Any thoughts on entry level sounders?

[dscribner]

The sounder set into the bulkhead hasn't worked since we've owned the boat. Currently we check depth with a zinc fishing weight on the end of a line with knots tied every 5 feet. That gets old. So, as I plan on the changes that I am going to make this winter, I am considering a simple, entry level sounder like a Faria or Norcross. I know there are larger, more robust electronics out there which quite literally cost more than my boat. These are not even a consideration. I'm looking at $150 max. So, does anybody have words of wisdom for me so I can avoid any pitfalls with the wrong device?

Thanks!

Don

 

[All U Get]

Hi Don,
West Marine has a handheld depthfinder for $70 and two fishfinders under $100. I'm sure there are more out there.
All U Get

 

[Merlin Clark]

A fishfinder with the transducer mounted inside the hull works for me and keeps me entertained!
Also, (cruising along at) 2-4 knots is pretty good trolling speed.....

 

[Chris Blubaugh]

What brand are you using?

The two from West Marine are transom mounts, I believe.

A fishfinder with the transducer mounted inside the hull works for me and keeps me entertained!
Also, (cruising along at) 2-4 knots is pretty good trolling speed.....

 

[Merlin Clark]

The two from West Marine are transom mounts, I believe.

Yeah, those little pucks mount inside easily and are small enough to tuck away. Better than my thru hull type that I didn't want to cut a hole for.

 

[David in Sandusky]

New electronics for the old puck

I was able to figure out the frequency of my old puck, then find a simple $80 set of electronics to go with it. The old "pucks" are very solid, and have no moving parts so they are good performers, even with new electronics if you match the frequencies of the instrument, and the puck.

If that didn't work for you, then I would buy a new set, and mount the new puck inside the hull - directions to do that will probably come with the unit, or there are good descriptions on the archives of this site.

 

[Wanderer138]

Piranha transom-mount fishfinder at Walmart: $60. Mount the transducer inside the hull forward of the keel near the centerline so it will remain submerged even when the boat is heeled hard. Measure the water depth manually so you know what the sounder should read. Place the transducer at different locations inside the hull using petroleum jelly to provide the acoustic coupling. Press the transducer into the grease carefully so as not to trap any air underneath it, then press it tight to the hull.

Once you find a good spot (indicated by a good clear signal) clean the area carefully to remove all the grease then reapply the transducer to the inside of the hull using epoxy thickened with microsilica to the same consistency as the petroleum jelly. Don't use filler (it doesn't conduct sound as well) and use only enough epoxy to provide a good, tight, air-free connection to the hull. You want to be able to remove the transducer without too much effort if it ever fails. I like fishfinders because they show a bottom profile instead of just numbers which gives me a very clear idea of how fast the bottom is rising. Good luck.

 

[klemsaba]

A fish finder works great. I got the Eagle Cuda 350s with a basic GPS module... handy for marking favorite locations and monitoring speed. Not the greatest with navigation but I sail on a small lake so it's fine for me. I like seeing how far we travel on our sailing outings. I only wish I could download the GPS data to my computer. Seeing the profile view is a plus but has induced some pucker moments seeing the bottom rise fast! My 7 year old gets a kick out of seeing the fish symbols as we're sailing.

I mounted the transducer to the hull with wax from a simple toilet bowl ring. Works perfectly.

 

[Sumner]

. I got the Eagle Cuda 350s with a basic GPS module...... I only wish I could download the GPS data to my computer...
I mounted the transducer to the hull with wax from a simple toilet bowl ring. Works perfectly.

We also bought a ...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor-navigation/Cuda 350.html

...Cuda 350 and I have it mounted on the lifeline. We can slide it back so that Ruth can see it while on the tiller or ahead if I want to see it. It has worked well and one of the main reasons we bought it was for the GPS location output that we have going to ...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/inside-25.html

...a Standard Horizon VHF with DSC. Looks like it is still around $200, so for $50 more than your budget you would have the GPS and the output for DSC which we consider a big safety feature.

Ours is ...

...transom mounted, but our older depth finder that still works is mounted inside to the hull with the wax mentioned.

The Cuda can output position which is great for the DSC, but the real negative is that you can't input waypoints into it. If we could do that from SeaClear then I'd give it more stars. To get the waypoints to the cockpit we now use a Garmin 76 out there, but I just got an outdoor 7" portable TV for $80 that has a good enough screen to see in the cockpit and will be using that with the SeaClear in the future.

I'd like to mount an inside transducer with either the wax or epoxy to the hull of the Endeavour. Has anyone done this on a boat with a thicker hull. I'm not sure how thick the Endeavour's hull is, but know it is a lot thicker than the Mac's,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

 

[Benny17441]

We have used Unidens and they seem to work well but get something with a large enough readout to be useful in a sailboat. For a large readout on a budget perhaps a fishfinder is the best.

 

[lfisher53]

I mounted a Humminbird 560 FF on a swivel arm in the companionway. Cost about $130

 

[Merlin Clark]

We also bought a ...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor-navigation/Cuda 350.html

...Cuda 350 and I have it mounted on the lifeline. We can slide it back so that Ruth can see it while on the tiller or ahead if I want to see it. It has worked well and one of the main reasons we bought it was for the GPS location output that we have going to ...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/inside-25.html

...a Standard Horizon VHF with DSC. Looks like it is still around $200, so for $50 more than your budget you would have the GPS and the output for DSC which we consider a big safety feature.

Ours is ...

...transom mounted, but our older depth finder that still works is mounted inside to the hull with the wax mentioned.

The Cuda can output position which is great for the DSC, but the real negative is that you can't input waypoints into it. If we could do that from SeaClear then I'd give it more stars. To get the waypoints to the cockpit we now use a Garmin 76 out there, but I just got an outdoor 7" portable TV for $80 that has a good enough screen to see in the cockpit and will be using that with the SeaClear in the future.

I'd like to mount an inside transducer with either the wax or epoxy to the hull of the Endeavour. Has anyone done this on a boat with a thicker hull. I'm not sure how thick the Endeavour's hull is, but know it is a lot thicker than the Mac's,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Hi Sum,
I mounted mine with the wax ring on my Morgan which is 5,000 lbs at 25' 11" with a pretty thick hull. Works great. Needs a spot without an inner liner.
I found "the spot" by placing the 'ducer in a big ziplock with water covering the head and wet the hull for good contact/transmission of the sound waves. Saved some clean up.

 

[dscribner]

Boy! Thanks for all the input! Lots to digest!

 

[Sumner]

Hi Sum,
I mounted mine with the wax ring on my Morgan which is 5,000 lbs at 25' 11" with a pretty thick hull. Works great. Needs a spot without an inner liner.
I found "the spot" by placing the 'ducer in a big ziplock with water covering the head and wet the hull for good contact/transmission of the sound waves. Saved some clean up.

Thanks, anyone else do this with a thick hull? I'd like to have it inside to avoid growth on it while the boat is in the water.

I think we will still have the portable on board as a spare or mounted on the stern...

...like we did when we moved the boat after buying it. It is visible in the picture above by the stern ladder. In that location the transducer is also easily cleaned from the dinghy but is vulnerable to damage. It did work fine on the 70 mile trip,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

 

[rpwillia]

Humminbird

If you buy one of their fishfinders, you can trade in the transducer that comes with it for one of the hockey puck ones that are made for epoxying inside on the hull. Work great and it is nice to see what is below you in addition to knowing the depth. You can find the Piranha for under $100.00.

There is also this one, but I have no experience with it. At $49.00 it may be just the ticket.
http://www.harborfreight.com/portable-fish-finder-94511.html

 

[Quoddy]

Easy Install

We got a Humminbird because you can shoot through the hull with the standard transducer.You can trade transducers too, for free. No holes, no fouling, mounted in bilge with toilet wax ring material. You have many screen choices, one of which is depth in large numbers with bottom contour in the background. Display at companionway.

 

[joes new addiction]

You guys are great!
Beening a newbie sailor and trying to refit my '71 PT 1/4 and having NO idea where to get what I THINK'D be cool and need on her, I get the idea and POOF! here it is on this site!
I read just about every thread, try to figure out what you are taking about, and start my info search.
This weeks "must have",a fish/dept finder.
I've look all over at the sporting good stores in my area, haven't really seen any "in hand" to figure out what I need or how it all works in relation to my needs, (I'm not a fisherman, motorcyles is my other addiction, so I don't know "what" I need).
I've looked on line for fish finders as well as Ebay, but the "puck" mounted inside the hull is what has me confused.
I looked at one manufactor assy list and they list a hull mounted sensor for $299? The fish finder is only like $199??
I think the Hummingbird 560 FF seems to be the most popular, so that's what I'll get, that all being said, How do I get the "puck" with the 560??????
If I buy oe at a sporting goods store, will the "puck" come with it?
Joe
So much to learn, so few $$

 

[Stu Jackson]

You guys are great!
....I get the idea and POOF! here it is on this site!
I read just about every thread, try to figure out what you are taking about, and start my info search.

You might want to also click on See All Posts from All Sites and the Ask All Sailors, will get you a lot more than just the O'Day posts.

Seems like you've done that, woops...

Good luck.

 

[Merlin Clark]

You guys are great!
Beening a newbie sailor and trying to refit my '71 PT 1/4 and having NO idea where to get what I THINK'D be cool and need on her, I get the idea and POOF! here it is on this site!
I read just about every thread, try to figure out what you are taking about, and start my info search.
This weeks "must have",a fish/dept finder.
I've look all over at the sporting good stores in my area, haven't really seen any "in hand" to figure out what I need or how it all works in relation to my needs, (I'm not a fisherman, motorcyles is my other addiction, so I don't know "what" I need).
I've looked on line for fish finders as well as Ebay, but the "puck" mounted inside the hull is what has me confused.
I looked at one manufactor assy list and they list a hull mounted sensor for $299? The fish finder is only like $199??
I think the Hummingbird 560 FF seems to be the most popular, so that's what I'll get, that all being said, How do I get the "puck" with the 560??????
If I buy oe at a sporting goods store, will the "puck" come with it?
Joe
So much to learn, so few $$

Joe,
Just get the cheapest option (which is I think a transom mount) and use the transducer inside the hull.
Any of the transducers will work this way. The one you saw for 299 was probably a thru hull type. I understand companies are now offering transducer just for mounting inside and this is there adaptation to what sailors have been doing for quite some time.
The important thing for me was to get the 'ducer as far forward as possible (I want to see what's in front) and close to centerline, making sure it will be below the surface of the water when heeled.

 

[sailcruiser]

You guys are great!
Beening a newbie sailor and trying to refit my '71 PT 1/4 and having NO idea where to get what I THINK'D be cool and need on her, I get the idea and POOF! here it is on this site!
I read just about every thread, try to figure out what you are taking about, and start my info search.
This weeks "must have",a fish/dept finder.
I've look all over at the sporting good stores in my area, haven't really seen any "in hand" to figure out what I need or how it all works in relation to my needs, (I'm not a fisherman, motorcyles is my other addiction, so I don't know "what" I need).
I've looked on line for fish finders as well as Ebay, but the "puck" mounted inside the hull is what has me confused.
I looked at one manufactor assy list and they list a hull mounted sensor for $299? The fish finder is only like $199??
I think the Hummingbird 560 FF seems to be the most popular, so that's what I'll get, that all being said, How do I get the "puck" with the 560??????
If I buy oe at a sporting goods store, will the "puck" come with it?
Joe
So much to learn, so few $$

Joe, we. All understand the few $$ end of things. Remember BOAT=Break Out Another Thousand

I suggest you look at eBay or Craigslist and see if you can save some cash buying used. What I saved I put into other items on the wish list. There are reputable resale shops too. Bacon Sails comes to mind for used sails is one example. Then when you are outfitted you can see what or where you do or don't want better equipment. you'll be surprised how the list changes. I would suggest a new radio with DSC though.

SC