Having just been hauled out for the winter, I found out why my knot meter hasn't worked for the past few months. The paddle wheel on the transducer had a few small barnacles on it. What is the best way to solve this problem for next season. Transducer paint or bottom paint or try to clean it more often. Any suggestions
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Barnacles
I've had good luck with transducer paint. I do the speed paddle wheel and the housing that is in contact with water being careful to not paint the shaft the paddle wheel spins on.. I also coat the depth sounder transducer face with great results. No grass or barnacles on that either.
I've had good luck with transducer paint. I do the speed paddle wheel and the housing that is in contact with water being careful to not paint the shaft the paddle wheel spins on.. I also coat the depth sounder transducer face with great results. No grass or barnacles on that either.
Speed Log
Ron: We have a new H-306, and find that all it takes is 1-2 weeks in the water to foul the speed log paddles with critters, if you leave the log sensor in the water. So, if you have to take it out and clean it every time you go out (or weekly), you might as well take it out each time you come in and plug the hole, thus not having to clean it at all (or maybe only seasonaly). Bill
Ron: We have a new H-306, and find that all it takes is 1-2 weeks in the water to foul the speed log paddles with critters, if you leave the log sensor in the water. So, if you have to take it out and clean it every time you go out (or weekly), you might as well take it out each time you come in and plug the hole, thus not having to clean it at all (or maybe only seasonaly). Bill
Dummy Plugs ?
Bill, On our Hunter 386 there are dummy plugs hung next to the speed probe and the sounder transducer. When I read that you clean yours often I assume that you pull them out and insert the plugs while the boat is in the water. I've wanted to do that as well (zebra mussels) during the season but was a little nervous about swapping them while in the water in case there was trouble with either the plug or reinserting the probes. If that is what you and other are doing i'll try this next season.
Bill, On our Hunter 386 there are dummy plugs hung next to the speed probe and the sounder transducer. When I read that you clean yours often I assume that you pull them out and insert the plugs while the boat is in the water. I've wanted to do that as well (zebra mussels) during the season but was a little nervous about swapping them while in the water in case there was trouble with either the plug or reinserting the probes. If that is what you and other are doing i'll try this next season.
Knotmeter wheels..
Over the years, I've fought the good fight to keep the paddle wheel on my knot meter clean of gunk and critters. I've tried just about everything from bottom paint laced with cayene pepper to zinc oxide (which worked well for almost a month!). BTW, most knot meter makers advise you NOT to paint the wheel with bottom paint. I'm happy to report that I've now solved this nagging problem: I use the GPS instead. Never fouls, works everytime. I realize the GPS is giving me speed over ground and not speed thru the water, but the differences are not significant. I now never even uncover my knotmeter...
Over the years, I've fought the good fight to keep the paddle wheel on my knot meter clean of gunk and critters. I've tried just about everything from bottom paint laced with cayene pepper to zinc oxide (which worked well for almost a month!). BTW, most knot meter makers advise you NOT to paint the wheel with bottom paint. I'm happy to report that I've now solved this nagging problem: I use the GPS instead. Never fouls, works everytime. I realize the GPS is giving me speed over ground and not speed thru the water, but the differences are not significant. I now never even uncover my knotmeter...
Ron
Since taking deliver of my 420 in '01 I've been keeping it in the Ches. Bay in the Summer and the Keys in the Winter. During the first Summer I too had trouble with marine growth fouling the paddle wheel. Got tired of pulling it out, ( inserting the plug) and cleaning it every 2-3 weeks.. Decided to try spraying the paddle with clear outdrive paint (which contains TBT), sold at West Marine. I've been spraying the paddle wheel twice a year since '01 and have had almost no problems since then with fouling.
Since taking deliver of my 420 in '01 I've been keeping it in the Ches. Bay in the Summer and the Keys in the Winter. During the first Summer I too had trouble with marine growth fouling the paddle wheel. Got tired of pulling it out, ( inserting the plug) and cleaning it every 2-3 weeks.. Decided to try spraying the paddle with clear outdrive paint (which contains TBT), sold at West Marine. I've been spraying the paddle wheel twice a year since '01 and have had almost no problems since then with fouling.
Care and feeding of paddle wheels
Ron, For the first three years of ownership, I wrestled with this problem. I would leave it in for a few weeks and remember that I forgot to check it. I pulled it out and scraped the wheel. Then the sensor apparently gave out from, I suspect, too much scraping. I decided to buy a new sensor from Ray Marine which cost $70. I butt-spliced it in and have since removed/replaced it every time I go out. So as not to forget, I placed a sticky note inside the meter's readout cover to remind me to replace the wheel. I guess the main reason I go through this ritual is that I don't want to spend another $70. John Richard s/v Jack's Place
Ron, For the first three years of ownership, I wrestled with this problem. I would leave it in for a few weeks and remember that I forgot to check it. I pulled it out and scraped the wheel. Then the sensor apparently gave out from, I suspect, too much scraping. I decided to buy a new sensor from Ray Marine which cost $70. I butt-spliced it in and have since removed/replaced it every time I go out. So as not to forget, I placed a sticky note inside the meter's readout cover to remind me to replace the wheel. I guess the main reason I go through this ritual is that I don't want to spend another $70. John Richard s/v Jack's Place
I Use Transducer Paint...
...and have used it for 15 years. Sometimes, at the end of the season when the boat isn't used quite as often, it will show signs of wearing thin. A small bottle has lasted me for years and will last for years to come.
...and have used it for 15 years. Sometimes, at the end of the season when the boat isn't used quite as often, it will show signs of wearing thin. A small bottle has lasted me for years and will last for years to come.
Knot meter plug
My 1997 H376 has ST50 instruments, my knot meter tube has a bronze flap so when you pull the transducer the flap shuts and very little water comes in giving you plenty of time to swap between transducer and plug, makes for a lot less drama! I'll bet your H386 being newer probably has the same setup. I always remove it when I know it'll be a week or more before I will be going out again, transducer still looks new!
My 1997 H376 has ST50 instruments, my knot meter tube has a bronze flap so when you pull the transducer the flap shuts and very little water comes in giving you plenty of time to swap between transducer and plug, makes for a lot less drama! I'll bet your H386 being newer probably has the same setup. I always remove it when I know it'll be a week or more before I will be going out again, transducer still looks new!
Re: Knotlog
Every knotlog that I've seen on Hunters, is located off centerline and in an awkward to to get at location. I moved mine centerline and 18" forward of the keel(the ideal location). This makes it a breeze to pull and plug. When we board the boat the plug is removed and the knotlog installed. When we're done sailing the plug is put back. Takes all of 10 seconds and the knotlog NEVER needs cleaning.
Every knotlog that I've seen on Hunters, is located off centerline and in an awkward to to get at location. I moved mine centerline and 18" forward of the keel(the ideal location). This makes it a breeze to pull and plug. When we board the boat the plug is removed and the knotlog installed. When we're done sailing the plug is put back. Takes all of 10 seconds and the knotlog NEVER needs cleaning.
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