Depth Sounder

[Dean - Catalina 27]

My Horizon depth sounder does not respond. It reads a constant 2.7 ft. at all times. I removed the previous bottom paint that covered the transducer and recovered with transducer paint. I also followed the manual and adjusted the gain. No luck so far. Any suggestions? My guess is to replace the transducer and or the unit itself. Dean

 

[Langsey]

I also have a problem with my Horizon Depth Finder. It is the multiple function unit. My problem is that when I will get out to the middle of Lake Champlain the readings will change to straight lines or read a constant reading ie 10'in 200+'. I went to West Marine to ask for advice. The manager said he would loan me a transducer(with a security deposit)to drop overboard to get a reading to tell if it is the unit or the transducer that is defective.

 

[mg]

same here replaced it

this weekend with fishfinder eagle type for $100 Wallmart works well. the horizon just did the 2.7 wouldnt shoot through the hull and finaly gave out although im not convinced it was the transducer . the new one wouldnt shoot though the hull either. i didnt want it out board off the stern to foul so i mounted it on a piece of plexi along the outboard bracket. when i lift the bracket it comes out of the water. for sailing i leave the bracket down and simply tilt the motor. works so far.

 

[rp]

Raytheon had defective unit

Find out what program version you have. In your manual it shows you how to find out. Then call Raytheon and tell them the version. They replaced mine last summer because I was getting 2 ft depths in 60 ft of water. They told me the version was bad and sent me a new unit.RP

 

[Brian Stevenson]

I had a Mariner depth sounder that would sit at 6 feet, whch drove me to distraction. A friend of mine that was a WW2 instrument technician looked at it and quickly determined that the needle was touching the the front of the case. The distortion was probably due to heat and it took a "set" or warp. He solved the problem by placing a thin aluminum spacer between the instrument and the case--- voila, problem solved. I don't know the Horizon instrument, but any instrument needle has to have clearance to move, so look at this aspect. If the transducer alone is faulty, the needle should still return to zero when shut off. Static electricty may also hold the needle, but should discharge when wet, this is a more intermittent type of problem. My Mariner is a good instrument, just suffered from a small clearance problem. I suspect a lot of instruments suffer from this ailment, so check for clearance between the needle and the face plate.

 

[Tom]

Depth Sounder with a Needle. What year did you buy

that unit?....Is it from the '60's???. I haven't seen an analog depth sounder in years. These days you can buy an inexpensive $100-$200. depth sounder, fishfinder (and many times knotmeter) that are extreemly accurate and relatively trouble free.

 

[LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners]

Transducer

I've just taken my head unit in for repairs. I tried 2 different transducers & no luck. It's nice that West Marine will loan out the transducer to see if that's the problem. Try it.LaDonna

 

[June Bond]

Catalina dreamin!

Looking for information from those who own Catalina 27'.We are looking to buy a 1978. Petters Diesel inboard.We don't know much about them and interested in hearing from those who do. We are brand new to sailing. (We sail on my brothers sailboat.) There is no captains wheel...but told people often like those better. It has an inboard but rigged to attach an outboard. bluehue@hotmail.com