I have an '79 O'day 23 and would like to install a depthsounder using a in hull puck, in lieu of a thru-hull. Don't like holes in the hull. West Marine was selling a Standard Horizon, but now have pull them from their catalog. Need some pros and cons. Thanks.
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in hull transducer mounting
I had a 25 catalina with a transducer mounted in a "water box" a plastic box in the hull filled with water. It worked ok. I later replaced the unit with a new one and bonded the transducer directly to the hull with epoxy. It worked fine and no through hull. Go for it but pick a good location (not over the keel for instance). The transducer does not want to be above the waterline while heeled either. Directly in front of the keel is good or behind it. dave
I had a 25 catalina with a transducer mounted in a "water box" a plastic box in the hull filled with water. It worked ok. I later replaced the unit with a new one and bonded the transducer directly to the hull with epoxy. It worked fine and no through hull. Go for it but pick a good location (not over the keel for instance). The transducer does not want to be above the waterline while heeled either. Directly in front of the keel is good or behind it. dave
Same idea
I have the same boat as you and have also considered this project. Please consider posting your eventual decision on a unit and how you did it. thanks.
I have the same boat as you and have also considered this project. Please consider posting your eventual decision on a unit and how you did it. thanks.
I did it with my O'Day 27
It works fine. I bought a Garmin fishfinder. I like it better than a digital readout because you can see the general contour of the bottom in addition to reading depth. The trick is to make sure there are no air pockets below the sounder. 1)I cut a 6" pvc pipe contour to the hull and about 4" at the short side. 2)Mount it with epoxy and wedge cotton around the edge to make a seal (cotton soaks up some epoxy and dries to a water-tight seal). 3)rub vaseline around the bottom of the sounder (this will allow you to remove it later if necessary) 4)cut a groove in the PVC (from the top) to feed the wires out. 5)fill pipe at least 1 inch deep with mixed epoxy resin. 6)as it starts to set up, push the sounder into the thickening goo and make sure it is level. Hold in place until it sets. 7)Feed the wires out the groove and slide a 6" PVC cap over the top to keep dirt (etc.) out. It's really an easy job. I messed up the 1st time by not getting a good seal around the PVC. When I went to fill the resin to 1", it leaked out the bottom. If the hull is really unlevel, you can pour in layers to build up a level surface. I've heard that some guys go a step further and seal up the wire groove with silicone, then pour a light oil (mineral oil) to insure the sounder stays under the air surface. Good luck, Capt Jim If you have any other questions, come see me at the American Sailing Association forums: www.american-sailing.com/forum
It works fine. I bought a Garmin fishfinder. I like it better than a digital readout because you can see the general contour of the bottom in addition to reading depth. The trick is to make sure there are no air pockets below the sounder. 1)I cut a 6" pvc pipe contour to the hull and about 4" at the short side. 2)Mount it with epoxy and wedge cotton around the edge to make a seal (cotton soaks up some epoxy and dries to a water-tight seal). 3)rub vaseline around the bottom of the sounder (this will allow you to remove it later if necessary) 4)cut a groove in the PVC (from the top) to feed the wires out. 5)fill pipe at least 1 inch deep with mixed epoxy resin. 6)as it starts to set up, push the sounder into the thickening goo and make sure it is level. Hold in place until it sets. 7)Feed the wires out the groove and slide a 6" PVC cap over the top to keep dirt (etc.) out. It's really an easy job. I messed up the 1st time by not getting a good seal around the PVC. When I went to fill the resin to 1", it leaked out the bottom. If the hull is really unlevel, you can pour in layers to build up a level surface. I've heard that some guys go a step further and seal up the wire groove with silicone, then pour a light oil (mineral oil) to insure the sounder stays under the air surface. Good luck, Capt Jim If you have any other questions, come see me at the American Sailing Association forums: www.american-sailing.com/forum
Those ideas work,here's another I heard,
I used a puck and a HUMMIN BIRD ($69) fish finder.I used 6" pvc pipe,mineral oil (resists air bubbles and dosnt'evaporate as quickly,I hear)and a PVC cap.I cut a hole in the cap,ran the wire through and caulked the wire and hole together.Now I know exactly where the "front " of the transducer is.It works fine.Be very liberal with epoxy so it makes it's own gasket. I have also heard of people using Toilet Gasket Wax!One poster wanted to use it so it was temporary and could be moved around to see best placement.He liked it so much he kept it permenantley that way. LLOYD
I used a puck and a HUMMIN BIRD ($69) fish finder.I used 6" pvc pipe,mineral oil (resists air bubbles and dosnt'evaporate as quickly,I hear)and a PVC cap.I cut a hole in the cap,ran the wire through and caulked the wire and hole together.Now I know exactly where the "front " of the transducer is.It works fine.Be very liberal with epoxy so it makes it's own gasket. I have also heard of people using Toilet Gasket Wax!One poster wanted to use it so it was temporary and could be moved around to see best placement.He liked it so much he kept it permenantley that way. LLOYD
Depth Sounder Install
Hi Jack: I recently installed a Garman 168 GPS-Depth Sounder on my Oday 23. I didn't want to cut a hole in the hull to mount the Transducer, so I had a strap of 1/8th inch Stainless Steel cut about 2 inches wide (the width of the transducer) and 18 inches long with screw holes on one end matching the screw holes of the tranducer and two screw holes in the length of the strap. It mounted nicely outside just off center of the transom. The transducer cable then enters through a small drilled hole through the transom into the cockpit and is routed to the GPS/Sounder. This way, there is no puncture of the boat's jel coat surface below the waterline. Pre drill the two screw holes and Dab the holes full with caulking. The job was done with the boat floating at dock. Bill Jones*5
Hi Jack: I recently installed a Garman 168 GPS-Depth Sounder on my Oday 23. I didn't want to cut a hole in the hull to mount the Transducer, so I had a strap of 1/8th inch Stainless Steel cut about 2 inches wide (the width of the transducer) and 18 inches long with screw holes on one end matching the screw holes of the tranducer and two screw holes in the length of the strap. It mounted nicely outside just off center of the transom. The transducer cable then enters through a small drilled hole through the transom into the cockpit and is routed to the GPS/Sounder. This way, there is no puncture of the boat's jel coat surface below the waterline. Pre drill the two screw holes and Dab the holes full with caulking. The job was done with the boat floating at dock. Bill Jones*5
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