posted May 14, 2004 03:29 PM            

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I installed a digital display depth sounder from Radio Shack, complete with a thru-hull transducer. (Drilling a large hole in the boat's bottom was quite traumatic!) The depth sounder cabling allows it to be brought out into the cockpit for easy viewing from the helm position.

I initially tried to mount it in a water or oil filled box inside the hull and ping the signal through the hull, but that didn't work very well. Gluing the transducer to the inside of the holl wouldn't work either.

The hole is inside the starb'd locker under the settee, just about 1/3 the way back from the front of the locker. It's just about 3 inches up the curve of the hull from the inside (keel side) bulkhead. There are only a few good locations for a transducer....remembering that you don't want it to be beside or behind the keel (turbulence) and pointing straight down as much as possible. I glued the 3-1/2 inch high tranducer into the hull with 3M 5200. It's nearly flush with the hull outside. We placed a plastic yogurt container upside down over the transducer to protect it from heavy gear inside the locker. The container was injected with aerosol foam, then sealed. The cable makes it's way through the locker, then into the depth sounder display.

posted May 14, 2004 07:42 PM            

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I have a hummingbird fishfinder. I mounted the transducer with epoxy. Got to make sure there are no air bubbles. Its mounted on the right side storage compartment as far forward as it can go toward the bow. As far to the inside torawrd the center of the boat. There its shooting through solid glass. The display is on the portside of the boat under the compass. I'll take a picture tomorrow and post it. Its been working well for two years now. No drilling holes in the boat, except for leading out to the cockpit.

Sid

[This message has been edited by Hyprstitch (edited May 14, 2004).]

posted May 19, 2004 02:49 PM            

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It does you very little good if it is not placed up toward the bow. Keep iit as level as you can. And I've not had a chance to take a picture, but I'll do that soon.

Sid

posted May 22, 2004 09:51 AM            

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I'll be taking the boat out this weekend, Carter Lake I believe. I'll get pictures of the placement of the transducer. Also the boat interior. This will be the first sail of the year.

Sid

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posted June 13, 2004 02:28 PM            

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Glad it worked out, I knew it would. I keep my depth alarm set for 5 feet. With the keel all the way down I can sail in 3 feet of water.

Sid

posted June 14, 2004 12:28 PM            

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R-U sure that it isn't merely registering how much water you have in the bilge????

I tried gluing the transducer inside the locker and shooting the beam thru the bottom. It didn't work in any location so I gave up & drilled a hole.