Just wondering what most people are using for electronics? I know I want a depth finder.. (using a knoted rope is not much fun) Those chartplotter gps units are cool.. but.. yikes...$$$$! I assume fishfinders also work as depth finders. but do they have alerts like the depth finders? How long do these things run on the onboard battery? Lots to learn yet! Thanks in advance! Denise
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I had great results....
I recently sold my MAC 26C,on which I installed a Depth Finder. Purchased it from ACADEMY, $118. The installation was on the floor, in back of the boat...so no holes were drilled. It also had a fish finder screen...YOU'LL have fun with one...needless to say...that the depth finder is quite useful. I purchased a MAC 26X, and plan to install another unit on it soon, also. I dont think the battery drain is much at all...I had no problems. Happy Sailing !
I recently sold my MAC 26C,on which I installed a Depth Finder. Purchased it from ACADEMY, $118. The installation was on the floor, in back of the boat...so no holes were drilled. It also had a fish finder screen...YOU'LL have fun with one...needless to say...that the depth finder is quite useful. I purchased a MAC 26X, and plan to install another unit on it soon, also. I dont think the battery drain is much at all...I had no problems. Happy Sailing !
Electronics on H23
Hi Denise, Congratulations on the H23, saw your initial posts. I sail on Erie and don't start out if the waves are above about 3'. On Erie, the period between waves is short and the shape is sometimes described as "blocky or square," so slightly larger seas elsewhere might not seem as choppy. Point is to get experienced and confident in calmer waters before you head out on some of the bigger adventures you mentioned earlier. The weather window that we will go out in will probably expand as we get more experienced. Back to your current question..... PO installed a through the hull depth gage and a removeable auto tiller (First Mate is the brand/model, I think). Amazingly, while both look to be about 20 years old and were not used for at least the last 3 or 4 years, they both went right to work doing their job when I connected them to the battery! I think the depth gage is a necessity and I've read that fish finders make a perfectly acceptable and perhaps economical solution. The auto pitlot is a bit of a luxury in my opinion. My Tiller Tamer can hold a course for short time periods if I need to leave the tiller, and it cost all of about $6.00. If I really need an extended break, I just heave-to or let somebody else take the helm
We also have a hand-held Garmin GPS that has a snap on-snap off mounting bracket attached to the bulkhead beside the companionway, next to the depth gage. Spent about $100 on it. A compass on the other side of the companionway completes or navigation package. We carry a hand held VHS radio and also cell phones. This is a pretty minimal setup compared to our big brothers, but for a boat this size almost always sailing within sight of land, we are pretty happy with our setup.
Hi Denise, Congratulations on the H23, saw your initial posts. I sail on Erie and don't start out if the waves are above about 3'. On Erie, the period between waves is short and the shape is sometimes described as "blocky or square," so slightly larger seas elsewhere might not seem as choppy. Point is to get experienced and confident in calmer waters before you head out on some of the bigger adventures you mentioned earlier. The weather window that we will go out in will probably expand as we get more experienced. Back to your current question..... PO installed a through the hull depth gage and a removeable auto tiller (First Mate is the brand/model, I think). Amazingly, while both look to be about 20 years old and were not used for at least the last 3 or 4 years, they both went right to work doing their job when I connected them to the battery! I think the depth gage is a necessity and I've read that fish finders make a perfectly acceptable and perhaps economical solution. The auto pitlot is a bit of a luxury in my opinion. My Tiller Tamer can hold a course for short time periods if I need to leave the tiller, and it cost all of about $6.00. If I really need an extended break, I just heave-to or let somebody else take the helm
We also have a hand-held Garmin GPS that has a snap on-snap off mounting bracket attached to the bulkhead beside the companionway, next to the depth gage. Spent about $100 on it. A compass on the other side of the companionway completes or navigation package. We carry a hand held VHS radio and also cell phones. This is a pretty minimal setup compared to our big brothers, but for a boat this size almost always sailing within sight of land, we are pretty happy with our setup.ageed about learning curve
Yes, I have most of the lower Delaware to learn on. Don't think I'd ever be out knowing the weather was bad, and if it happend I'd wait it out in a sheltered cove or something! but.. I also know somthings just happen that can't be avoided. So.. slow on the learning, heavy on just fishing and getting comfortable with the boat. I will make sure I have 2-3 days of food & water at all times if i'm wandering far and nd of course all necessary CG requirements. I just found out that the mercury 9.9 outboard is elect start and has an alt. So I'm thinking a fishfinding depth finder is the first item. she comes with VHF, hope that works. OH!.. Also cked the trailer, it has brakes and looks like it just needs my mechanic's TLC. he's also a boater. Anyone know the "tongue weight" of the trailer? It just looks all scary and stuff on only 2 wheels instead of 4. Thinking my GMC AWD Safari van (193 hp V6) may need better rear springs. Thanks for all the encouragement! Denise
Yes, I have most of the lower Delaware to learn on. Don't think I'd ever be out knowing the weather was bad, and if it happend I'd wait it out in a sheltered cove or something! but.. I also know somthings just happen that can't be avoided. So.. slow on the learning, heavy on just fishing and getting comfortable with the boat. I will make sure I have 2-3 days of food & water at all times if i'm wandering far and nd of course all necessary CG requirements. I just found out that the mercury 9.9 outboard is elect start and has an alt. So I'm thinking a fishfinding depth finder is the first item. she comes with VHF, hope that works. OH!.. Also cked the trailer, it has brakes and looks like it just needs my mechanic's TLC. he's also a boater. Anyone know the "tongue weight" of the trailer? It just looks all scary and stuff on only 2 wheels instead of 4. Thinking my GMC AWD Safari van (193 hp V6) may need better rear springs. Thanks for all the encouragement! Denise
Sounder/Finder
I have one of those Eagle Cuda fish finder/depth sounders on my h23. Cost $89 at Wal-Mart, I believe. Has worked great for me, with one exception. Sunday afternoon I was moving along pretty good in 19 feet of water, coming up on land. All of a sudden the alarm went off and the depth sounder said 3.4 feet. I tacked immediately and it went back to 19 feet. I think the heeling had something to do with it, I was heeling to port pretty far for me but probably, surely, not as much as many on this board do. I have the transducer epoxied to the inner hull under the port settee. Somebody on this board more knowledgable than me might caution you about your motor bracket with that 9.9. Mac
I have one of those Eagle Cuda fish finder/depth sounders on my h23. Cost $89 at Wal-Mart, I believe. Has worked great for me, with one exception. Sunday afternoon I was moving along pretty good in 19 feet of water, coming up on land. All of a sudden the alarm went off and the depth sounder said 3.4 feet. I tacked immediately and it went back to 19 feet. I think the heeling had something to do with it, I was heeling to port pretty far for me but probably, surely, not as much as many on this board do. I have the transducer epoxied to the inner hull under the port settee. Somebody on this board more knowledgable than me might caution you about your motor bracket with that 9.9. Mac
Towing the H23
I've towed much heavier trailers with an Astro AWD and have towed my H23 with a Ford Escape from Eastern Michigan to the Cleveland area in the dead of winter. The Escape did fine but the boat was not sitting completely forward on the trailer and made me nervous with its rocking even thouch I had it strapped down tightly. The welds on my Majic Tilt trailer need some serious attention before I attempt any more long trips. I do not have brakes on the trailer or sway control between the trailer and vehicle - both would be nice.
I've towed much heavier trailers with an Astro AWD and have towed my H23 with a Ford Escape from Eastern Michigan to the Cleveland area in the dead of winter. The Escape did fine but the boat was not sitting completely forward on the trailer and made me nervous with its rocking even thouch I had it strapped down tightly. The welds on my Majic Tilt trailer need some serious attention before I attempt any more long trips. I do not have brakes on the trailer or sway control between the trailer and vehicle - both would be nice.
Several items
Trailering your boat will probably go OK with your van, but remember that front wheel drive vehicles generally don't do as well towing as rear wheel drives (harder on the transmissions and traction issues.) Make sure the trailer tires are rated for the load - some folks just replace with car tires, and that is NOT a good thing, especially with single-axle trailers (they weave and are hard on sidewalls.) Make sure you have a good spare, and it's a good idea to have a spare hub and bearing assembly ready to go also. Have your mechanic check the grease seals and bearings on the trailer hubs, and, especially at first, stop every so often to feel the hubs - they can be warm, but should not ever get hot to the touch. Tongue weight should probably be 300 to 400 lbs with that rig. Generally the rule of thumb is about 10% of trailer gross weight. Leave plenty of room in front of you for stopping, especially on the highway. Sooner or later you will be faced with a semi-panic-stop situation, and you will be glad for every extra foot then. Good luck - you will like that boat.
Trailering your boat will probably go OK with your van, but remember that front wheel drive vehicles generally don't do as well towing as rear wheel drives (harder on the transmissions and traction issues.) Make sure the trailer tires are rated for the load - some folks just replace with car tires, and that is NOT a good thing, especially with single-axle trailers (they weave and are hard on sidewalls.) Make sure you have a good spare, and it's a good idea to have a spare hub and bearing assembly ready to go also. Have your mechanic check the grease seals and bearings on the trailer hubs, and, especially at first, stop every so often to feel the hubs - they can be warm, but should not ever get hot to the touch. Tongue weight should probably be 300 to 400 lbs with that rig. Generally the rule of thumb is about 10% of trailer gross weight. Leave plenty of room in front of you for stopping, especially on the highway. Sooner or later you will be faced with a semi-panic-stop situation, and you will be glad for every extra foot then. Good luck - you will like that boat.
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