Replacing a Transducer while in the water

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Mar 15, 2010
36
Catalina 320 Dallas
I have a 1995 320 with ST50 instruments and want to replace the depth and speed transducers.They dont have that cool little cover that closes when you pull the transducers nowdays so has anyone replaced their speed and/or depth transducer while in the water? Are the ST60+ transducers screw in or do you have to replace the entire thruhull for the transducer?
Any input here from people who have done this on a 320 would be good.
Thanks
 
Mar 23, 2010
23
Catalina 30 Portsmouth, VA
I can't speak to that specific transducer, but I replaced my thru-hull xducer when I had her on the flat a few months ago. My old one was an Airmar, and my new one was an Airmar (packaged for Garmin, not Raymarine, but I nthink the one you are looking at is manufactered by Airmar, too).

I can tell you I ran into the following problems, that may help you make your decision:
1 - The new 'ducer was slightly larger than the old, but large enough I needed to use a hole saw to enlarge it.
2 - The old unit was held in place with 5200. On my Cat 30, that meant I had to reach down into the v-berth hold with vice grips and twist it until the adhesive broke, then went below to pry it free with a putty knife while my wife hit the top with a hammer.
3 - The outside portion flares, meaning it has to be installed from the outside-in, running cable through first.
4 - There was a spacing block on the outside of the hull that made sure the xducer was pointing straight down. I put that on a drill press to make sure the hole was straight, then glue the spacer back on to use it as a template for my hole saw. If I hadn't drilled it, it wouldn't have fit.

One day I may replace the thru-hull xducer again, to clean it up and add an intregrated paddle wheel, but not soon. I'm not sure of your configuration, but if it is like mine I advise caution and consideration of a shoot-through-the-hull unit until you haul out again. If I had tried the replacement afloat, I would be less a "sailboat" and more a "hazard to navigation."

Jeremy
 
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