In dash fishfinder with inhull or through hull transducer

[Steve22124]

I am going to replace my old Standard Horizon depth sounder and Speedometer. I am considering the Raymarine digital st40 ($275); (bidata with speed is $325). However I am also thinking about a fishfinder but am finding it difficult to get one that has an in dash mounting system for the cockpit and a thru hull or in hull transducer. Any thoughts or suggestions would be welcome.

Is the lack of a speedometer a concern if I have a GPS? Is not knowing the boat speed over the water a real disadvantage? The only thing I can think that I may miss, with not having a speedometer vs the GPS, is getting an immediate response to changing sail tactics.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Makes one think. When I am on my centerboarder on a small lake the GPS is all that I require. I know where the shallows are and am only mildly interested in relative boat speed(SOG). But on my cruising boat I want a "system". I want to know both true and apparent wind which requires a speed log as well as the anemometer. And I want to know currents and tides which also requires a speed log along with a GPS. So I guess it depends upon your kind of sailing and how much information you want. On a cruising boat with any sort of range the need for depth is obvious.

 

[DreamBoat]

GPS works for me

I have Standard Depth and Speed displays, but have a wiring "issue" with the speed display. The display comes and goes, but it doesn't bother me enough that I feel the need to repair/replace the wiring. I can generally tell by the "feel" of the boat if the speed is satisfactory.
Sailing in the bay like I do, the depth is REQUIRED.

 

[jotruk]

Re: GPS works for me

I replace my depth sounder with a fish finder both for the price and for locating fish when I do use the boat for fishing. I found that the fish finder is accurate to about 90' much more than you would normally need

 

[Nereussailor]

I bought a fish finder with depth and surface temp. the speed log was extra, and mounting on my boat would have been difficult. I use my GPS for speed. The whole thing was about $80 new, and could be mounted in a pod or an instrument panel. the transducer was a shoot through the hull, so no holes in the boat. I mounted it in a pile of silicone in a locker and it's been working for 4 years with zero problems. It's an Eagle Cuda 128. Model numbers might be different now, but I'm sure that you can find one for around the same price.
Here's one that's similar http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/humminbird-piranhamax-160-fishfinder.aspx?a=529157

Dave