Thru Hull Blues

[Neil Smith]

This spring I'm having Ciao Bella hauled for a bottom job and while I'm at it, will be installing a Moor depth sounder (that I've had in the box for several months) that has a thru hull transducer. It appears that the positioning is pretty crucial, but more importantly is the "fairing" aspect of the hole cut in the hull that the transducer fits into. Since I've never done this type of thing before and the hands at the marina have, I'll defer to their expertise in the instalation. My question is what to do when the transducer is installed. Do I have them paint over it when they do the bottom? Or would, as I suspect, the bottom paint adversely affect it's performance? If no paint over, then how do I protect it from that nastygrowth here in Florida? And on the next haul-out/bottom re-paint, what precautions need to be taken to not screw up the unit. Any info will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Steve Dion]

Couple of ways.

Neil:There are a couple of things here.1. Some of these transducers can be epoxied inside the hull. If you do it this way you do not need to worry about using a thru hull for it. I have had my depth sounder working that way for 15 years and it works just fine. You may need to check with the mfg. to see if that is an option.2. Also some of the transducers have the ability to pull the transducer out of the thru hull fitting while in the water. This was you can clean it and then just re-install it.3. There are some paints that are specifically made for transducers. You should be able to find them in most any marine store.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Bottom-paint OK?

I paint over my depth transducer. Last year I did a complete bottom job but did not put the barrier coat on the transducer, just the Trinidad SR. Seems to work OK.

 

[John J. Brady]

Heres a better Option

I have use the same system on another boat one of my family members has. It was a 25' cat power. The hull was so thick and the angels were so screwwy we had a real delema. After alot of consulting, I go a great suggestion. It does not even have to be put through the hull just sitting in liquid. I got the brilliant idea to sit the transducer on top of a partially filled H2o Sun shower that I had sitting around. I put the sun shower in the bildge, Taped the trandducer to the top of it and that's it. Guess what. It worked just fine. Don't believe me? Just try it before you cut a hole.

 

[Neil Smith]

Thanks

Thanks for your feedback. While I usually follow directions, I have an inherent fear of cutting holes in the bottom of boats. Therefore, I'm gonna try the less drastic measure. Fair Winds,Neil

 

[Ed Tamara]

Depth sounder

Hi Neal:I also live in Fl so great depths are not a problem to us.I didn't cut a hole, I epoxied a 3"piece of PVC to the bottom of the boat under the V berth just forward of the keel, It is just fiberglass there, I used a compass to trace the contour of the inside of the hull and then I laid a bed of epoxy and position the PVC there 10 years ago, I also had the 3"cap for the PVC and drilled a hole trhu it and the cable goes trhu it to the head of the depthsounder and then I just filled with soapy water whenever it needs it. so far it has performed flawlesslyGood LuckEdS/V Mastconfusion