OK am I Crazy?

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Nodak7

Nodak7

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Sep 28, 2008
1,256
Hunter 41DS Punta Gorda, FL
I have a Raymarine St290 Depth Finder. I had to change the transducer a year or so ago but no other issues. Last year we were up in the Little Missouri where the water is really discolored. The first time we went up we lost our signal and I thought it was an electronic problem. Once we came out of that area the signal came back without any issues. Earlier this year we went back up into that area and it did the same thing again. Not so paniced this time. Since that time we have moved the boat to Charlotte Harbor and the water is really discolored here. Yesterday when we went for our maiden solo voyage and when we got into the "shallow" area (8-9') the signal became intermittent again. Is there some adjustment I need to make or are there others that have experienced this? Seems odd since the water clarity should really not be an issue. Am I wrong????
 
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PGIJon

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Mar 3, 2012
856
Hunter 34 Punta Gorda
We have never experienced that particular problem on either of our boats here in Charlotte Harbor. The water is actually discolored by the vegetation that has been swept into the rivers that feed the tributary. So it's not just that the waters are discolored but they are discolored by dead vegetation. Maybe that makes a difference, but as I said, ours works fine here and have never heard of anyone else mentioning it here. But then again, we are all a bit crazy here... which is one of the reasons that makes this area great! Welcome to our great sailing community!
 
seadaddler

seadaddler

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Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
Water Color

The water color is because of all mangroves and bark and vegetation that comes from the river and it is even worst this year because of so much rain
we had this past summer.
I have never seen the water so dark before living here since 08 and the harbor is just as bad.
But I have not had a problem with the depth sounder since owning my boat,I would give Raymarine a call and tell them what is going on and they should be able to help you either test it or what to do.
Was any of the wiring touched since moving the boat at the transducer or at the gauge causing maybe a bad connection.
Nick
 
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Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
Nodak7: Water clarity should not be an issue but some light signal attenuation could be present due to particulate content. Normally it should not be a problem but since you recently replaced the transducer I would suspect a weak signal problem there. Wiring, hull bedding of transducer, etc. might be where to look for an already weak transmission. Do give Raymarine a call.
Chief
 
FastOlson

FastOlson

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Apr 8, 2010
2,115
Ericson Yachts Olson 34 28400 Portland OR
Chief RA said:
Nodak7: Water clarity should not be an issue but some light signal attenuation could be present due to particulate content. Normally it should not be a problem but since you recently replaced the transducer I would suspect a weak signal problem there. Wiring, hull bedding of transducer, etc. might be where to look for an already weak transmission. Do give Raymarine a call.
Chief
Click to expand
I agree. Also, it's common for some DS displays to show nothing or a pair of lines when not receiving a good return.
Our former boat had a Standard Horizon unit that would lose the return in shallow water where the bottom was soft mud. Worked fine otherwise, and could pick up a return in water over 200' when the bottom was smooth and rocky...

Only type of display I would not like would be one that keeps the last "good" number showing for very long, when in fact it has no new information. I'd rather have no info than false info.

Loren
 
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