Fish finder vs. depth sounder

[Al]

I'd like to add a a way to monitor water depth to my 2001 H260. It seems that you can buy a fish finder that can tell you depth and water temperature for under $100 with transom mounted transducer included. Is there any advantage to buying a depth sounder with transducer for a total of ~$300??

 

[Tom Wootton]

Fishfinder

I bought a Humminbird 100sx fishfinder for about $100, and glued the transducer to the inside of the hull aft of the ballast tank (near the bilge pump) under the aft berth. this method and location is the one reccommended by Hunter, to avoid turbulence, the tank itself, and the neccesity of drilling a hole below the waterline. It works fine. If there is an advantage to the more expensive units it escapes me.There are a lot of specifics on this in the archives.

 

[Ray Bowles]

Al, The way Tom mounted his transducer inside

the hull also prevents the hassles with slime growth. I mounted my depth gauge as a through hull as I was about 6 months too early for the inside unit. It is mounted next to the bilge pump and besides the need to drill a hole in a good boat it actually does less than a fishfinder and cost $300 or so.RayS/V Speedy

 

[Carl]

Fish Finder also

I installed a fish finder in the same location next to the bilge with epoxy. I tested it in a bag of water first to see if it worked. I routed the temp sensor out the back where the batteries are located, I already had a hole from the previous owner made for a GPS power cable and ran it down the center line in front of the rudder it works very well and helps to know how cold the water is before I jump in. My wife thinks the water is always just right. The fish finder also helps to see where the fish are on the hook. I mounted the display unit on the bulkhead for the head and used a RAM ball mount. It lays flat against the bulkhead when not in use. The wires for everything run down the inside head out of the way.Carls/v Wind Shadow

 

[Jeff]

Accuracy When Heeling?

I plan to use the same type fish finder all of you have been discussing. Does anyone know how much the accuracy is affected when the boat is heeling. The transducer sends out a "V" shaped signal but what happens when the boat heelings past that angle? Any thoughts?Jeff"Festivity" 1996 H26

 

[Tom Wootton]

Heeling

I haven't noticed any change in the output, but I don't sail heeled over when there's any question about the depth. When in doubt go slow. I only do coastal sailing, so I rarely use depth as a navigation tool. If I did I would tend to rely on readings taken while not heeled.

 

[Hayden Jones]

Mounting the transducer inside

I have an aversion to drilling holes int he bottom of my bost, even though it is water ballast. I have an older Eagel Fish finer (transom mount transducer) that worked well onthe old boat. The new Hunter 235 doesn't have a a spot ont he transom where it toucheds the water. Can I epoxy my transducer inside the hull and shot through the hull to get depth readings? I've heard they do it with a "puck" type transducer but what about a transom type?