What's your Depth Sounder

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Sep 3, 2007
70
2 25 Narragansett Bay RI
I'm wondering what folks are using for Depth Sounders. My 25 had a Hawkeye that the previous owner tore out in frustration, and I have been careful to sail in charted waters, but really need to get something installed since I have a nasty little Channel to get to open water (Joe probably knows the Bristol Narrows well!). Anyway, after a little research, all of the small in dash units, like the Hawkeye and Hummingbirds seem to have problems with the gauges giving up after a season or two. My research seems to point to the LOWRANCE M68C, which combines a depth/fish finder and GPS, for about $400, which is about my limit for a depth sounder, but with the added bonus of GPS. Also, I was planning to install the transducer in the hull, amidships. Anyone have any problems with that type of set up? I'm not real crazy about doing a transom mount and would rather not put another hole in the hull. Any suggestions would be appreciated since I know most sailing magazines are not apt to criticize advertisers, so unbiased opinions are welcomed.
 
Dec 8, 2006
1,085
Oday 26 Starr, SC
Everlong?

I have a 26 and would be interested exactly where you plan to mount the mid ship transducer? How far off centerline? Then where are you going to have the receiver part? Ed K
 
Sep 3, 2007
70
2 25 Narragansett Bay RI
re: Depth Sounder

Ed, I was thinking of mounting in the V-Berth access, against the bulkhead in the compartment. My thought is I could inbed the transducer at that point since it is relatively flat. As for mounting the reciever, I actually thought of mounting it on an arm on the port side of the compaionway, keeping the unit safe from Gull-Droppings and foul weather, with the arm swinging to the the top of the compaionway under sail. Snaking the wire might be a trick, but I'm not to keen about leaving electronics out in the weather. Chuck L.
 
Jan 24, 2005
4,881
Oday 222 Dighton, Ma.
Depth sounders

You know? I know absolutely nothing about depth sounders, but I'd love to have one on my boat Trinkka. Yes Sir! I know Bristol Narrows very well. If you go by that old park with the rickety old ramp on Mount Hope Point, you'll see an 86 O'Day 272 moored close by. That's the boat that I delivered up from the Cape this past spring. It belongs to a good friend of mine. Anyway, getting back to depth sounders; My friend Wayne has one on his Seaward 22 that swings out near the Companionway for easy viewing. His has both depth and speed, and it works great. I'm not sure what brand it is, or how much he paid for it. Right now, I have a bull horn for my radio mounted on a piece of teak, that swings out in the companionway. I recently installed it. If I was going to install the unit, I'd probably install it the same way that Wayne installed his, because you can move back out of the way when not in use and it's always in a protected place. I'd also be interested to learn more about where to place the transducer on my boat, as well. Joe
 
Sep 3, 2007
70
2 25 Narragansett Bay RI
Raynarine Depth

ED, That is exactly the transducer placement I was thinking about. Nice Pix, thanks for the pix. Looks like a nice clean install also. I have heard very good things about the Raymarine Units. Do you have a picture of the display units? I'm assuming you mounted in the cockpit? Also, was the tansducer wires sufficient enough in length to reach the mounting area or did you have to purchase additional cable? Chuck
 
Sep 3, 2007
70
2 25 Narragansett Bay RI
Depth Sounder

Joe, Know the point well, I'll have to keep an eye out for the boat. When I first started sailing in 1983, the 272 was my dream boat. To be frank, though, for my purposes the 25 is probably the perfect boat. As for the mounting, I found a great picture in the owner's section of the mounting I was thinking about, (thanks Carlos for the nice picture, hope you don't mind linking to it). Chuck
 
Jan 24, 2005
4,881
Oday 222 Dighton, Ma.
Depth sounder location

Chuck, That's exactly where where Wayne mounted his, and that's where mine would go if I decide to get one. Myself, I'd prefer the 25 over the 272, only because the running rigging is less complicated on the 25. That particular boat has a rope for everything, and it's all located on top of the cabin on both sides of the Companionway hatch with rope clutches. I suppose it's all in what you're accustomed to using. There are a lot of sailors out there who would prefer to do everything from the cockpit. So this would be the ideal boat for them. The interior of that boat is beautiful, too. The hull is in great shape, but the windows need some kind of attention. The owner's name is Mike. So if you happen to see him on it as you sail by, tell him that an "Ole fuzzy faced sailor" named Joe said "Hi". I didn't get out to the bay all that much last year, but those areas of Mount Hope Bay are my favorite. If I don't make it to Potter's Cove on Prudence Island, I'm usually anchored near the Spa Islands or Church Cove with Penny. These are two of our favorite overnight anchorages. Especially the Spars because of the absence of mosquitoes. Next year I'm going to try and get out to the bay more often and do some two day trips every week. The Brightman Street Bridge presents a lot of problems during the week with time restrictions. I was hoping that they'd hurry up and get that new bridge finished, but I'll probably never see it in my lifetime. Ahoy! Joe
 
Sep 3, 2007
70
2 25 Narragansett Bay RI
RE:Display Location

ED, Very nice. That is a good option, pretty clean looking, too. Thanks for posting them.
 
Jan 24, 2005
4,881
Oday 222 Dighton, Ma.
The Kicky

Chuck, I'll be looking for it when I'm in that area of the Kicky. My boat is very easy to spot. It has the name "Trinkka" in large letters on the sides, I'm always towing a small green kayak, and my First Mate is a Blue Brindle Dog. My wife got all cruised out years ago and stays home with the grandchildren. The dog loves to sail and kayak with me, but the important thing is, she never give me any s#@+ ! Joe
 
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