depth finder
- Thread starter stevieb
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I installed a Hummingbird 650 on my 25 footer. It's a low end unit but I don't need much. The original DF was about 4" diameter and was mounted thru the cabin wall. The new ones are 2" diameter. SO I pulled it out and gutted it, saving the mounting ring and all external parts. I made a reducer ring for the outside and a blank plate to cover the inside (had been the components board for the original.) The transducer I epoxied to the inside of the hull. The clincher here is I already had a huge hole in need of something.
I also use a fishfinder and set the transducer in toilet seal wax. Used a gallon plastic bag with the transducer in water to find a good spot to shoot through the hull.
The fishfinder provides entertainment for the kids.
I mounted the head on my bimini frame and made a sunbrella cover for it. One of the SBO members made a mount that hangs from the lifeline. Could do this and stow the head in the cabin, exposing it to the elements only when in use.
The fishfinder provides entertainment for the kids.
I mounted the head on my bimini frame and made a sunbrella cover for it. One of the SBO members made a mount that hangs from the lifeline. Could do this and stow the head in the cabin, exposing it to the elements only when in use.
a transom mount transducer is the same as any other, but with a different mounting option for attaching it..... but dont mount it on the transom.
the transom is quite often out of the water due to wave action or heeling of the boat.
the best place is just forward of the keel or centerboard and level so it points straight down.
if you want simple and affordable, get a good brand of fishfinder, and you dont need all the bells and whistles that usually drive the cost up. all you really need to do is measure depth.....
the models with the temp and speed wheel are nice but it means a bit more difficult install because you will have to cut a hole in the bottom of your boat to install it...... BUT, it can be set in wax and used for depth only until you get around to doing the full install at a later date.
the speed wheel will only tell you is how fast the water is slipping past the hull.... your GPS will tell you what your actual SOG (speed over ground) is...
thanks for that response. I didn't consider heeling or wave action. Is your idea a thu-hull mount in front of the keel? If not how would I mount it there?
I use a Humminbird PiranhaMAX 170. Surprisingly it fit perfectly into the 4" hold left by the old standard horizon depth finder. I used a piece of neoprene for a gasket. Transducer mounted under the v using wax (Toilet wax ring) to stick it to the hull.
2.4 knots
under the v-berth....
or, on our smaller fiberglass boats its not uncommon to cut a hole and install a deck plate in the floor of the liner to access the forward part of the keel, because thats also a good place to install a bilge pump....
Yeah, foreward of the keel. The plastic bag with water and the 'ducer inside will allow you to find a good spot. Wet the inside of the hull, place the bag/ducer on that spot and have your helper turn it on. I checked 3-4 spots before finding the best return.
Obviously the boat will need to be in the water for this.
Obviously the boat will need to be in the water for this.
+1 Melinuxo and DScribner
Get a fish finder, they are about the same price. I had a Hunnubird 100SX which the Piranha is an equivalent. Humminbird will allow you to swap the transducer that comes standard for a small fee to get the hockey puck one that is made for epoxying to the inside of the hull.
Get a fish finder, they are about the same price. I had a Hunnubird 100SX which the Piranha is an equivalent. Humminbird will allow you to swap the transducer that comes standard for a small fee to get the hockey puck one that is made for epoxying to the inside of the hull.
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