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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Depth Sounder

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thacket3
Navigator

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USA
101 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/26/2003 : 10:37:24

Has anyone installed a transducer inside the haul? If so, where did you mount it and how well does it work?
Thanks-
Tim

Edited by - on

RoofRoof
Navigator

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USA
186 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2003 : 10:58:30

Well first of all you should do a search on this site for previous threads about your topic. I have responded 3 or 4 times to this question before. But, here goes again.

I have a 79' Cat 26 SKTR. Although others recommended buying the special "puck" type transducer, I simply used the more common transducer that is meant to be in the water, trailing behind a power boat. I wanted to mount it as far forward as possible to give me a little time to react to anything ahead. So, I mounted it under the V-berth right in the middle of the boat.

Here is the very easy process that works perfectly:

First use some calking or anything to make a roughly 8" diameter round "dam." This is just like it sounds, a "dam" to hold in the epoxy that you'll use next. Once this little dam has hardened, pour in some 2 part slow cure epoxy. Set the transducer (any style will work) into the 'pond' of epoxy.....put a weight on it to hold it down and in place until the epoxy cures.

You're done. It "sees" right thru the epoxy and hull just like they weren't even there.

Edited by - on

RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2003 : 12:25:21

Before you do the permanent install (like Mr. Roof's), you might want to test whether that spot will work. Hook the unit up and place the transducer on top of a Ziplock baggie filled with water on the testing spot on the inside of the hull. A good reading means that spot is ok.

I am still looking for a good spot on my boat. I have been able to get occasional readings from a couple of spots, but nothing consistant. Some have suggested there may be mini bubbles in the hull fiberglass (from manufacture) which is preventing clean sound transmission.

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cf39b3127cce92448c0b84670000001010" border=0>

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

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jsummerfield
1st Mate

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USA
96 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2003 : 23:53:03

The fishfinders are awesome and work well without drilling through the hull.

I did a temporary installation of the Garmin 100 Blue. I used a rectangular plastic food storage bowl with the bottom and part of one end cut out to suit the shape of the sensor. I used silicone goop to secure the bowl to the floor aft of the companionway behind the keel. I ran the cable through the hatchway under the quarterberth and drilled through the side of the steps to secure the cable. I mounted the control/display indication on a 1 X 4 cut to fit the bottom hatchboard location. I used the accessory fuse at the top of the 12 VDC panel.

It works just great. I pour just a bit of water in the bowl to assure that the sound travels through the hull. It does not work without the water but others use mineral oil that does not evaporate.

John
C25 3973 FK/SR
"Texas Tango"

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cch
Navigator

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202 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2003 : 11:20:43

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Well first of all you should do a search on this site for previous threads about your topic. I have responded 3 or 4 times to this question before. But, here goes again.

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Hi Alan,

I am fairly new to the forum and I am having trouble with the search function. Do you have any suggestions? Every search I try times out before I receive any results.

Thanks,

Chris Hunsicker
Panama City FL
Moonglade
80 C25 #2126 sr/sk
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3d636b3127cce8c9d4c83e7890000002010" border=0>

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2003 : 12:39:57

Chris,

Re: "...having trouble with the search function. Do you have any suggestions? Every search I try times out before I receive any results."

Unlike for instance [url="http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/trailersailor/index.cgi"]TrailerSailor.Com[/url], it's been my experience that our forum software archive search feature seems to have a very short long term memory.

With the "[_] Archived Posts" box not checked, it only seems to go back about 6 months.

With the "[X] Archived Posts" box checked, it seems skip the most recent 6 months or so, and the posts it does return are truncated.

At least that's been my experience. Do the best you can, and then ask us to repeat the topic if we need to. We're pretty accomodating that way.<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

-- Leon Sisson

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2003 : 13:02:14

One thing that seems to help most to prevent timing out when searching: Search on the subject only--not the entire message. Most subjects include words that define the thread, such as "depth" or "bimini".

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

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cch
Navigator

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202 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2003 : 10:43:49

Hi Tim,

I purchased a West Marine depth sounder several years ago along with a thru hull transducer. I couldn't find a location that would without question not be damaged by loading on and off the trailer so returned for an in hull transducer (reads through the hull)

I tried several locations by sanding the boat bottom to make it smooth and then sticking the transducer in a bed of vaseline. I found the best location to be just to starboard and maybe 4 to 6 inches aft of the stand pipe where the swing keel cable comes thru the hull. If you have a wing or fin keel, that would be just directly under the stairs in the companionway, then slightly to starboard.

Sand the hull until smooth and squish the transducer into a bed of Marine Tex making sure there are no air pockets or voids.

This has worked for several years now.

Chris Hunsicker
Panama City FL
Moonglade
80 C25 #2126 sr/sk
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3d636b3127cce8c9d4c83e7890000002010" border=0>

Edited by - cch on 09/30/2003 07:50:19

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RoofRoof
Navigator

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USA
186 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2003 : 10:48:08

I forgot to mention in my post above, that I purchased a used fish finder on Ebay. It works perfectly as a depth instrument, and if I ever learn something about fishing, I'll have it for that too. It is fun to point out big fish to others on the boat too.

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