I have been reading in SAIL where smaller sailboaters (20 to 30 footers) are replacing old depth/speed indicators with $100 to $250 Fish Finders. Any feed back? Also, I see varied opinion regarding transducers, Inhull, transom etc. It appears newer technology, lower cost and advanced features makes this approach feasible. Both of my 1991 indicators need replacing and the manufacturer is no longer in business therefore I am considering this approach. I use a hand held GPS. Thanks
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K
Ken Koons
installing one currently
I'm currently mounting a Humminbird fishfinder on my 98 240. I haven't completed the installation. The unit was $78 at WalMart. I'm planning to shoot thru the hull. There have been many posts regarding the installation of the transducer. You might check the archives.
I'm currently mounting a Humminbird fishfinder on my 98 240. I haven't completed the installation. The unit was $78 at WalMart. I'm planning to shoot thru the hull. There have been many posts regarding the installation of the transducer. You might check the archives.
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ted
yep
I installed a fish finder on a previous boat, a West Wight Potter 19, a retractable keel trailor boat.... simply epoxied the transducer puck to the inside of the hull (not the liner), slightly ahead of the keel.. worked like a champ & the kids really enjoyed seeing the fish symbols of various sizes pop up on the display! Plus I had a 'pictorial' of sorts about what was going on on the bottom.... cool little gizmos... display MAY be harder to mount than the ubiquitous round depth sounder can tho.... I had a temporary mount so I could plug in the cables, slide the display onto the bracket, which was attached to a board I slid into the compaionway hatch area, & away we went...
I installed a fish finder on a previous boat, a West Wight Potter 19, a retractable keel trailor boat.... simply epoxied the transducer puck to the inside of the hull (not the liner), slightly ahead of the keel.. worked like a champ & the kids really enjoyed seeing the fish symbols of various sizes pop up on the display! Plus I had a 'pictorial' of sorts about what was going on on the bottom.... cool little gizmos... display MAY be harder to mount than the ubiquitous round depth sounder can tho.... I had a temporary mount so I could plug in the cables, slide the display onto the bracket, which was attached to a board I slid into the compaionway hatch area, & away we went...
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Vic
In the Florida Gulf area the fish finder ...
is good because it gives you a image feeling for how the bottom is sloping ... better than just one number after another. Vic
is good because it gives you a image feeling for how the bottom is sloping ... better than just one number after another. Vic
J
Jim Cook
Ditto everything said heretofor
I replaced a Datamarine unit with a Garmin. I have been very pleased with it and likewise like to see a rough contour of the bottom as opposed to just numbers. I picked the Garmin over Hummingbird because it would mount recessed into the bulkhead. I just had to cut the hole bigger. Jim Cook "Dream Chaser"
I replaced a Datamarine unit with a Garmin. I have been very pleased with it and likewise like to see a rough contour of the bottom as opposed to just numbers. I picked the Garmin over Hummingbird because it would mount recessed into the bulkhead. I just had to cut the hole bigger. Jim Cook "Dream Chaser"
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LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners.com
Go for it
I know several folks who've "upgraded" to a fishfinder and they're all perfectly happy. I'll be installing one soon too. LaDonna
I know several folks who've "upgraded" to a fishfinder and they're all perfectly happy. I'll be installing one soon too. LaDonna
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Ken Koons
Test mounting yesterday
I test mounted the $78 WAL Mart Humminbird I purchased yesterday. I used a little KY Jelly under the back berth of the boat and it immediately worked. I then built a silicone retention dam around the area. The silicone should be dry today. I will put the boat in the water tonight and use a two part epoxy to permanently mount the transducer. As for mounting the display unit on my 240 I'm strapping a nicely finished piece of teak (Cetol)between the horizontal stern rail seat supports(mounting with conduit straps) and running the fishfinder wires out the rear berth hatch and behind the seat hinges. Cost breakdown: Humminbird 100SX $79 16"x8" piece of teak $20 Epoxy $5 Silicone $3 Conduit Holders Lowe's $3 Total $107
I test mounted the $78 WAL Mart Humminbird I purchased yesterday. I used a little KY Jelly under the back berth of the boat and it immediately worked. I then built a silicone retention dam around the area. The silicone should be dry today. I will put the boat in the water tonight and use a two part epoxy to permanently mount the transducer. As for mounting the display unit on my 240 I'm strapping a nicely finished piece of teak (Cetol)between the horizontal stern rail seat supports(mounting with conduit straps) and running the fishfinder wires out the rear berth hatch and behind the seat hinges. Cost breakdown: Humminbird 100SX $79 16"x8" piece of teak $20 Epoxy $5 Silicone $3 Conduit Holders Lowe's $3 Total $107
C
Curtiss Grant
Ken, Did the
KY jelly come with the Hummingbird? Seriously, thanks for your comments. I just got a Piranha II but have not mounted it yet. I hope to sneak away mid week and do it. Thanks
KY jelly come with the Hummingbird? Seriously, thanks for your comments. I just got a Piranha II but have not mounted it yet. I hope to sneak away mid week and do it. Thanks
K
Ken Koons
KY jelly
The KY didn't come with the Fishfinder, but it was also available at the Wal Mart. I wonder what thoughts were going through that cashiers mind? That fellow has an interesting fishing trip coming up!
The KY didn't come with the Fishfinder, but it was also available at the Wal Mart. I wonder what thoughts were going through that cashiers mind? That fellow has an interesting fishing trip coming up!
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