Calibrating a Depth Sounder

[Dean Strong]

Is it possible to recallibrate a depth sounder? We just returned from cruising the San Juan Islands here in Washington State, and during some minus tides, I discovered, by taking soundings with a line, that my depth sounder is off by 8.5 feet. I'm still having nightmares about all the times I probably very nearly ran aground, and blissfully didn't know it. So now I know exactly how much water is under the keel, but it sure would be nice to have the meter read the accurate depth, instead of always having to subtract 8.5 feet from the reading....Any thoughts?

 

[Bill Bell]

Depth Offset

Most depth sounders allow a depth offset to be entered. In this way you can set the depth sounder to give you the depth below the keel or the depth to the waterline. Look at the documentation on your depth sounder. It is normally an easy adjustment. Some units require that you go to calibrate mode and some older units have a screwdriver adjustment on the back of the display.Bill