What is the best location for a knot meter and depth sounder tranducer on a cape dory 30?
lk23@gis.net
best location for tranducers on cape dory 30
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Larry DeMers
Re: best location for tranducers on cape dory 30
There may be some distance between "Best" and what is practical to install. When we bought our boat, she came equipped with the speed sensor in the head, under the stool's box. This was bad because the sensor got exposed to air on a hard port tack. The depth sensor was mounted in the galley, under the sinks, and this was a bad place too, because you were looking at the depth at the stern, not the bow, which would be a tad more useful.
So last year, I moved the sensors when we upgraded instruments. The speed sensor is now mounted in the keel's root, basicly directly under the cabin sole hatch. This has been a great location, with no drawbacks.
I mounted our depth sensor in the head, under the stool's box. This location is ok, not perfect. Because the sensor sits at an angle rather than flat horizontally, it tends to be looking about 5 degrees to port. This I compensated for by measuring the depth at the dock with a lead line, at approximately the same point that the depth sensor thru- hull is at. Then I set the meter to read exactly what the true depth is. From that point on, it has been accurate and of great use. The only downside for this location is a hard port beat. Some of the bow wave gets under the sensor, and will cause intermittent readings while on this tack and at that angle. As soon as the heeling angle is brought to 10 degrees or less, there is no problem at all. I find it sufficient for everything we have done, including exploring the Canadian Coastline and Isle Royale on Superior. Afterall, you would not be heeling 20+degrees in shallow waters..usually.
Cheers,
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 Lake Superior
demers@sgi.com
So last year, I moved the sensors when we upgraded instruments. The speed sensor is now mounted in the keel's root, basicly directly under the cabin sole hatch. This has been a great location, with no drawbacks.
I mounted our depth sensor in the head, under the stool's box. This location is ok, not perfect. Because the sensor sits at an angle rather than flat horizontally, it tends to be looking about 5 degrees to port. This I compensated for by measuring the depth at the dock with a lead line, at approximately the same point that the depth sensor thru- hull is at. Then I set the meter to read exactly what the true depth is. From that point on, it has been accurate and of great use. The only downside for this location is a hard port beat. Some of the bow wave gets under the sensor, and will cause intermittent readings while on this tack and at that angle. As soon as the heeling angle is brought to 10 degrees or less, there is no problem at all. I find it sufficient for everything we have done, including exploring the Canadian Coastline and Isle Royale on Superior. Afterall, you would not be heeling 20+degrees in shallow waters..usually.
Cheers,
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 Lake Superior
Charlie Noble wrote: What is the best location for a knot meter and depth sounder tranducer on a cape dory 30?
demers@sgi.com