I am taking delivery on a 260 in two weeks. I have not yet selected a depth finder. Are there depth finders with transducers that will function without a new hole in my new boat? Where is the best place for transducer placement? Should I get a stand alone depth gauge or in combo with a fish finder? Thanks.
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Fishfinder & no holes
I found a Bottom Line unit with a very low profile transducer that I simply glued to the bottom with silicone caulk. Has temperature, depth and battery voltage display. The cable is long enough to run to the cabin. The back of the box which is part of the swivel mount can be removed with a few screws so you can mount it flat.
I found a Bottom Line unit with a very low profile transducer that I simply glued to the bottom with silicone caulk. Has temperature, depth and battery voltage display. The cable is long enough to run to the cabin. The back of the box which is part of the swivel mount can be removed with a few screws so you can mount it flat.
Attachments
Fishfinder
I bought an Eagle fishfinder unit. I mounted it to a small piece of oak and attached clips (used to hang up brooms) to the oak. That lets me clip it onto the sternrail. The temperature sender and depth sounder mount to the stern flange of the boat with more of the clips bent to spread them a bit wider. I added a lighter plug into the fuel locker. Now I can attach the whole system in just a few minutes. When not in use it stays in the cabin out of the elements although I usually leave the sending units in place. Most of my sailing is in familiar waters where I know the depth. When I head somewhere else I just pop the unit in place and plug it in. It really works out well.
I bought an Eagle fishfinder unit. I mounted it to a small piece of oak and attached clips (used to hang up brooms) to the oak. That lets me clip it onto the sternrail. The temperature sender and depth sounder mount to the stern flange of the boat with more of the clips bent to spread them a bit wider. I added a lighter plug into the fuel locker. Now I can attach the whole system in just a few minutes. When not in use it stays in the cabin out of the elements although I usually leave the sending units in place. Most of my sailing is in familiar waters where I know the depth. When I head somewhere else I just pop the unit in place and plug it in. It really works out well.
Garmin GPSMAP Fishfinder
I installed a GARMIN GPSMAP125 Fishfinder on my H26. The transducer is glued to the bilge just forward of the bilge pump. It shoots through the hull. I installed the GPS Antenna on the stern rail and the display is mounted on a GoldenEye quick release bracket. I bought a second bracket so I have two mounting bases. When sailing, the display is in the cockpit. When I lock up the unit is behind the companionway steps, out of the way. It has a GPS, depth speed, temperature, Anchor alarm and Man Overboard Alarm. It also has an NMEA0183 output so it actually steers the Autohelm 2000 tillerpilot. Oh yeah, it finds fish too.
I installed a GARMIN GPSMAP125 Fishfinder on my H26. The transducer is glued to the bilge just forward of the bilge pump. It shoots through the hull. I installed the GPS Antenna on the stern rail and the display is mounted on a GoldenEye quick release bracket. I bought a second bracket so I have two mounting bases. When sailing, the display is in the cockpit. When I lock up the unit is behind the companionway steps, out of the way. It has a GPS, depth speed, temperature, Anchor alarm and Man Overboard Alarm. It also has an NMEA0183 output so it actually steers the Autohelm 2000 tillerpilot. Oh yeah, it finds fish too.
best placement
If anyone is going to do a thru hull placement of a transducer, the only place is the rear berth to either side of the bilge pump in the 260
If anyone is going to do a thru hull placement of a transducer, the only place is the rear berth to either side of the bilge pump in the 260
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