Friends, Getting ready for the new season on the water and want to add electronics to our H260: specifically speed and depth instruments. Thought about a Tri-data (recommended by dealer) but I got to thinking about a fishfinder instead (cheaper, could use it for fishing with the kids and I could install myself without cutting into the bulkhead). My thoughts were using a transom-mounted transducer with the display mounted on a quick-release rail mount. I have followed a lot of postings on this subject over the past year but need to re-open the subject. Can I install a transom mount transducer on the 260 and, if so, exactly where (how close to the rudder)? I wasn't sure if there was enough vetical flat surface to mount the transducer. A West Marine employee(and postings here over the past year) talked about a shoot-thru-the-hull transducer under the aft-berth but with that, I'd have no speed readings. Has anyone gone down this same path? Thanks Tom s/v ANOVA
- Status
one problem
I have one problem with the transom mounted transducer. I have a through hull on my boat and it is mounted just AFT of the Keel. I think this is a real bad place to put a transducer. Just think about it, if you are in shallow water, by the time you find out, your keel already knows! Happened to me! If I had installed mine, it would be well forward of the keel for a more accurate reading. Russell s/v Summer Luvin'
I have one problem with the transom mounted transducer. I have a through hull on my boat and it is mounted just AFT of the Keel. I think this is a real bad place to put a transducer. Just think about it, if you are in shallow water, by the time you find out, your keel already knows! Happened to me! If I had installed mine, it would be well forward of the keel for a more accurate reading. Russell s/v Summer Luvin'
Reading through the hull, but not THRU the hull...
If you can afford it, they make a spedometer that reads your speed through the fiberglass hull (as in no hole required!). That leaves the depth question... if fish-finding is more important to you than depth readings 26' after your bow has already been there, transom-mounted might do it for you. Add up the costs, and you might as well go tri-data?
If you can afford it, they make a spedometer that reads your speed through the fiberglass hull (as in no hole required!). That leaves the depth question... if fish-finding is more important to you than depth readings 26' after your bow has already been there, transom-mounted might do it for you. Add up the costs, and you might as well go tri-data?
Depth transducer too
Most of the depth transducers can be mounted inside the hull. Check with the mfg. for the spec's. We have had one mounted under the v-berth for 14 years and it works great. I have to agree that they need to be mounted as forward as is practical. Really do not need to know how deep the water is after you are stuck. This will only tell you that you should not dive into the water. I also think that the speed transducer should be mounted forward of the keel if possible to get truer reading.
Most of the depth transducers can be mounted inside the hull. Check with the mfg. for the spec's. We have had one mounted under the v-berth for 14 years and it works great. I have to agree that they need to be mounted as forward as is practical. Really do not need to know how deep the water is after you are stuck. This will only tell you that you should not dive into the water. I also think that the speed transducer should be mounted forward of the keel if possible to get truer reading.
Shoot through, not cut through
I mounted my depth sounder transducer under the "V"berth in my h23 after reading the installation instructions and weighting my fear of leaks in very bad places. The manual stated there is some reduction in accuracy shooting throught the hull, but its not sufficicent for me to notice. Just sand/carefully grind a flat spot on the center line far enough a head of your keel to avoid any interference it might generate, and far enough back from the bow that it won't be shooting through bubbles or other turbulence, then epoxy it in. I don't have a knotmeter, but I hear that center line in front of the keel is also a good place for it. I've seen them mounted behind the keel, but wonder if the leeway sailboats are prone to might affect accuracy as the water is bent around the keel. Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
I mounted my depth sounder transducer under the "V"berth in my h23 after reading the installation instructions and weighting my fear of leaks in very bad places. The manual stated there is some reduction in accuracy shooting throught the hull, but its not sufficicent for me to notice. Just sand/carefully grind a flat spot on the center line far enough a head of your keel to avoid any interference it might generate, and far enough back from the bow that it won't be shooting through bubbles or other turbulence, then epoxy it in. I don't have a knotmeter, but I hear that center line in front of the keel is also a good place for it. I've seen them mounted behind the keel, but wonder if the leeway sailboats are prone to might affect accuracy as the water is bent around the keel. Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
Location of transducer.
Tom, my opinion is a forward location for transducer is best. However, on a 26 foot boat without a keel, it won't make a big difference. Think about it; even at a half knot, a forward mounted transducer won't give much warning before the transom is over the same spot. If you set a depth alarm for a minimum "comfort" level, you should be able to alter course without fear of grounding. Mark Kissel Kittiwake/98H240
Tom, my opinion is a forward location for transducer is best. However, on a 26 foot boat without a keel, it won't make a big difference. Think about it; even at a half knot, a forward mounted transducer won't give much warning before the transom is over the same spot. If you set a depth alarm for a minimum "comfort" level, you should be able to alter course without fear of grounding. Mark Kissel Kittiwake/98H240
Depth Sounders
Haven't done this yet, but I've done an expensive amount of research. My recommendation is to go with a Fish Finder- specifically the Humminbird 200 series (which, coincidentally, a lot of places are selling in the $150 range and including a free speed/temperature transducer to go with it). I like this unit because, with the speed/temp transducer, you can pull up a data screen that gives you: Depth Speed Log/distance travelled Water surface temp (so what?) Battery voltage More info than you can get on the tridata for a WHOLE lot less moola. According to the MFR, you can mount the depth transducer inside the hull against the fiberglass with epoxy and suffer little to no distortion or inaccuracies. As for the speed, temp transducer, I haven't worked out the bugs there yet. I'm thinking about a small bracket mounted to the transom with a short, removable post that angles under the boat and out of the tiller's way.
Haven't done this yet, but I've done an expensive amount of research. My recommendation is to go with a Fish Finder- specifically the Humminbird 200 series (which, coincidentally, a lot of places are selling in the $150 range and including a free speed/temperature transducer to go with it). I like this unit because, with the speed/temp transducer, you can pull up a data screen that gives you: Depth Speed Log/distance travelled Water surface temp (so what?) Battery voltage More info than you can get on the tridata for a WHOLE lot less moola. According to the MFR, you can mount the depth transducer inside the hull against the fiberglass with epoxy and suffer little to no distortion or inaccuracies. As for the speed, temp transducer, I haven't worked out the bugs there yet. I'm thinking about a small bracket mounted to the transom with a short, removable post that angles under the boat and out of the tiller's way.
Test it first!
I wasn't able to find a spot forward of the ballast tank on my H23.5 so it's mounted just aft of the ballast under the rear berth. The sounder is mounted with RTV and can be removed. 75' is the deepest water I've been in and it works fine but steep heel angles will mess it up. Try to mount it near the center and I agree, it probably shouldn't be behind the keel. You can try various locations by using KY Jelly to fill the gaps. It's a good way to test and easy to clean up. It's always possible to pick a spot on the hull that has some minor flaw such as a small bubble that is a major problem for the sounder. Ken S/V Wouff Hong
I wasn't able to find a spot forward of the ballast tank on my H23.5 so it's mounted just aft of the ballast under the rear berth. The sounder is mounted with RTV and can be removed. 75' is the deepest water I've been in and it works fine but steep heel angles will mess it up. Try to mount it near the center and I agree, it probably shouldn't be behind the keel. You can try various locations by using KY Jelly to fill the gaps. It's a good way to test and easy to clean up. It's always possible to pick a spot on the hull that has some minor flaw such as a small bubble that is a major problem for the sounder. Ken S/V Wouff Hong
Thanks ALL!
As usual, the response from this forum is quick, on target and much appreciated by me. Thank you all! I sit here in my condo overlooking the Atlantic in Pompano Beach as I write this. Alas, tomorrow is the end of vacation and I and the crew must return to the frigid north (Cincinnati). But, the lake is now open and we can get the boat in the water. I envy all of you who live year round in a warmer climate. Thanks again all. Tom s/v ANOVA
As usual, the response from this forum is quick, on target and much appreciated by me. Thank you all! I sit here in my condo overlooking the Atlantic in Pompano Beach as I write this. Alas, tomorrow is the end of vacation and I and the crew must return to the frigid north (Cincinnati). But, the lake is now open and we can get the boat in the water. I envy all of you who live year round in a warmer climate. Thanks again all. Tom s/v ANOVA
Who make speed through-hull-no-hole system ?
.. and where can such be bought ? Anyone has experience with such a unit ?
.. and where can such be bought ? Anyone has experience with such a unit ?
Depth/Speed plus a real fishfinder?
By the time you add the price of two separate units however, why not consider the Humminbird 300TX? (And maybe consider a thru Hull transducer while you're at it - putting in a thru hull is not that difficult) Transom-mount Speed/Temp sensor (About $70.00 by itself) is included in the price which makes it a better deal than the 200 DX plus the optional sensor. For a couple-hundred bucks you'll have true fish-finding capability along with your speed/Temp.
By the time you add the price of two separate units however, why not consider the Humminbird 300TX? (And maybe consider a thru Hull transducer while you're at it - putting in a thru hull is not that difficult) Transom-mount Speed/Temp sensor (About $70.00 by itself) is included in the price which makes it a better deal than the 200 DX plus the optional sensor. For a couple-hundred bucks you'll have true fish-finding capability along with your speed/Temp.
I'll Add another wrinkle
Why you're at it, the GARMIN GPSMAP 125 is a fishfinder with GPS built in. I got mine for a pretty good deal at West Marine. The fishfinder has the advanatge of telling you what time of bottom you have, which helps when anchoring. I shoot through the hull, so the temperature reading is not accurate. The GPS feature is great, and it also has NMEA output for the autopilot. Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
Why you're at it, the GARMIN GPSMAP 125 is a fishfinder with GPS built in. I got mine for a pretty good deal at West Marine. The fishfinder has the advanatge of telling you what time of bottom you have, which helps when anchoring. I shoot through the hull, so the temperature reading is not accurate. The GPS feature is great, and it also has NMEA output for the autopilot. Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
- Status