After our recent haul out for fresh bottom paint we developed a pretty good leak around the depth sounder transducer...boat is now back in the yard to re-bed or replace the transducer. Anyone else ever have this issue?
No, I haven't had that happen. But it's not hard to imagine that the boat bends and twists in the slings and more if it is set up on stands. And then back into the water. So the sealant may have let go. I'm surprised it doesn't happen more.
There are removable transducers - in a sleeve, if you like; and install & seal ones?
Which one doe you have? If the transducer wasn't easy to remove, they may have torqued the mount, breaking the seal -- in which case you probably need to do something more aggressive.
Here, I believe are the different types of mounts:
Thanks for the ideas and input.
It is a Raymarine unit about 15 years old...looks like the water is coming out under the flange/nut with the gasket under it....I do suspect the strap was directly accross the transducer and broken the seal, as far as I can tell the unit can’t be removed from inside like the speed unit.
Once I get the report back from the yard I will post the final outcome.
Strap should not do that, in my experience. It could ruin a paddle wheel speed sensor. But unless you had a protruding transducer (like a forward or side-to-side) it shouldn't affect it. Does the yard use carpet or other pads on the canvas?
If you don't have a Sleeve-type mount, then you have to have the transducer properly rebedded.
I had mine leak after a haul out. Have no idea why, but it must have been leaking as the wood backing pieces were rotted so I replaced them with PVC boards. As this yard was in the middle of nowhere I had to use 5200 as that was all they had available. It has worked for 3 years now with no problem.
Update: depth sounder transducer rebedded, speed unit housing replaced and rebedded...no more leaks.
I guess after 15 years it was their time. Thanks to The Boat Yard and Marina in Fort Walton Beach for the fast haul out and repairs.
THIS is one of the reasons that every boat should have sling locations prominently marked on the top sides. You should see the damage that can be done when a boat hangs on it’s prop shaft in the sling.
The reason for having removable depth sounder is to allow replacement without having cut-it out; and, to avoid bottom paint over the transducer (which often interferes with the signal).
A properly padded sling and a property reinforced penetration will do fine with being "slung". A paddle wheel for a speedo always, and many non-flush depthsounders. would be likely toast.
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