Depth vs. Fish Finder

[Reddirt]

I'm new to sailing. We are getting a West Wight Potter 19 a week from tomorrow!!!
I'd like to buy a depth finder. But, I was wondering if we bought a fish finder would it also work as a depth finder?

Thanks,
Reddirt

 

[sinnettc]

I don't see why not as long as it shows the bottom countours.

 

[sail4ever]

I have used a fishfinder on two sailboats with better information than a knot meter gives. You will see the contour of the bottom as it rises or falls and any objects in the water. I have seen trees below when I sailed overhead in flooded waters. Your young passengers will be fascinated with the fish that are shown. "Fearless."

 

[dserrell]

1

1

 

[Reddirt]

Thanks

Thanks for the info!
Reddirt

 

[Stu Jackson]

Many folks choose to mount their displays where they can see them in the cockpit. Many use swing arms to do so. Humminbird also makes a line of fishfinders.

 

[cephius (Dave)]

I installed one on my Catalina 22. Since I sail on the upper Mississippi river, the fish finder was useful in "seeing" the bottom, not just giving me the depth.

I mounted the display on a 2' long pivot arm made of mahogany just inside the companion way. When in use it was just above the step in the center of the opening. I pushed it aside to enter and leave the cabin.

 

[dserrell]

1

1

 

[caguy]

I like my Garmin 185s. It has GPS, depth, fish finder, tracking, anchor drag warning, etc. It will even couple this your VHS for DSC capability. That is you can push one panic button and the Coast Guard will know where you are and in distress.
I mounted mine in the companion way on a swing arm. Best part is it was only $125 on Ebay.

 

[Solace of Freedom]

Raythem

I debated the 'fishfinder' vs. 'depth no. read out only' for my Catalina 22 last winter. You can get fishfinders for relatively cheap. But, they would likely have to be mounted on a swing-arm from the cabin as mentioned. I went w/ the Raythem Bi-data 20 for $300. It has speed and depth. Very happy w/ it so far; easy to install and use, simple screen (if not fishing, really no need for a bottom read-out), mounted to cabin exterior. Regaurdless, I recommend getting one that gives speed, too.

 

[Jonrod222]

My boat had a fish finder when I bought it. It used a through hull with speed, depth and temp. I always used the screen that just showed the readout of speed and depth. When my boat was struck by lightening and fried the fishfinder, I decided to go with Raymarines st 40 bidata unit that gives depth and speed. The hole was already there for the speed transducer, and epoxied the depth transducer to the hull. I like knowing the speed through the water. When your top speed is 6 knots and your heading into a 2 to 3 knot current, it helps you to know when the sails are trimmed right scince GPS gives speed over ground.

 

[Ross]

Bottom read-outs are nice for seeing the change in contour.

 

[Merlin Clark]

Hi, like your rig!
I want to do the same with my Morgan 24 but haven't had any luck finding the swing arm. Could you advise?
Merlin

 

[Merlin Clark]

caguy - where to get swing arm?

I like my Garmin 185s. It has GPS, depth, fish finder, tracking, anchor drag warning, etc. It will even couple this your VHS for DSC capability. That is you can push one panic button and the Coast Guard will know where you are and in distress.
I mounted mine in the companion way on a swing arm. Best part is it was only $125 on Ebay.

Like your rig!
Want to do the same with my Morgan 24 but haven't had much luck finding a swing arm. Can you advise?