Depth Sounder Dilemma-CD25D

[Mimi Litsche]

I have CD25D #54-1982 hull. I have a digital Signet Marine depth sounder of unknown vintage that is not currently working. Last summer the readout unit was sent back to the factory and tested out fine. A new (reconditioned) transducer cable socket was installed on the unit. The unit reads only '18.8 ft' in a flashing pattern no matter where we are on the water. From this experience one deduces that the transducer and/or the transducer cable is the problem.
The transducer is currently mounted in the bow about 18" below the water line. There is an access port to the back of the TD unit in the forward head. The cable takes a very tortuous route up behind the bulkhead, then aft underneath the cabin seam (where all the nasty fiberglass spikes live), behind the power panel to the readout.
I would like to keep the transducer where it is, but am I crazy to want this? It does seem the perfect place, but...
Should I drill another hole in the bottom somewhere else? If I do--how do I lead the cable to the readout unit without it showing? Is this something I can install myself? Does anyone out there know anything about Signet Marine?--Good unit or not? Do I chuck this system and buy another one? ANY HELP!! or information from the more experienced out there will be super appreciated. Happy Holidays.



mlitsche@hotmail.com

[Peter]

I have a Signet unit on my Hunter 18.5. It has never worked right, and I phoned Signet and arranged to get a new transducer. Cost was somewhere in the vicinity of $150. I installed the new transducer and the damn thing still doesn't work. From my experience with Signet I would suggest you replace it with another brand. They are hard to get hold of and I've never been able to get mine to work right. I don't like drilling holes in the hull of my boat, and would not do so, but admit that I may be a bit extreme in that feeling. I have recently acquired a CD26 and am looking for a decent depth sounder / speed indicator. I am not considering a Signet model. Also, you might want to consider some of the types where the transducer mounts on the sole of the boat -- the "in-hull" type where you need not drill through your hull. These do not work for speed indicators, but seem to be OK for depth sounders. If you need the phone number for Signet I have it somewhere in the mess that surrounds my computer. Email me directly and I will locate it and email it directly back to you (assuming I can find it!!).
Good luck.
Peter, S/V Larrikin

I have CD25D #54-1982 hull. I have a digital Signet Marine depth sounder of unknown vintage that is not currently working. Last summer the readout unit was sent back to the factory and tested out fine. A new (reconditioned) transducer cable socket was installed on the unit. The unit reads only '18.8 ft' in a flashing pattern no matter where we are on the water. From this experience one deduces that the transducer and/or the transducer cable is the problem.
The transducer is currently mounted in the bow about 18" below the water line. There is an access port to the back of the TD unit in the forward head. The cable takes a very tortuous route up behind the bulkhead, then aft underneath the cabin seam (where all the nasty fiberglass spikes live), behind the power panel to the readout.
I would like to keep the transducer where it is, but am I crazy to want this? It does seem the perfect place, but...
Should I drill another hole in the bottom somewhere else? If I do--how do I lead the cable to the readout unit without it showing? Is this something I can install myself? Does anyone out there know anything about Signet Marine?--Good unit or not? Do I chuck this system and buy another one? ANY HELP!! or information from the more experienced out there will be super appreciated. Happy Holidays.

pkozup@juno.com

[Jerry]

I've had bad experiences dealing with SIGNET Marine (on a depth sounder repair) and I would not recommend them at all. They do shoddy work and their repair warranty is so short that it's almost useless. I had my depth sounder repaired over the winter while my CD30 was on the hard and the warranty expired before I could relaunch in the spring to see if the unit worked. IT DIDN'T, AND SIGNET REFUSED TO MAKE GOOD ON THE REPAIR. I suggest throwing the SIGNET unit away and buying a new unit from a reputable company.

I have CD25D #54-1982 hull. I have a digital Signet Marine depth sounder of unknown vintage that is not currently working. Last summer the readout unit was sent back to the factory and tested out fine. A new (reconditioned) transducer cable socket was installed on the unit. The unit reads only '18.8 ft' in a flashing pattern no matter where we are on the water. From this experience one deduces that the transducer and/or the transducer cable is the problem.
The transducer is currently mounted in the bow about 18" below the water line. There is an access port to the back of the TD unit in the forward head. The cable takes a very tortuous route up behind the bulkhead, then aft underneath the cabin seam (where all the nasty fiberglass spikes live), behind the power panel to the readout.
I would like to keep the transducer where it is, but am I crazy to want this? It does seem the perfect place, but...
Should I drill another hole in the bottom somewhere else? If I do--how do I lead the cable to the readout unit without it showing? Is this something I can install myself? Does anyone out there know anything about Signet Marine?--Good unit or not? Do I chuck this system and buy another one? ANY HELP!! or information from the more experienced out there will be super appreciated. Happy Holidays.

[Bill]

And if you end up getting a new DS get the tranducer that shoots through the hull, install in just aft and inside of the galley door (under the stove) and next to the ice box. Works like charm....

Fair Winds and Happy Holidays

Bill
CD25D
S/V Rhapsody

I've had bad experiences dealing with SIGNET Marine (on a depth sounder repair) and I would not recommend them at all. They do shoddy work and their repair warranty is so short that it's almost useless. I had my depth sounder repaired over the winter while my CD30 was on the hard and the warranty expired before I could relaunch in the spring to see if the unit worked. IT DIDN'T, AND SIGNET REFUSED TO MAKE GOOD ON THE REPAIR. I suggest throwing the SIGNET unit away and buying a new unit from a reputable company.

I have CD25D #54-1982 hull. I have a digital Signet Marine depth sounder of unknown vintage that is not currently working. Last summer the readout unit was sent back to the factory and tested out fine. A new (reconditioned) transducer cable socket was installed on the unit. The unit reads only '18.8 ft' in a flashing pattern no matter where we are on the water. From this experience one deduces that the transducer and/or the transducer cable is the problem.
The transducer is currently mounted in the bow about 18" below the water line. There is an access port to the back of the TD unit in the forward head. The cable takes a very tortuous route up behind the bulkhead, then aft underneath the cabin seam (where all the nasty fiberglass spikes live), behind the power panel to the readout.
I would like to keep the transducer where it is, but am I crazy to want this? It does seem the perfect place, but...
Should I drill another hole in the bottom somewhere else? If I do--how do I lead the cable to the readout unit without it showing? Is this something I can install myself? Does anyone out there know anything about Signet Marine?--Good unit or not? Do I chuck this system and buy another one? ANY HELP!! or information from the more experienced out there will be super appreciated. Happy Holidays.

cd25d@rhapsodysails.com

[Lou Ostendorff]

Hi Mimi;
I have a CD25D, #63, '82 model that came with a Signet Model 172 digital depth sounder. As far as I can tell, it's the original unit. Mine is currently working, but I've had some intermittent problems with it....like the display locked at 3.5', or blanked out, or some other depth. I've narrowed the problem down to either a fouled transducer, or some corrosion in the connector close to the display unit. To date, I've been able to get the unit working again by cleaning at these two locations. The unit seems to be reliable as long as the connections are working. I've never had to deal with Signet Marine, so I can't speak to that issue. I do have a complete copy of the manual in case you want to experiment with it before buying another one. One thing I remember about the signal cable is that the length of the cable is critical and cannot be changed in any way...also it can't be coiled or wrapped up, otherwise erratic behavior may result. My 25D, Karma, has the transducer mounted just inside the engine access hatch...not the most ideal location, but since I don't like drilling holes in the boat, I live with it and proceed with caution in shallow areas. Let me know if you need any of the literature, and good luck!

Lou Ostendorff
CD25D Karma
#63, '82



louosten@ipass.net