[Rhodes22-list] GPS/Depth Sounder Questions

[David Bradley]

Michael, thanks very much.  To be sure I'm clear, you had a through-hull
transducer and mounted it inside the hull?  Very cool.

Dave


On 7/2/07, Michael D. Weisner <mweisner at ebsmed.com> wrote:
>
> David,
>
> I mounted my GPS (old Garmin unit) on the tiller handle, just behind the
> clip for the hiking stick.  It is out of the way but still close enough to
>
> read easily.  Prior to mounting it, I used to keep it in a mesh sack
> hanging
> from the stern rail, but this proved too hard to access when needed (time
> to
> power up and acquire).  My only problem nowadays is that I need more light
>
> to read these devices in darkness than the small light puts out.
>
> As far as depth meters, I too do not like to make holes in perfectly sound
> hulls.  I have discussed this before on the list (Nov 21, 2006) as
> follows:
>
> "The R22 drafts so little that a depth finder is not required - mine was
> acquired as a gift.  It sat for 3 years waiting for me to make a hole in
> the
> boat for it, something that I do not like to do.  Finally, I tried
> "shooting
> through the hull" (no hole) in the front of the Lazarette and found that
> it
> was reasonably accurate.  Great toy for people to watch but virtually
> useless on a craft that drafts 2 feet with a kick up rudder and
> centerboard."
>
> If you really feel the need for a depth meter, the location that I chose
> to
> place the transducer was on the floor of the Laz (bottom of boat),  just
> behind the cockpit drain fitting.  You can test it in the water by just
> placing the transducer at this point and placing a fender or suitable
> "wedge" to put downwards pressure on the transducer and power up the unit.
> You may need to move it around to get the best placement.  Once epoxied in
>
> place, check the calibration by measuring actual depth and compare.  Mine
> was about 3 inches off at anchor and very consistent while underway,
> except
> when heeled.
>
> Mike
> s/v Shanghai'd Summer ('81)
> Nissequogue River, NY
>
> From: "David Bradley" <dwbrad at gmail.com> Monday, July 02, 2007 3:03 PM
> > We're getting ready for a San Juan Islands trip in August and need to
> get
> > set up with GPS and depth sounder.  I have two questions for the list:
> >
> > 1.  Has anyone had success mounting a GPS unit on a swivel arm, either
> on
> > the stern rail or on the transom?  I'm considering a swivel arm that
> would
> > stay on the stern rail and the unit could be turned to face either
> > Captain's
> > chair.  The unit would have to be removable with wing nuts or something
> > like
> > that.  I've got 12V power in the cockpit through the laz, so that part
> > would
> > be easy.
> >
> > 2.  Has anyone had any recent experience with the in-hull (puck-shape)
> > style
> > of depth sounder transducer?  I have this aversion to drilling holes in
> my
> > boat (hence the jury rig above), and don't want to have to pull the boat
>
> > out
> > of the water if that can be avoided.  I'm wondering about the
> possibility
> > of
> > an in-hull transducer in the lazerette just to the side of the keel
> area.
> > They were skeptical at West Marine, but they don't understand the
> flatter
> > hull design of our boat.
> >
> > I have a hand-held depth sounder which I could still use if needed -
> have
> > never had the need and have been lucky enough not to find a bottom...
> but
> > that won't last.  Could also use a hand-held GPS but the display on the
> > fixed mount GPS units is sooooo much better and there is much more data
> > available.  Am thinking that I really should have a chart plotter when
> > venturing into Puget Sound and the San Juans.
> >
> > Any recent experiences and perspectives will be appreciated, as always.
> >
> > Dave B
> > __________________________________________________
> > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org , Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> >
> >
>
>
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>



-- 
David Bradley
+1.206.225.7793
dwbrad at gmail.com