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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Depth Guage Suggestions

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ChrisDara
1st Mate

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USA
88 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/26/2004 : 22:01:59

As the proud owner of a new 1979 C25 (new to me) I am looking for a simple depth guage. Economical but sturdy. The C25 I purchased is very plain Jane and I like that but I do find a depth guage very necessary.

I'm looking in the $99 - $150 range and want it to be fairly easy to read, not too small. Many of the reviews I have read on guages in this class are mixed, saying the displays fade out, collect water, or don't work well in choppy waters, etc. - or say the complete opposite.

Suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2004 : 22:16:06

I've had good luck with the Standard Horizon brand in the past. Used Humminbird on my center console sportfisherman with good results too. Both of those brands offer inexpensive models.
Currently have a Raymarine "tri-data" that I like a lot (it has a big display for my old eyes)

You can either get a 'puck' style transducer and shoot through your hull or a mushroom style thru-hull. Transom mounted transducers don't work out well on sailboats.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2004 : 23:33:22

I, too, have had good luck with my Standard Horizon DS45 Depth Sounder and I like it, but at over $300.00 for the entire package, it is double what you are looking to spend.

I know of a few sailors (and some on this forum) who have successfully used less expensive fishfinders for depth and temp data. With this kind of setup, you can see the bottom contour and if the winds dies, you could always turn on the fishfinder and get out your fishin' pole.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2004 : 23:51:11

When I get around to replacing my S-H sounder (wiped out display and unreliable transducer), I definitely want to go with a fishfinder. A picture is worth a lot of numbers. (You get the number, too.)

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 09/26/2004 23:52:15

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2004 : 00:12:49

humminbird 100SX $75 reads to 600 ft.

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Lee T
1st Mate

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26 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2004 : 00:13:11

I found a fishfinder (sorry, can't remember brand right now) at West Marine a year ago for $60. I epoxied the transducer to inside of the hull, just aft of the keel, about a foot to starboard. It works perfectly, and although I really only cared that it read up to 50' or so, it works until about 700'. It has a nice readout with a picture and numbers.

I think the important thing with cheaper brands is to keep them very protected from salt spray. While a raytheon will be ok outside, a cheaper brand must be installed in a protected area in the cabin, in my opinion. I guess one caveat is that I sail where there is plenty of water, so I don't really need to look at the depth very often.

A good place to look (around here at least) is the occasional clearance sales at West Marine.

Lee

Edited by - Lee T on 09/27/2004 00:17:25

RoofRoof
Navigator

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USA
186 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2004 : 13:40:20

I found a used fishfinder on Ebay for around $50. Epoxied the transducer it came with, to the inside of the hull, just under the V-berth. Works perfectly for depth, and helps with the fish too. Check out Ebay.

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2004 : 14:06:36

http://catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5894&SearchTerms=depth,sounder

Oscar
C42 # 76 "Lady Kay"
C250 # 618 Sold and settled, awaiting transfer of command.
http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/C250WB

Edited by - Oscar on 09/27/2004 14:07:12

John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2004 : 13:25:12

I like the fishfinder idea for a depth gauge. My boat came to me with one and I remember thinking that was interesting, but not very sailorly. The more I used the boat the more I liked the fishfinder. And the "shoot through the hull" transponder; no sense in drilling any more holes through the hull than you have to.

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ChrisDara
1st Mate

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USA
88 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2004 : 22:02:55

Thanks Oscar. I was looking at the Uniden. The one I was looking at looks a bit different but probalby just a different year/generation or whatever, same technology.

I'm with you, I'm surrounded by electronics at work and almost everywhere else for the matter. On the water the K.I.S.S. rule works for me.

Thanks to everyone for your ideas.

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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.