Oceanis 281 - knot meter/depth sounder?

[HighFidelity]

Hi,
New to the forums. Bought my first sailboat in November and getting ready to launch in two weeks. With that comes a question:

Do new boats typically come with a basic depth sounder and knot meter? Do they at least have a transducer installed, or at least a premade place to install it?

My boat does not have one at all. Not even a simple Raymarine depth/speed meter you tend to see on boats mounted next to the companionway door. The people I bought it from had recently purchased a Humminbird (5 series maybe? inexpensive, b&w screen, gps, fishfinder, plotter, 5in screen) but never installed it. I'm surprised there was nothing else on the boat.

I'm now wondering is this Humminbird sufficient? What is the best way to install it (thru hull?)? Placement?

I know it's a bit of a broad question, but I was confident in launching and enjoying my boat, and now I'm scrambling to get this taken care of as I'd prefer to at least have a depth sounder when I sail it (in two weeks).

Thanks!

 

[LeslieTroyer]

No most boats do not come with knotmeters nor depth sounders. Hummingbird is a good sounder. You can "glue" the transducer to the inside of the hull with good results and eliminate a hole. Search on transducer mounting for specifics

Les

 

[DougM]

On most sailboats, the most common place to install speed and depth transducers is just forward of the keel. More than likely this would put the transducers under the V-berth.
The depth transducer would probably read sufficently if attached to the inside of the hull. The speed transducer would require a through hull because it contains a paddlewheel that is rotated by the water movememt to translate into a speed reading.
The scary part is always the thought of boring a hole in the bottom of your boat.
If can find a relatively new instrument like a Raymarine ST40 or ST60 Tridata (speed/depth/temp) ,I have a new Airmar depth, and Airmar speed transducer that I would be willing to part with. I'm just North of you in Manistee.

 

[HighFidelity]

Thanks for the input. Looks like the boat had a pre-made through hole of some kind so it should go together pretty quickly and easily.