What depth sounder should I get?

[lost soul]

SO what is the thought on depth sounders lately?
I have a Tartan 34 sloop, not a racer, just a regular day sailor with some cruising. Bahama hopeful.
I am about to haul the boat and do some serious maintenance. Rats ate the wire off my depth sounder transducer, so it is time to up grade. The display is shot too, so I am not that upset about that rat damage. (dont get me going about the anchor rode)

I have a bronze thru hull connected to a West Marine (Standard) depth only display. Just a big number telling the depth.

Lately I have read that shoot thru the hull transducers are popular. Also, it seems, that fish finder displays are often used instead of the traditional digit readout display.

I think a fish finder display might be fun, and even cheaper then those digit displays. I could replace my broken thru hull and wonder if I could pair it with a fish finder. Some guys have said this is possible with an appropriate adapter.

If shoot thru transducers are acceptable, I might prefer that over having a thru hull.

I wish to have a stand alone depth sounder and dont plan or having it paired with any other instruments or navigation program.

Of course I am seeking budget solutions.

What do you guys think?

Thanks----
frank

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

I h ave a fish finder mounted on a swing out arm, using as shoot thru hull transducer which is epoxied to the hull.

Works great. You do lose a small amount of sensitivity shooting thru the hull, but since I'm really more interested in 6-8 feet, rather than 200-330, it never has mattered. And my 1961 dutch built boat has a THICK hull
this pic shows a Humminbird on my old boat, but I've since switched to a Lowrance on Tehani. Same setup though. Pics show stowed, and in use

 

[Davidasailor26]

We did the same thing as TSBB with a Lowrance Elite 5-DSI. Bedded the transom mount transducer against the inside of the hull with caulk. Worked fine from 3' to at least 80.

 

[Franklin]

I too went with a fish finder. Did not make sense to pay $500 for a depth sounder that only gave me a number when I could get a fish finder to give me a number and a graph and show me if fish are under by boat for $200 less.

I didn't feel like messing with the existing thru-hull so I just left the old transducer in and glue the new one to the inside of the hull; that allowed me to move it more forward which I like. I first used caulking but I couldn't seem to get the bubbles out so it would only work the first week or two. I eventually gave up on that and used epoxy; that was 6 years ago and today it is still working fine but the display seems to have gotten moisture inside it. They don't make this unit anymore so I can't just get a new display...will have to replace the whole thing again.

It now can read up to 300 feet - that is all I need.

 

[Ken Cross]

I've been using fish finders for years and haven't found a downside. I also like to fish.
It certainly provides better indication of actual bottom conditions once you learn to read it.

Ken

 

[Joe]

I'd just replace the wiring... If you want something better... get a chartplotter with a smart transducer.

 

[All U Get]

Cruising friends got two bike mounts for the binnacle to hold iPad and depth sounder. I think he paid twenty each. Easy to store below when not in use.

All U Get

 

[lost soul]

Thanks everyone!

I can see I have a choice to make, LOL. Actually if all I want is to know the depth I can get either a digital readout or a fish finder for around 100 dollars with a shoot thru.

Then I can move up to a GPS fish finder, Garmin Striker for $120. Or I can go to a fish finder plotter from a few vendors for 100 or 200 more.

I am still inquiring about the transducers.

I may just start with the Hawk Eye digital read out for less then 100. It is simple and I can mount it on the cabin so it can be seen from any point in the cock pit. The fish finder plotters would be mounted closer to the helm.

BTW I am about to pull the boat and have a long list of projects for the Florida winter. Rebuild the rudder, remove the center board, scrape years of growth, repaint the bottom, redo the teak and on and on. I will post questions about all this, I am sure.
Thanks again!!

frank

 

[rbringle]

I first got a fish finder and shot through by bedding the transducer with plumbers putty (in case I wanted to move the transducer--which I haven't). Then we got a chart plotter that also has depth and I shot that transducer through the hull w/ plumbers putty again. I only rarely turn on the fisher finder now. The chart plotter has been the best investment for our cruising, giving us clarity of location, navigation aids, waypoints, depths, ETAs, and routes. It also provides displays of the bottom (not only a number) and fish like a fish finder does. I still use paper charts, but the chart plotter makes all travel safer. If you are thinking about coastal sailing and possibly the islands, I would recommend a chart plotter with depth. More money, but the best value.