Transducer Location

[Dave Royce]

I have a 1994 23.5 Hunter. When I purchased this boat it already had Autohelm Speed and Depth system installed. After reading alot of the articles here, I have started to wonder about the transducer locations. The speed and depth transducer are located just off center line midway between the keel and the rudder. Basically they are directly under the cockpit.As far as the depth transducer being so far aft, if the depth changes quickly and the sensor is behind the keel, it is possible that I could run aground prior to the system detecting the depth change. And with speed transducer being behind the keel am I getting dirty water and not getting a good accurate speed reading?Any ideas??????...should I move them or leave them alone.

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

ducers

Dave -True enough about the possibility of hitting something with the keel before you get a warning, but I bet it doesn't matter much. If you're in deep water and a rock pops up you're going to hit it even if the ducer is in the bow. If the bottom is coming up gradually, you slow down and inch along. At that point you might tap something with the keel but you ought to be traveling pretty slow. Other may argue, but I don't feel like the additional warning time would justify the expense of having to deal with glass the hole - though it might be a good learning experience.As to the knotlog - its hard to tell. Before I did anything drastic I'd want to use GPS to check it. If its off you can fix it next season.Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[Thomas Ehmke]

Dave- turbulence could be a problem

Dave,If there is any turbulence from the keel, it could affect the paddle transducer for the knot meter. Turbulence and air bubbles could affect the depth sounder transducer and cause it to read erratically at times. That having been said, the knotmeter and depth sounder on my ODay 272 are located forward of the keel and both can read erratically from turbulence. Like Justin says, try it for a season. If the readings are accurate and consistent, why mess with the locations?Tom