I have an operational Datamarine Depth gauge on my C&C. However, after careful inspection, the back of the unit appears to be very corroded. I checked the Datamarine web site and the tech reps indicate that units can be sent back for repairs. Not quite sure what the service center will do with this unit - replace the back of the unit? Have anyone had any preventetive maintenance done with Datamarine? Is it worth it to fix up a 20 year unit or just buy a new one? Any recommendation on what a low cost new depth gauge should go for? Thanx for insights.
Datamarine Depth Gauge Health Check
- Thread starter Tony5898
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Depth Sounders
Someyears ago, I had a Moor EMS depth sounder on a previous boat that died. My sense of getting it repaired was to not spend more than half what a new one would cost (around $400). Moor repaired the old one for $125+shipping. A bargain. I suggest asking Datamarine what it would cost to evaluate your unit and to estimate the cost of repair first. New low end depth sounders can be had for around $120 (Uniden single function) to around $600 for fancier depth/log/alarm models. Average price is probably in the $350-$450 range.
Someyears ago, I had a Moor EMS depth sounder on a previous boat that died. My sense of getting it repaired was to not spend more than half what a new one would cost (around $400). Moor repaired the old one for $125+shipping. A bargain. I suggest asking Datamarine what it would cost to evaluate your unit and to estimate the cost of repair first. New low end depth sounders can be had for around $120 (Uniden single function) to around $600 for fancier depth/log/alarm models. Average price is probably in the $350-$450 range.
I had mine repaired
Tony, I had my Datamarine unit replaced with a refurbished one from a company that is now handling repairs for Datamarine units. To be honest - it would have been cheaper to buy a new unit but then I would have a gapping hole in my cockpit where the unit was (or some kind of bad cover-up) not to mention the uniformity I have with the other 2 Datamarine units (wind and knot meter). So that's why you may want to have the unit repaired. Rob
Tony, I had my Datamarine unit replaced with a refurbished one from a company that is now handling repairs for Datamarine units. To be honest - it would have been cheaper to buy a new unit but then I would have a gapping hole in my cockpit where the unit was (or some kind of bad cover-up) not to mention the uniformity I have with the other 2 Datamarine units (wind and knot meter). So that's why you may want to have the unit repaired. Rob
call datamarine
This past winter I had Datamarine bench check my depth instrument and they gave it a clean bill of health and recommended that I buy a new transducer which I did. I put the transducer in last weekend and the boat goes in the H2O tomorrow. I'll let you know if this was the right fix or not. The techs I talked to seemed competent and their prices were OK. More to follow...
This past winter I had Datamarine bench check my depth instrument and they gave it a clean bill of health and recommended that I buy a new transducer which I did. I put the transducer in last weekend and the boat goes in the H2O tomorrow. I'll let you know if this was the right fix or not. The techs I talked to seemed competent and their prices were OK. More to follow...
turnaround
what was the turnaround on the unit while at datamarine and how did u cover the hole in the meantime?
what was the turnaround on the unit while at datamarine and how did u cover the hole in the meantime?
Happy with repair for about a year
I had a 20 year old Datamarine unit repaired by them. The display had gone bad, and they satisfactorily repaired it. But, after a couple of years, the unit would misbehave from time to time (like when I really needed it), so I replaced it this year. (The submerged rocks in Maine are especially unforgiving.) The new unit almost covers up the gaping hole in the bulkhead. I made an teak plug and coated it with epoxy. When dry, I sealed it in with 3M 4200 and sanded it flush, so it looks acceptable. If any large part of it showed, I would have covered it with gelcoat as well.
I had a 20 year old Datamarine unit repaired by them. The display had gone bad, and they satisfactorily repaired it. But, after a couple of years, the unit would misbehave from time to time (like when I really needed it), so I replaced it this year. (The submerged rocks in Maine are especially unforgiving.) The new unit almost covers up the gaping hole in the bulkhead. I made an teak plug and coated it with epoxy. When dry, I sealed it in with 3M 4200 and sanded it flush, so it looks acceptable. If any large part of it showed, I would have covered it with gelcoat as well.
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