I want to add a knot/ log to know speed. I have had boat for 9 months and would like to gain better skills at sail trim and boat balance. Can the members recomend a log for a 27.5 1983 Hunter and where the transducer should be placed. Any input would be welcomed.
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Placement is ahead of the keel.
Lee: I think that you will find that the prefered location for a knot log or depth sounder is forward of the keel and as close to the center as possible. This will keep the knot log from getting falsh readings when the water rushes past the keel which would give you a false reading. The depth sounder should also be placed forward to give you advance warning. As far as brand! There are several good ones on the market. The Standard stuff that West Marine sells are fine if you do not want an integrated system. If you looking for an integrated system you can get a Nexus 1000 or 2000 system. These units can be had with wind, depth, and speed. The 2000 units are about $950. Of course you will need to have the transducers installed in the hull. Another option is to just purchase a GPS if you want to know what your speed is over the bottom. $120 will get you a good GPS. All of this depends on your budget. Figure out what you can afford and then star shopping.
Lee: I think that you will find that the prefered location for a knot log or depth sounder is forward of the keel and as close to the center as possible. This will keep the knot log from getting falsh readings when the water rushes past the keel which would give you a false reading. The depth sounder should also be placed forward to give you advance warning. As far as brand! There are several good ones on the market. The Standard stuff that West Marine sells are fine if you do not want an integrated system. If you looking for an integrated system you can get a Nexus 1000 or 2000 system. These units can be had with wind, depth, and speed. The 2000 units are about $950. Of course you will need to have the transducers installed in the hull. Another option is to just purchase a GPS if you want to know what your speed is over the bottom. $120 will get you a good GPS. All of this depends on your budget. Figure out what you can afford and then star shopping.
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Aldo Lozano
Transducer location...
Lee.. I have a Hun27/83 and, if you want, I can send you a pic showing the exact place where it goes. It's where the previous posting said, but maybe you want to have a visual idea too... Aldo alozano@monmouth.com
Lee.. I have a Hun27/83 and, if you want, I can send you a pic showing the exact place where it goes. It's where the previous posting said, but maybe you want to have a visual idea too... Aldo alozano@monmouth.com
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Don Baker
boat speed
the best way to determine boat speed around tidal waters is to use your chart plotter or a good gps. these instruments will tell you your actual speed over ground reguardless of tidal current and drift. The only thing that a dransducer will till you is how fast the water is moving past your boat
the best way to determine boat speed around tidal waters is to use your chart plotter or a good gps. these instruments will tell you your actual speed over ground reguardless of tidal current and drift. The only thing that a dransducer will till you is how fast the water is moving past your boat
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Doug
Steve, as always has great wisdom
A gps is a great way of knowing s.o.g. it is also helpful even if you have a knot log in order to calibrate. Couple of things to consider. Place transducer ahead of the keel as suggested. In addition, place it someplace you can get to it easily in case it gets fouled and needs cleaning. Also place it aft of depth transducer if you also install one in same area. Cavitaion bubbles from a knot log in front of a depth transducer will give you false readings in depth as bubbles pass over depth transducer. Dont forget to paint with transducer anti-fouling paint (special kind for plastics, don't ever use epoxy hard paint for transducers) to keep reading accurately as long as possible. Happy Sailing and enjoy the process of trying to get that extra 1/10th of a knot out of her. Doug
A gps is a great way of knowing s.o.g. it is also helpful even if you have a knot log in order to calibrate. Couple of things to consider. Place transducer ahead of the keel as suggested. In addition, place it someplace you can get to it easily in case it gets fouled and needs cleaning. Also place it aft of depth transducer if you also install one in same area. Cavitaion bubbles from a knot log in front of a depth transducer will give you false readings in depth as bubbles pass over depth transducer. Dont forget to paint with transducer anti-fouling paint (special kind for plastics, don't ever use epoxy hard paint for transducers) to keep reading accurately as long as possible. Happy Sailing and enjoy the process of trying to get that extra 1/10th of a knot out of her. Doug
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Steve
Cleaning the transducer
Doug suggested placing the knot (speed) transducer in a readily accessible location in case in gets fouled and needs to be cleaned. Mine is apparently fouled and I know where it is and can easily get to the access port in the cabin sole---but doesn't the unit need to be cleaned from the outside, under water? I'm VERY new to this boat, and don't want to sink her by unscrewing the transducer from inside the boat, and have no idea where the waterline is (1986 Hunter 34ft). HELP! Steve
Doug suggested placing the knot (speed) transducer in a readily accessible location in case in gets fouled and needs to be cleaned. Mine is apparently fouled and I know where it is and can easily get to the access port in the cabin sole---but doesn't the unit need to be cleaned from the outside, under water? I'm VERY new to this boat, and don't want to sink her by unscrewing the transducer from inside the boat, and have no idea where the waterline is (1986 Hunter 34ft). HELP! Steve
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Dick Vance
Steve, Use A Plug
Steve, You should have a plug that comes with the transducer. You can easily remove the transducer and stick the plug in while you clean it, without letting much water in the boat. On a recent charter to the Dry Tortugas, we had to clean the transducer several times while underway...no problem and what water that got in was easily cleaned up with a towel. Just be quick! Dick Vance H-25.5 "Honey Bear"
Steve, You should have a plug that comes with the transducer. You can easily remove the transducer and stick the plug in while you clean it, without letting much water in the boat. On a recent charter to the Dry Tortugas, we had to clean the transducer several times while underway...no problem and what water that got in was easily cleaned up with a towel. Just be quick! Dick Vance H-25.5 "Honey Bear"
and if you don't have a plug...................
Steve: If you do not have the plug or cannot find it, just use a towel. This is always exciting doing this first time or 50th time is really not much different. Sort of makes your butt cheeks clinch up. It is best to have an assistant at your side just incase something happens that was not prevoked or expected. Pull the transducer, plug the hole, clean the transducer (I like to use MY wifes tooth brush, don't tell her though), remove the plug, replace the transducer (watch the orenitation of the transducer some have an arrow as to the direction and most also have notch so it is positioned fore/aft). Then you can sit back and enjoy a beverage to keep your knees from rattling. PS: this is a much easier process on someone elses boat. <g>
Steve: If you do not have the plug or cannot find it, just use a towel. This is always exciting doing this first time or 50th time is really not much different. Sort of makes your butt cheeks clinch up. It is best to have an assistant at your side just incase something happens that was not prevoked or expected. Pull the transducer, plug the hole, clean the transducer (I like to use MY wifes tooth brush, don't tell her though), remove the plug, replace the transducer (watch the orenitation of the transducer some have an arrow as to the direction and most also have notch so it is positioned fore/aft). Then you can sit back and enjoy a beverage to keep your knees from rattling. PS: this is a much easier process on someone elses boat. <g>
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Greg aboard 'BlueBerry'
plug 2
...and if you don't have a plug, you should get one...either made specifically for the product or a wooden one. Why you ask? In the event of a failure of the through hull, you just MIGHT want to have something stored close at hand to put in the hole to stem the flood of water coming in. BTW, most failures occur at night, in less than pleasant conditions, where your state of mind might not be the clearest....well that's not scientifically proven, but if you plan for that, anything else will be easy.
...and if you don't have a plug, you should get one...either made specifically for the product or a wooden one. Why you ask? In the event of a failure of the through hull, you just MIGHT want to have something stored close at hand to put in the hole to stem the flood of water coming in. BTW, most failures occur at night, in less than pleasant conditions, where your state of mind might not be the clearest....well that's not scientifically proven, but if you plan for that, anything else will be easy.
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