The Standard Horizon Depth Sounder in my H30 has finally bit the dust. I have removed it to send to Standard for repairs, but they warned me that they don't fully support this older model any longer, and may not have parts to repair it. If that comes to pass, I'm trying to learn what else I could do with the 4" hole in my boat where it used to reside. The new Standard units are very expensive, and there are a number of nice sounders for much less $$$, but they all seem to be smaller, usually for a 2" hole. I suppose I could mill a circle of wood to put over the hole, and mount a new, smaller sounder thus, but I'd rather stick with something larger to avoid the "patch". Does anyone know of a unit, other than the $230 to $300 Standard units that fit in a 4" hole? Any other creative ideas I've overlooked? Thanks!
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Best Bet is to ask...
...the folks at your marina/boat yard. You can be quite sure that they've experienced that situation before.
...the folks at your marina/boat yard. You can be quite sure that they've experienced that situation before.
Been there
I had to replace a transducer with a smaller one a couple of years ago and the yard guys told me how so I did it myself. First, don't patch it - that will never be as strong as the rest of the hull and would be the proverbial disaster waiting to happen. They told me to cut back the existing hole by what is essentially counter-sinking the hole, i.e., fairing the existing hole back so the outside is twice the size. At that point, I glassed in the entire hole out to the new diameter with continuously larger glass layers until the hull was fair again. Only once the existing hole is gone can you drill the new one which could then be placed anyplace you want. Whole job took most of a day but comes with the pease of mind of not having to worry about a weak plugged hole. Don
I had to replace a transducer with a smaller one a couple of years ago and the yard guys told me how so I did it myself. First, don't patch it - that will never be as strong as the rest of the hull and would be the proverbial disaster waiting to happen. They told me to cut back the existing hole by what is essentially counter-sinking the hole, i.e., fairing the existing hole back so the outside is twice the size. At that point, I glassed in the entire hole out to the new diameter with continuously larger glass layers until the hull was fair again. Only once the existing hole is gone can you drill the new one which could then be placed anyplace you want. Whole job took most of a day but comes with the pease of mind of not having to worry about a weak plugged hole. Don
Oops, I wasn't clear!
I didn't mean the transducer, I meant the display part of the thing. The hole is in the cabin bulkhead, facing the cockpit. That's the part I need to replace. I understand that I can use the existing transducer with any brand sounder, but I'd sure like to find one that fits the existing 4" hole. Thanks
I didn't mean the transducer, I meant the display part of the thing. The hole is in the cabin bulkhead, facing the cockpit. That's the part I need to replace. I understand that I can use the existing transducer with any brand sounder, but I'd sure like to find one that fits the existing 4" hole. Thanks
Put a fishfinder in the hole
My SR mariner depth sounder died a year ago, I found a nice square Eagle fishfinder for about $100 at Boaters World and was able to mount it in the bulkhead where the round 4" display was. It works great as a depth sounder, voltmeter, and has speed and distance and water temp if you have the right sensors.
My SR mariner depth sounder died a year ago, I found a nice square Eagle fishfinder for about $100 at Boaters World and was able to mount it in the bulkhead where the round 4" display was. It works great as a depth sounder, voltmeter, and has speed and distance and water temp if you have the right sensors.
Depth Sounder at Cost
I ran into the same problem with my Standard speed sensor. I had model number 1. I sent it into Standard and they could not repair it. They told me that they would sell me a new one at cost. I paid less than 1/2 the westmarine price. Chances are they do the same for depth. One caution though. Don't be in a hurry. It took them several months to get the new speed sensor in. When it finally came in I learned that the new transducer was not compatible. I need to pull the boat to enlarge the hole, then insert the new transducer. I'm planning to do this at the end of February.
I ran into the same problem with my Standard speed sensor. I had model number 1. I sent it into Standard and they could not repair it. They told me that they would sell me a new one at cost. I paid less than 1/2 the westmarine price. Chances are they do the same for depth. One caution though. Don't be in a hurry. It took them several months to get the new speed sensor in. When it finally came in I learned that the new transducer was not compatible. I need to pull the boat to enlarge the hole, then insert the new transducer. I'm planning to do this at the end of February.
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