Association Forum - Depth sounder / Knot meter

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

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.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Depth sounder / Knot meter

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

StSimon
Captain

Member Avatar

USA
298 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/15/2004 : 00:44:35

I just bought a Standard Horizon MD 150 Multi data? Anyway it gives me depth, speed and water temps. I got the transom mount paddlewheel for speed and temp and the puck transducer for depth. I really did not want to drill another hole in my hull even though that is their suggestion.

Does anyone out there have this model? Where did you mount the depth transducer. I realize I will need to try whatever spot I end up with before we go the epoxy or pvc pipe w/ mineral oil route but I was hoping someone could jumpstart the location process. I have a C25 SK SR if that makes a difference.

Thanks for the advice !!

Fair winds,

Andy, Breakin' Wind, 1984 C25 SK SR

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2004 : 09:27:03

Andy,

I understand your apprehension about drilling another hole in the bottom of your boat (I just did this myself a few weeks ago when I installed a Standard Horizon SIA53 through hull speed/temp transducer), but you may want to follow Standard Horizon's suggestion and mount it in a through hull. With a through hull mount, the paddlewheel transducer can be effortlessly removed from inside the boat for cleaning and to prevent damage during haulouts.

I mounted my paddlewheel a few inches forward of and on the opposite side of the head through hull valve up in the V berth. This was the recommended location for sailboats so as to have undisturbed water flow over the paddlewheel.

My Standard Horizon through hull depth sounder was mounted by the PO under the access board in the aft quarter berth. I'm not sure if this is the recommended location for a sailboat, but it appears to work without any problems.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3072 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2004 : 09:38:03

Unfortunately transom mount transducers don't work very well on a sailboat.
They are designed for powerboat hulls where a nice flat water surface is streaming by the hull (on plane).

On our boats, there's turbulence at the transom and the deadrise of our hull at the stern will have the transducer out of the water a lot.. and then (of course) there's the problems with having the boat heeled over.

IMHO... I'd send the transducer back and exchange it for the thru-hull style. Properly installed through-hulls fittings are NOT really a problem. I know that (emotionally speaking) drilling a hole in the bottom of a perfectly good boat is a scary event, but really, it will be ok...

Edited by - on

deastburn
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
334 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2004 : 21:29:04

I agree with previous post. For the depth transducer you need an area of the bottom that is flat. For me that is port side six inches out from the keel about a foot ahead of the keel (fin keel) tailing edge. That position gives ease of access from inside, a short wire run to the readout head, and a nice flat area of hull bottom.

Once you (carefully) determine the location, drill a small pilot hole (1/16" bit) from the outside. Double check location. Then drill the main hole using a properly sized hole saw, using the small pilot hole already drilled for the pilot bit on the hole saw. A properly sized hole saw will set you back about ten bucks, cheap insurance to ensure a perfect job.

Edited by - on

jsummerfield
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
96 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2004 : 05:52:30

I installed my fishfinder inside - without pokin' another hole in the boat. The Garmin GPSMAP 76C is on my wish list. A GPS indicates velocity made good but not the speed on the water.

Edited by - on

StSimon
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2004 : 08:41:19

For now I am going with the puck transducer. If I don't get good performance when I splash this Saturday I will go with the thru hull. I found a spot where there had been a hole at one time under the v-berth. It has been patched up and I could probably drill it back out.

As for the speed transducer, I suppose I will have to go with the thru hull transducer. I don't see any good spot to mount the transom paddle wheel. Has anyone mounted one there? I realize it's not the optimum location but is it possible to get a reading there? It appears the waterline would be to low.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

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.