Depth Sounder instalation on Hunter 23.5

[Jib Davidson]

My wife and I enjoy sailing throughout the North Florida area. Much of this is in very shallow water in the Gulf of Mexico. As such, our need for an accurate depth sounder is very important. Currently, we use an Eagle depth sounder/fish finder with the transducer located under the aft cabin. I am tired of replacing the unit (I am on my fifth one) and, once again, it is broken. Last week it registered 750 feet of water less than one mile off shore!I want to install a real depth sounder with a thruhull fitting. How do I install a thruhull in a water ballast boat? It can't be too far foward or it will be out of the water when we heal. I don't want a transom mount as the bow of the boat would be 24 feet ahead of the transducer. What can you suggest? Jib Davidson ffs@gnv.fdt.net

 

[Bill Boudreau]

Forward of Keel

As a general rule a through hull should be forward of the keel on a sailing vessel to prevent shadowing and cavitaion across the face of the transducer.I would suggest contacting the boats manufacturer for advise on the through hull installation. I don't know the details of your ballast arrangement and have no experience on fitting a through hull on a boat like this.