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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

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bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/07/2004 : 10:14:52

Several gift certificates to West Marine have led to a decision to install a fish finder on my C250 WB. Would like pros/cons on models
installed and used by forum members. A thru hull transducer is the preferred installation. Also locations of the display unit. The primary use of the unit is water depth and lake bottom vision. THANX
in advance once again. "Bear" really on the hard in upstate N.Y.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 01/07/2004 : 12:49:09

I just finished installing a fish finder from West Marine on my C25. I chose the Humminbird 100SX. It was on sale for only $70 and that included a transducer. I can't imagine why anyone would want to spend more $. This unit is sunlight visible, waterproof, and has a portable, quick release mount. It will see down to 600 feet depth. It shows the bottom just fine, and has a depth alert and a fish alert. I can differentiate between sand, rock, and weedy bottoms. I like the fish ID feature.

I installed the transom mount transducer inside my hull on a flat spot forward of the keel and it shoots through the fiberglass just fine. No holes, no mess, no leaks. The manual says doing so will reduce the max depth. I have only been out in water up to about 150 feet and it has always read the bottom just fine. I expect some loss of depth but I only really care about the last 100 feet anyways.

I decided on an unusual mount. Since I have a starboard autopilot, and a port mounted engine, the rear part of the starboard cockpit seat can't really be used (autopilot's in the way). I decided to make that area into a mini "nav center" and built a small wooden mount for my GPS, fishfinder, and autopilot. This is throughbolted to the combing. The tiller will clear it and all instruments. You can still sit there if you have to since it only is 5 inches wide (leaves plenty of seat space). If you are on a port tack or motoring, all the instruments are right in your face. If a starboard tack, you have to look behind you (audible depth / fish alarm comes in handy) or of course you can sit on the leeward side. The instrument mounts have tilt and swivels and can be aimed forward.

I used left over marine vinyl to make a cover for the nav center. All the instruments have a quick release and are stored in the boat when not in use.

Works great, I'll post a photo of the installation.