With the new sailing season coming soon - I've been thinking about adding a depth sounder to my boat. In the archives there was some discussion about through hull units. I would like to add one without putting a hole through the hull. I checked with one supplier and they said it wouldn't work if the hull had a wood core. Doesn't the H23 have a wood core?. I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations on what model to buy and the best way to install a depthsounder.
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Just did it last year
The H23 hull is solid laminate but there is a liner inside some parts of the hull. The best way to check possible locations is to set the transducer on a ziploc bag of water and move it around inside the hull until you find a spot that gives a good solid reading. The spot should remain submerged when the boat heels or surfs off the top of a wave. The best locations are just forward of the keel near the centerline, i.e. under the seats in the cabin. Lots of people recommend toilet bowl wax for fixing the transducer inside the hull. It's cheap, solid and easy to remove if you ever need to. Wish I'd heard about that idea before I glued a PVC ring to the hull, set the transducer inside and filled it with epoxy. Oh well, maybe next time. Peter H23 "Raven"
The H23 hull is solid laminate but there is a liner inside some parts of the hull. The best way to check possible locations is to set the transducer on a ziploc bag of water and move it around inside the hull until you find a spot that gives a good solid reading. The spot should remain submerged when the boat heels or surfs off the top of a wave. The best locations are just forward of the keel near the centerline, i.e. under the seats in the cabin. Lots of people recommend toilet bowl wax for fixing the transducer inside the hull. It's cheap, solid and easy to remove if you ever need to. Wish I'd heard about that idea before I glued a PVC ring to the hull, set the transducer inside and filled it with epoxy. Oh well, maybe next time. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Chip Tobey
Late last season
I added a Norcross "Hawkeye" to my H23. It ran me about $100, if I recall correctly. After testing with the water in ziplock, I glued (epoxy) the transduced under the V-berth and ran the cable back under the starboard settee. It worked well for the two or three weeks last Fall I was able to sail. I ordered the surface mount bracket. The manufacturer's site is below.
I added a Norcross "Hawkeye" to my H23. It ran me about $100, if I recall correctly. After testing with the water in ziplock, I glued (epoxy) the transduced under the V-berth and ran the cable back under the starboard settee. It worked well for the two or three weeks last Fall I was able to sail. I ordered the surface mount bracket. The manufacturer's site is below.
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Bill
chewing gum
I tested the viability of locations for a fish finder transponder, by putting a well-chewed piece of Wrigley's Extra gum (Wintergreen, my favorite) on the unit, and got a good read. I left it there figuring I'd fix it more or less permanently when I figured out what material to use. That was two seasons ago. It's still Wrigley's.
I tested the viability of locations for a fish finder transponder, by putting a well-chewed piece of Wrigley's Extra gum (Wintergreen, my favorite) on the unit, and got a good read. I left it there figuring I'd fix it more or less permanently when I figured out what material to use. That was two seasons ago. It's still Wrigley's.
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Crazy Dave Condon
adhering to hull
It is true that readings through a wood core hull is not the best for readings if you are attaaching the transducer to the hull. On the 23, it is solid glass. I see all types of stough to adhere those rascaals to the hull. I would suggest that you lightly sand the gel off the top and go to the glass for good adhesion. The biggest thing to remember is that you cannot have any air between the base of the transducer and the water or the readings will be affected. Some things like chewing gum are not recommended Crazy Dave Condon
It is true that readings through a wood core hull is not the best for readings if you are attaaching the transducer to the hull. On the 23, it is solid glass. I see all types of stough to adhere those rascaals to the hull. I would suggest that you lightly sand the gel off the top and go to the glass for good adhesion. The biggest thing to remember is that you cannot have any air between the base of the transducer and the water or the readings will be affected. Some things like chewing gum are not recommended Crazy Dave Condon
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Rob
Thanks for the replies - more advice needed...
The gum idea reaches the interest of my youngest son - he would recommend bubblicious though...seriously though...putting the transducer in the front seems like it's too far from the display. Apart from the Hawkeye (which I haven't heard of before)- are there any other models that anyone might recommend? Humminbird and Piranha seem to be common brands. Additionally, what good locations have been used to mount the display?
The gum idea reaches the interest of my youngest son - he would recommend bubblicious though...seriously though...putting the transducer in the front seems like it's too far from the display. Apart from the Hawkeye (which I haven't heard of before)- are there any other models that anyone might recommend? Humminbird and Piranha seem to be common brands. Additionally, what good locations have been used to mount the display?
Humminbird Piranha
Hey Rob: I got a Piranha in Wal-Mart for $69. It works fine. The transducer cable was long enough to reach from the rear cabin bulkhead to the V-berth. However, I didn't want to put the transducer all the way up there because the farther away from the keel the transducer is mounted, the more it will pitch up and down and give unstable readings. The bow can also go airborne in choppy seas, in which case the signal can be lost. Initially, I mounted the display unit on the starboard side of the cabin bulkhead below the compass but it kept getting fouled by the mainsheet. I finally made a hinged console of 1/2-inch oak (any hardwood will do and a few coats of polyurethane will make it weather-resistant. I used those spring-loaded cabinet hinges and screwed them to the inside of the companionway frame. The display is visible from anywhere in the cockpit. At the end of the day, all I do is swing the console out of sight into the cabin. It worked so well I added a 12V adapter and bracket for the handheld GPS and the socket for the tillerpilot remote control. I'll post a picture one of these days. Peter H23 "Raven"
Hey Rob: I got a Piranha in Wal-Mart for $69. It works fine. The transducer cable was long enough to reach from the rear cabin bulkhead to the V-berth. However, I didn't want to put the transducer all the way up there because the farther away from the keel the transducer is mounted, the more it will pitch up and down and give unstable readings. The bow can also go airborne in choppy seas, in which case the signal can be lost. Initially, I mounted the display unit on the starboard side of the cabin bulkhead below the compass but it kept getting fouled by the mainsheet. I finally made a hinged console of 1/2-inch oak (any hardwood will do and a few coats of polyurethane will make it weather-resistant. I used those spring-loaded cabinet hinges and screwed them to the inside of the companionway frame. The display is visible from anywhere in the cockpit. At the end of the day, all I do is swing the console out of sight into the cabin. It worked so well I added a 12V adapter and bracket for the handheld GPS and the socket for the tillerpilot remote control. I'll post a picture one of these days. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Alex Kowblansky
Peter of "raven" / where's the transducer
I am about to mount the same depthsounder. Where did you ultimately mount the transducer if you did not go all the way to the v berth? Thanks Alex
I am about to mount the same depthsounder. Where did you ultimately mount the transducer if you did not go all the way to the v berth? Thanks Alex
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Jason Patterson
Modeling clay
I installed a depthsounder tranducer last spring. I used modeling clay and it holds great. Chewing gum breaks down. I mounteded it in front of the keel under the v-bert. If the keel leaves the water when it is choppy it doesn't matter. How long do you really think the keel is going to be out of the water? If it all of a sudden gets shallow it is too late anyway. So if you mount it in the front or the back. I don't think it really matters. Just if it is in your way.
I installed a depthsounder tranducer last spring. I used modeling clay and it holds great. Chewing gum breaks down. I mounteded it in front of the keel under the v-bert. If the keel leaves the water when it is choppy it doesn't matter. How long do you really think the keel is going to be out of the water? If it all of a sudden gets shallow it is too late anyway. So if you mount it in the front or the back. I don't think it really matters. Just if it is in your way.
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