Depth Sounder ??'s

[Bill]

Hello to all

Well, I bit the bullet yesterday and decided to install a DS on Rhapsody. My orginial plan was to install a Horizon DS 45 on the port bulkhead! However, after some thinking. I decided on another plan. I ordered a 2" Horizon (just to see if it would work) and am considering mounting in in the vincinity of the engine instruments at the aft end of the cockpit! I do not like cutting holes in the boat, and really dont want to cut a 4" hole in the bulkhead. Anyone ever seen one of these small DS? Anyone ever tried to use one of them? The DS 40 has most (if not all) of the same features as the DS 45, only smaller (and most likely more difficult to read). I dont want a bunch of bells and whistles, just a DS.

Comments and experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Fair Winds

Bill



cd25d@rhapsodysails.com

[Mike Everett]

Here's one alternative to cutting a hole:
the depth sounder on s/v Dr. Pepper, our CD28, is mounted inside the cabin on a bracket on the starboard shelf, above the settee.
It can easily be seen from the cockpit.
Personally, I wouldn't care to mount a depth sounder where I had to look aft to check it, since many situations when the depth sounder is used are also when the a sharp lookout forward is necessary.



everett@megalink.net

[Bill]

> since many situations when the depth sounder is used are also when the a sharp lookout forward is necessary.

Good point!!! Hadnt thought of that!

BS



cd25d@rhapsodysails.com

[Don Tema]

We just installed Horizon DS45 and the analog Knotmeter on the portside on our CD25. We have a Plastimo bulkmount compass on the starboard side. Everything fits fine; only mounting nuts show on inside for compass. The knotmeter and depthsounder, while not very deep to begin with, are concealed within the space behind the electrical panel. This makes servicing easy too. We're very happy with it; particularly the visability of all at nite with the builtin red backlighting. Note that we bought both units on sale at West Marine in what was called a discontinued models sale? saved quite abit versus other models on market.



dkolenda@us.ibm.com

[Neil Gordon]

>>My orginial plan was to install a Horizon DS 45 on the port bulkhead!<<

Go back to the original plan. There's a reason why everyone on the planet mounts instruments there. I have the Horizon 45 and matching speed log mounted on the port bulkhead... they're easy to see, look good, etc. Mounting is relatively easy because they back on the power panel. They've never leaked.

>>I dont want a bunch of bells and whistles, just a DS.<<

The 45 doesn't have that much in bells and whistles... it tells you the depth (important), lets you adjust for keel offset, etc. (important) and has high and low alarms (important). What else is there?

Btw, where are you mounting the transducer?


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com

[Bill]

Btw, where are you mounting the transducer?

Neil

I plan to mount the transducer just under the galley in PVC.

With all the comments favoring the DS45, I have decided to use teh 45 and put it on the port bulkhead. However, my electrical panel will not cover the back, as it is in the corner of the cabin! It might, but I doubt it.

Thanks for the comments.

Bill



cd25d@rhapsodysails.com

[Neil Gordon]

>>... I have decided to use teh 45 and put it on the port bulkhead.<<

Keep in mind that you might want to add a matching speed log or whatever... so when you mount the depth guage on the bulkhead, keep it to one side or the other.

>>However, my electrical panel will not cover the back, ...<<

On my 28, there's a space between the bulkhead and the cabin liner. Access to the space is through the elec panel. My speed guage isn't behind the panel, but in the same in-between space. Just made it a bit awkward to mount and connect since I couldn't get my fingers in and see what I was doing at the same time.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com