I need a depth meter and I found many fishfinders on the market. Nevertheless I do not see fishfinders used on sailboat as depthfinder. Is there reason for this? Does fishfinder draws to much current? Or it just because people esxpect the "specially designed" equipment. any tool besides screwdriver is hummer screwdriver is chisel
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Fishfinder is great
My depth sounder wat kaput and I replaces it with a very cheap fish finder (Humminbird). It was a standard fish finder with the transom mount transducer. After makinga suction cup rig for putting it on the transom (and having it fall off a thousand or so times) I put the transducer in the bilge at the lowest point and poured in a bucket of water to submerge it. It worked fantastic, and since I keep a fishing rod on the boat it performs double duty. They may not be sexy or "yacht like" but I'm keeping mine.
My depth sounder wat kaput and I replaces it with a very cheap fish finder (Humminbird). It was a standard fish finder with the transom mount transducer. After makinga suction cup rig for putting it on the transom (and having it fall off a thousand or so times) I put the transducer in the bilge at the lowest point and poured in a bucket of water to submerge it. It worked fantastic, and since I keep a fishing rod on the boat it performs double duty. They may not be sexy or "yacht like" but I'm keeping mine.
Fishfinders do more
then just find fish. I have an Apelco that will give me depth only in large numbers, it will also allow me to see the contour of the bottom and the depth at the same time. For example last summer I was sailing with a friend and tacking back and forth across the channel and timing the tacks to the slope of the bottom and the depth. In some cases the slope was gentle and we could start the tack in 8 feet and finish in 7.5 feet other times the slope was steep and we would start the tack in 10 feet and only have 6 feet when we finished. If we had relied on depth only( we draw 4.5 feet) we could have gotten into trouble when the water got thin around the edges. I don't find that it draws down the batteries. I use a digital volt meter and leave the depthsounder on all of the time that we are on the boat. The cabin lights draw more than the depth sounder.
then just find fish. I have an Apelco that will give me depth only in large numbers, it will also allow me to see the contour of the bottom and the depth at the same time. For example last summer I was sailing with a friend and tacking back and forth across the channel and timing the tacks to the slope of the bottom and the depth. In some cases the slope was gentle and we could start the tack in 8 feet and finish in 7.5 feet other times the slope was steep and we would start the tack in 10 feet and only have 6 feet when we finished. If we had relied on depth only( we draw 4.5 feet) we could have gotten into trouble when the water got thin around the edges. I don't find that it draws down the batteries. I use a digital volt meter and leave the depthsounder on all of the time that we are on the boat. The cabin lights draw more than the depth sounder.
2 boats in a row
We have used Lowrance Fishfinders/GPS on our last two boats. They were an excelent choice, suited our needs and we very cost effective. Feng SHui our hunter 445 lost the raymarine depth sounder and we were for a fraction able to add a lowrance GPS/sonar/fishfinder/waterlog for around $150US. The raymarine cost many times that for just the depth gauge. On Makai our Voyage 380 catamaran we added the lowrance LMS160 Chartplotter/Sonare/etc for $150 on sale. The boat only came with one and we actually ran aground thinking we were in 6 feet of water. Of course that was the other hull the one that hit the bottom was in 2.5 feet. We like the sonare feature as we have been able to what the bottom looks like when making and island apprach and can tell the bottom density from the picture.
We have used Lowrance Fishfinders/GPS on our last two boats. They were an excelent choice, suited our needs and we very cost effective. Feng SHui our hunter 445 lost the raymarine depth sounder and we were for a fraction able to add a lowrance GPS/sonar/fishfinder/waterlog for around $150US. The raymarine cost many times that for just the depth gauge. On Makai our Voyage 380 catamaran we added the lowrance LMS160 Chartplotter/Sonare/etc for $150 on sale. The boat only came with one and we actually ran aground thinking we were in 6 feet of water. Of course that was the other hull the one that hit the bottom was in 2.5 feet. We like the sonare feature as we have been able to what the bottom looks like when making and island apprach and can tell the bottom density from the picture.
footprint
the mounting for the depthfinder is typically a round 3" hole, the fishfinder needs more room and competes with wind instruments. I have a cheap hummingbird with the transducer epoxied to inside of hull. works fine. may be limited on total depth to 300 or so... not a problem for me..
the mounting for the depthfinder is typically a round 3" hole, the fishfinder needs more room and competes with wind instruments. I have a cheap hummingbird with the transducer epoxied to inside of hull. works fine. may be limited on total depth to 300 or so... not a problem for me..
you don't have
to mount the transducer through the hull. I use a transome mount transducer and purpose built a skeg for it below the waterline and the entire system is installed without boring holes in the bottom of my boat.
to mount the transducer through the hull. I use a transome mount transducer and purpose built a skeg for it below the waterline and the entire system is installed without boring holes in the bottom of my boat.
transducer mount
Like MrBill we mounted our transducer inside the hull in silicone and it worked fine with less holes. We use the fishfinder as a back up depth sounder.
Like MrBill we mounted our transducer inside the hull in silicone and it worked fine with less holes. We use the fishfinder as a back up depth sounder.
FISHFINDERS work great and are fun...
My previous boat had a LORANCE, and my present boat has a HUMMINGBIRD. Both have the transducers "INSIDE", no holes drilled...WORKS GREAT !!!Depth/Fishfinders are VERY USEFUL and NECESSARY !
My previous boat had a LORANCE, and my present boat has a HUMMINGBIRD. Both have the transducers "INSIDE", no holes drilled...WORKS GREAT !!!Depth/Fishfinders are VERY USEFUL and NECESSARY !
Use fishfinders ob runabouts
besides other attributes they also tell what kind of bottom you are over, rock, sand clay etc. However if you just want depth (or temp.) and want a round gauge to fill a spot of previous gauge consider a digital depth finder with either transom or inhull mount for $99. See attached.
besides other attributes they also tell what kind of bottom you are over, rock, sand clay etc. However if you just want depth (or temp.) and want a round gauge to fill a spot of previous gauge consider a digital depth finder with either transom or inhull mount for $99. See attached.
Well as you see...
a LOT of us use or have used "fishfinders" on our sailboats! I installed a Raymarine unit on my old 28.5 that used the same hole for the bronze transducer that was already there and the unit gave me log, speed, depth, and temperature functions. The graphic representation of the bottom was very cool, following trend lines, seeing sunken trees and farm houses, composition of the bottom, etc. (not to mention fish) provided lots of entertainment and useful information.
a LOT of us use or have used "fishfinders" on our sailboats! I installed a Raymarine unit on my old 28.5 that used the same hole for the bronze transducer that was already there and the unit gave me log, speed, depth, and temperature functions. The graphic representation of the bottom was very cool, following trend lines, seeing sunken trees and farm houses, composition of the bottom, etc. (not to mention fish) provided lots of entertainment and useful information.
Transducer
I think all the good things about fish finders have already been said. I just wanted to add that if the hull of the boat is solid fiberglass you can epoxy the transducer to the inside making sure you get rid of all air bubles and it will work perfectly. The best place is in the bow just ahead of the keel.
I think all the good things about fish finders have already been said. I just wanted to add that if the hull of the boat is solid fiberglass you can epoxy the transducer to the inside making sure you get rid of all air bubles and it will work perfectly. The best place is in the bow just ahead of the keel.
don't cut a hole in your hull
Cutting holes in your hull below the water line is never a good idea!!!! You can put the tranducer in a bag of water and find a good place for permanent placement. Epoxy works good as well as polyester. I have used silicone but it isn't recommended as you get a weaker signal. The main thing is no air bubbles!!! The only problem that I have found with fish finders is a line getting wrapped around the display. This can't happen with a flush mounted depth sounder display.
Cutting holes in your hull below the water line is never a good idea!!!! You can put the tranducer in a bag of water and find a good place for permanent placement. Epoxy works good as well as polyester. I have used silicone but it isn't recommended as you get a weaker signal. The main thing is no air bubbles!!! The only problem that I have found with fish finders is a line getting wrapped around the display. This can't happen with a flush mounted depth sounder display.
Rig up a swinging holder for it.
To stop getting sheets or halyards tangled with your fishfinder/depth sounder make up a simple swinging holder for it. We affixed a piece of teak on the inside cabin bulkhead with contact glue, then fastened a nice piece of teak with a brass hinge onto it. We then mounted velcro on the bulkhead and the swing arm to hold it in place in the cabin, and when used - it swings out to lock into a piece of velcro fastened just inside the companionway on the starboard side. The fishfinder/depth sounder then sits flush with the front of the companionway, and easily pushes out of the way when you want to go below.
To stop getting sheets or halyards tangled with your fishfinder/depth sounder make up a simple swinging holder for it. We affixed a piece of teak on the inside cabin bulkhead with contact glue, then fastened a nice piece of teak with a brass hinge onto it. We then mounted velcro on the bulkhead and the swing arm to hold it in place in the cabin, and when used - it swings out to lock into a piece of velcro fastened just inside the companionway on the starboard side. The fishfinder/depth sounder then sits flush with the front of the companionway, and easily pushes out of the way when you want to go below.
Using an eagle Fish Finder
I've been using an eagle fish finder/depthfinder on my Hunter 23.5 for the last 5 years. I epoxied the transducer inside the hull and shoot throughthte hull to get my depth. I can maximize the numbers for easy reading in the cockpit or leave it on fishfider status and see the bottom, fish and the depth. I mounted the dispaly to a block of wood (it has small rubber legs attached) and move it to the top of the hatch while under sail/motoring. When in port I pull it back inside to keep dock pirates from absconding with my electronics. The best part is that it only cost me $100 and a little sweat to set it up and I didn't have tpo drill holes in the boat (holes are not good in any water craft). Fair winds..... H
I've been using an eagle fish finder/depthfinder on my Hunter 23.5 for the last 5 years. I epoxied the transducer inside the hull and shoot throughthte hull to get my depth. I can maximize the numbers for easy reading in the cockpit or leave it on fishfider status and see the bottom, fish and the depth. I mounted the dispaly to a block of wood (it has small rubber legs attached) and move it to the top of the hatch while under sail/motoring. When in port I pull it back inside to keep dock pirates from absconding with my electronics. The best part is that it only cost me $100 and a little sweat to set it up and I didn't have tpo drill holes in the boat (holes are not good in any water craft). Fair winds..... H
fishfinder on 240
I mounted mind on a nicely routered piece of teak with a nice finish. It's then mounted to my stern rails on the starboard side. I can feed the power and data (transducer) cable to the unit through a hatch over the aft berth. It looks really nice for an amateur woodworker. I also made the teak board large enough to mount my handheld GPS above the fishfinder. Ken
I mounted mind on a nicely routered piece of teak with a nice finish. It's then mounted to my stern rails on the starboard side. I can feed the power and data (transducer) cable to the unit through a hatch over the aft berth. It looks really nice for an amateur woodworker. I also made the teak board large enough to mount my handheld GPS above the fishfinder. Ken
Ken,
do you have a picture of your set-up? I am going to mount my fishfinder soon and have been trying to work out different mounting solutions for the display. I have been leaning toward the swinging companionway mount. Your idea sounds great! Thanks
do you have a picture of your set-up? I am going to mount my fishfinder soon and have been trying to work out different mounting solutions for the display. I have been leaning toward the swinging companionway mount. Your idea sounds great! Thanks
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