge pump 400 to check the status of the flaps and rubber caps.
Glad I did it. Flaps fixed but the rubber cap is too expensive to ship from US so I decided its still "ok".
Now it sucks as bride

Edited by - Tomas Kruska on 05/29/2012 07:18:18

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3464 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2012 : 09:05:01

Removing the transducer is one of those jobs that scares me. My SR Mariner knotmeter is not working and my first choice would be to replace it with a new knotmeter such as from Moor or Signet. I understand that the company that use to sell the knotmeter will still support fixing the old units but not really up to removing the transducer and sending it away for servicing or replacing and then again, the knotmeter unit may need servicing. If I was assured that there is a mfr that has a knotmeter that will fit the present hole size of the SR Mariner knotmeter and their transducer would fit into the SR Mariner transducer housing by basically unscrewing the old and inserting the new, then maybe I would purchase the new and attempt the install dockside. Otherwise, I would have to wait until a season that I take the boat out again or...just cut the wires and install a GPS Hockey puck speed indicator or sothing like that. Though, I favor knowing my spped relative to the water current. I do have a handheld GPS if I want to know the speed over land. Anyone that has installed a new knotmeter utilizing the existing knotmeter and transducer holes of an SR Mariner ?

Edited by - OLarryR on 05/29/2012 09:06:53

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