Chart Plotter w/ Fish Finder or just Chart Plotter?

Ward H

Ward H

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Nov 7, 2011
3,774
Catalina 30 Mk II Cedar Creek, Bayville NJ
I have a Humminbird Analog depth sounder and a Garmin 176C Chart Plotter. Normally I also have my iPad Air running Navionics in the cockpit and just use the Garmin for data display but some days that is just not a smart thing to do.
So, I am looking at the Raymarine Dragonfly 5" display Chart Plotters.

Is it worth the extra $100 to get the fish finder option just for use as a depth sounder?
I'm just day sailing in the bay where depth is no more than maybe 12'. It's the less than 3' areas I'm concerned with.
It might be nice to consolidate both into one unit but I was wondering if there were other advantages, other than keeping the Admiral amused by looking for fish.
 
Ken Cross

Ken Cross

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Oct 24, 2010
2,405
Hunter 30 Everett, WA
I like the fish finder option. It shows trends and fish (I also fish.) Our current boat only has depth and I'm planning to fix that. $100 is cheap for a nice upgrade.
 
C

Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
As Ken alludes to, you get underwater detail with fishfinder sonar not shown on just a depth finder. I use it as my primary and depthfinder readings as the backup. Chief
 
HukilauMike

HukilauMike

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May 31, 2004
858
Catalina 28 Branford
I went with the Lowrence Elite 5 Gold. I thought I just wanted a chart plotter as I have sailed this boat for many years without a depth sounder, but I have to admit that I really like having both. The Lowrance allows you to pick from four different views: chartplotter only (which includes speed, depth and water temp); fishfinder only; a chart plotter/fishfinder split screen; and compass view. I usually just use the chartplotter screen. Is it worth $100 extra to have a depth sounder? I think the answer is very much a personal preference as to whether a depth sounder is "necessary". I've seen people argue on this site and others very strongly on both sides. Me personally, I'd try and find a unit that didn't make me choose. I think the Lowrance was one of the highest rated units available, and it was one of the best values. Check out the price compared to the Raymarine. I bought mine on special at Defender. It was $100 off retail, plus a $100 manufacturer's rebate and they threw in the enhanced chart chip. Quite the deal.
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
22,977
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
HukilauMike said:
Is it worth $100 extra to have a depth sounder? I think the answer is very much a personal preference as to whether a depth sounder is "necessary". I've seen people argue on this site and others very strongly on both sides.
Click to expand
Glad you got such a nice deal and that it works for you.

I suggest that depth is not something to argue about. It is part of basic piloting and navigation and is an important tool in your arsenal.
 
Bob J.

Bob J.

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Apr 14, 2009
774
Sabre 28 NH
Another great feature of a "fish finder" once you get used to sorting out the clutter it let's you see what's under your boat. It also helps you identify whether the bottom is hard or soft based upon the return echo. Could be a good thing for those that anchor out frequently.
 
Ward H

Ward H

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Nov 7, 2011
3,774
Catalina 30 Mk II Cedar Creek, Bayville NJ
Stu Jackson said:
I suggest that depth is not something to argue about. It is part of basic piloting and navigation and is an important tool in your arsenal.
Click to expand
Yep, that is what I did on Saturday. I had to follow the channel by watching the depth sounder because it was too rough to have the iPad out and it was too rough and wet to focus on the tiny display of the Garmin 176C.

That's when I decided I needed a new Chart Plotter with a bigger display. It was also the nastiest conditions I've been in yet.

When I started out the winds were 18 to 20 so I sailed on a quick beam reach for about 3 1/2 miles. Then I fired up the OB for the mile ride down the ICW. That is when the wind built up higher with some gusts to 28. There was a long fetch and the wind was just off the nose making for a wet and wild ride. I had a blast and got to experience the highest winds I've seen while on my boat.

Mr Bill, they work well but when it gets that rough, I would rather just leave it in the cabin.
 
C

Calif. Ted

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Jun 8, 2004
2,925
Catalina 320 Dana Point
Worth it to have a bottom picture provided by a fishfinder probably, but it occurs to me that the transducer might be on the wrong end of the boat to alert you to the 3' places.;)
 
C

Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
Ted: Why? Its your boat, put the transducer wherever you want it. Chief
 
Ward H

Ward H

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Nov 7, 2011
3,774
Catalina 30 Mk II Cedar Creek, Bayville NJ
Hi Ted, If that extra 12' of warning is enough time for me to take evasive action I must be doing something wrong. :D :D
 
C

Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
Get 'em Ward! I guess we are going to have to work on a forward deflection sonar signal concept for these guys if they think the sonar is going to give them a 20 minute warning! ha Chief
 
Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,158
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
In my neck of the woods, we don't have a lot of thin water except in well known and well marked areas... such as the shoals near the Coronado bridge. That said, I'm intrigued by the addition of a bottom mapping display. My only condition would be how convenient it would be to mount the additional transducer. I have a perfectly good, though ancient, standard horizon depth sounder whose transducer is firmly ensconced in it's through hull.

But for another hundred bucks... if you're spending 500-800 on a larger display... I like it.

As far as bottom condition, I have always relied on the chart and a wax tipped lead weight on a fifty foot line. Worked well for the old salts and is still more accurate short of an underwater camera. The bottom material sticks to the wax... shell, sand, grass, etc... to validate what the chart indicates.
 
rpwillia

rpwillia

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Sep 29, 2008
1,936
Catalina 310 #185 Quantico
Do the combo

Ward, You should get the combo. I used to have a Humminbird fishfinder on the old boat. On the new one I have a Raymarine depth display with a Humminbird Chart Plotter. Love the chart plotter and wish I had gotten one with the fishfinder option.

For brands check them out. I am partial to Humminbird ;), and they used to (you should check) give you the option to swap the supplied transducer for the hockey puck kind that can be epoxied to the inside of the hull. I hear good things about Lowrance as well. Not too fond of Garmin or Raymarine plotter, but that is a personal preference.
 
HukilauMike

HukilauMike

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May 31, 2004
858
Catalina 28 Branford
Stu Jackson said:
Glad you got such a nice deal and that it works for you.

I suggest that depth is not something to argue about. It is part of basic piloting and navigation and is an important tool in your arsenal.
Click to expand

I've come to agree with you! But I must admit that prior to installing my current unit, I would have said that for my boat and the sailing I do, a depth sounder was nice, but not essential.
 
J

JTulls

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Dec 6, 2014
89
International 14 and J-Boat J80 San Diego
Definitely go for the sonar option if it's only $100, I'd say the additional detail/info will be well worth it. Also, not sure what charts you'll be running on the Raymarine, but if you go with Navionics, I think you can upload your sonar logs to update your sonar chart layer maps
 
Skipper

Skipper

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Oct 9, 2008
1,742
Bristol 29.9 Dana Point
Garmin just launched their EchoMap 44.
Comes with maps - check model versions, has AIS plotting, and DSC plotting which the Lowrance does not. Screen is about the same size but the garmin looks smaller overall. A full featured plotter with high res sonar for $300.

I looked at both in person, and I think the Lowrance screen is slightly clearer. But the 44 is worth investigating. I'd take either over raymarine.
 
Anonymous 121765

Anonymous 121765

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Jan 6, 2010
1,520
Ward,

I use a separate chartplotter & fishfinder.

Why?, I don't want to chance a dual instrument going SOUTH on me. I have always felt that if I lose my GPS, I may still see what water I have below me. If I lose my fishfinder, at least I know where I am by my GPS.

Sometimes, I find that some count on electronics more than we may have to count on our own devices (SHMATZ). I always have a backup plan in place.

If electrical systems fail, I can assure you it will occur at the worst possible time. Keep EXTRA backups, a hand held compass, charts & bearing compass for triangulation etc. These backup measures might just get you back to port.

These are my personal feelings only pal, I'm sure there will be folks that disagree with me & that's fine.

Remember the old adage, "The PRUDENT" navigator will never rely on only one form of navigation". Be smart, stay safe..................

CR
 
Ward H

Ward H

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Nov 7, 2011
3,774
Catalina 30 Mk II Cedar Creek, Bayville NJ
JTulls said:
Definitely go for the sonar option if it's only $100, I'd say the additional detail/info will be well worth it. Also, not sure what charts you'll be running on the Raymarine, but if you go with Navionics, I think you can upload your sonar logs to update your sonar chart layer maps
Click to expand
Yep, that is why I am leaning towards the Raymarine Chart Plotter. I like Navionics and use that now on my iPad and being able to save my sonar logs appeals to me.
I've been looking at how to upgrade charts from various manufactures as that can be costly but Navionics appears to have that issue solved.
 
Charlie98117

Charlie98117

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Jul 1, 2014
254
Hunter 34 Seattle
I just ordered the Raymarine unit with the chirps sonar, should receive next monday. Didn't think I really needed it but thought it was worth the extra bucks because more information is a good thing.

I'm wondering if there is a good iPad app where you can chart a course at home then import that course to the Raymarine unit.
 
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