In hull transducer/depth sounder 1980 H27

[David21149]

Pls advise best/affordable in hull transducers/depth sounders for my 1980 Hunter 27.

Hummingbird said their transducer may or may not work. Thanks!

Dave

 

[richk]

Pls advise best/affordable in hull transducers/depth sounders for my 1980 Hunter 27.

Hummingbird said their transducer may or may not work. Thanks!

Dave

Does it have a non-working transducer and how big is the hole? Hole diameter may determine your choice.

Else, you could go with an interior mounted transducer, affixed to hull or drill and install new device.

Interior mounted makes sense if you are on a budget and/or don't want to haul. You may want to seek out a buddy (maybe power boater) with removable transducer and try that out (maybe use some modeling clay pushed down onto hull with transducer pushed into that....necessary to avoid the sound going through air, which don't work.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

A Hummingbird Fish Finder will be your most economical solution.

What Hummingbird means when they say "may or may not work" is that the hull must be solid fiberglass and not cored in order to work.

Check the "Search" menu for different ways to mount the transducer.

For now, using a little jiggery-pokery, purchase a unit with the intent of returning it, if need be, and test it out. Temporarily mount the transducer by sitting it on a Zip-Lok baggie (on the hull) that is 100% filled with water (fill it underwater in a sink). If it works, you're in business.

 

[David21149]

Yes need interior mounted tranducer

Yes need interior mounted tranducer with no haul out capability.

Does it have a non-working transducer and how big is the hole? Hole diameter may determine your choice.

Else, you could go with an interior mounted transducer, affixed to hull or drill and install new device.

Interior mounted makes sense if you are on a budget and/or don't want to haul. You may want to seek out a buddy (maybe power boater) with removable transducer and try that out (maybe use some modeling clay pushed down onto hull with transducer pushed into that....necessary to avoid the sound going through air, which don't work.

 

[203]

Re: Yes need interior mounted tranducer

In a thread on another section of this forum, someone suggested using toilet bowl wax to form the joint between the hull and the transducer.

http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=158763

Now for a neat freak like me, that'd be a mess, probably, but it's one way. I like epoxy myself, captured in a ring formed by a paper drinking cup taped to the hull, bottom cut out of course.

However above someone suggested a bag of water, and I am really liking that idea. ( thanks!!!! )That's what I will use to find the good spot in my hull, then I'll epoxy the transducer down, making sure there are no air bubbles in the mix.

Someone also posted that the area behind the keel is a great place to put the transducer, but I think you'll be experimenting a bit to find somewhere that works well.

Richard

 

[Mikem]

Just installed a Hummingbird DS/Fishfinder in a 1981 Catatlina 25. Works great, shows bottom profile, battery charge, water temp (in this case hull temp as it is epoxied to the hull interior), and depth. Got it on clearance at WM for $99.

 

[pvtpotter]

In a thread on another section of this forum, someone suggested using toilet bowl wax to form the joint between the hull and the transducer.

http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=158763

Now for a neat freak like me, that'd be a mess, probably, but it's one way. I like epoxy myself, captured in a ring formed by a paper drinking cup taped to the hull, bottom cut out of course.

However above someone suggested a bag of water, and I am really liking that idea. ( thanks!!!! )That's what I will use to find the good spot in my hull, then I'll epoxy the transducer down, making sure there are no air bubbles in the mix.

Someone also posted that the area behind the keel is a great place to put the transducer, but I think you'll be experimenting a bit to find somewhere that works well.

Richard

What the hell is Toilet Bowl Wax ??

LOL

 

[Ray Bowles]

If you go behind the keel test first before installing as that is an area of turbulance on many boats and you can get interference.
Ray

 

[finding41]

What the hell is Toilet Bowl Wax ??

LOL

Just like Turtle wax... Wax on. Wax off.
No... It is the wax seal between the toilet and the pipe in the floor.
Use a new one. You can soften it in the sun and hand mold it. Then just press it into the wax ware you want it on the hull. Or melt it in the microwave. If you melt it build a well around ware you want the transducer and pour it in . Set the transducer in ASAP and hold it in place until the wax hardens.
Pour slowly! No bubbles or no work.

 

[Chief RA]

If using wax does not appeal to you then use the water bag concept for location selection. I personally would never use epoxy as it is almost impossible to remove . Silicone is what I have used for years. Its firm but is removable. Chief, Sonar, USN

 

[puddlejockey]

Todd, I did some pretty extensive research on this for my Bini baby, an 83 Cherubini.
I just have to say that if there's any way at all to do a haul out, and put in a through hull, that should by far, imo, be your choice.
I know you said you didn't have any haul out capability, but the through hulls can vary 12-18 inches in reading, depending on the hull construction and interference conditions. This isn't my number, it's direct from several manufacturers. If you're looking for a school of bass, that may not matter. But if you're trying to keep your keel off the rocks....

That said, the hummingbird fish finder/ depth finders weren't any less accurate than a true depth finder when I looked into them..

Good luck!

 

[Chief RA]

Putting a hole in your boat is ridiculous when not necessary! Inside hull installs work fine when done properly. Chief

 

[heart of gold]

I epoxied a transom mount type to the hull of mine years ago and it performs flawlessly. I used the dam method as well to level it. It is a Garmin transducer that I had on hand. I like it forward so that you can see a little ahead and there is far less turbulence.

 

[Cayennita]

In 1980 I bought a Seidelman 30 that had the transducer mounted above a cylinder that glassed bonded, forward of the center board. The cylinder was filled with mineral oil ensuring that there was good contact. It worked fine and eliminated something else that could produce flow disturbance

 

[HMT2]

I use the in hull transducer that came with my Garmin chartplotter. I've had it for years and works great, I have it in front of the keel. This particular one requires a little liquid in the ring in which the transducer sits. I fill it once a year with a few ounces of non-toxic anti freeze. I used th bag of water trick to locate the best location. Good luck!