[Rhodes22-list] Depthsounder

[Mary Lou Troy]

We went with quick and easy after fussing trying to get the transom-mount 
transducer to our fishfinder to shoot through the hull. You are supposed to 
be able to do that but we kept getting stymied by turbulence. It would read 
fine until we got into shallow water.  We ended up mounting the transducer 
on a piece of PVC and using a hook over the stern rail and u-bolts to hold 
it to the swim ladder. You can see the PVC (sort of) in the pic at 
http://www.kaynor.org/Rhendezvous/mdscf0005.jpg  It is out of the way, 
doesn't interfere with the rudder, seems to read pretty accurately and is 
easily removable. It was supposed to be temporary but we've decided we like 
it there.

The fishfinder is a Raymarine. It has several modes including one with 
large depth numbers that are easily readable from anywhere in the cockpit. 
If you look at the larger version of that pic (at 
http://www.kaynor.org/Rhendezvous/dscf0005.jpg), you can almost read the 
numbers.

Mary Lou

At 12:42 PM 2/17/2003 -0500, you wrote:
>I am at home waiting for blizzard conditions to develop this afternoon.
>Forecast here is for less snow than MJM, but still enough (10-24").
>Fortunately, I went to the boat show yesterday. ;-)
>
>I've been thinking about depthsounder installation and transducer location.
>I didn't see anything about this in the FAQ, but recall having discussed it
>on the list.
>
>I've never been a fan of transom mounted depthsounders, but they are quick
>and easy, and usually cheaper.  I recall some have mounted them inside the
>cabin, potted in epoxy and shooting through the hull, but where did you do
>this?  What type of trasducer did you use (e.g., does it make a difference
>whether you mount a trasnducer intended to be transom-mounted or
>through-hull in this manner?  Are there portions of the hull bottom that are
>less-suitable for thie (i.e., cored)?
>
>Ideally, I would like to mount a relatively inexpensive transducer somewhere
>forward of the keel in a safe location in a locker or beneath the deck.  I
>would also like to keep it simple and inexpensive.
>
>BTW, on my last sailboat, I used the keel as a depthsounder.  I figure the
>R22 deserved better.
>
>Jim Connolly
>
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