depth sounder transducer paint

[arch007]

hi,

I wonder what other people are using for bottom paint for the depth sounder transducer ?

arch

[bottomscraper]

We have a flush mount transducer. I currently use the same regular solvent based bottom paint I use on the boat. (Micron Extra which has been discontinued but that's another story). I tried the MDR transducer paint but that seemed to be useless. If you are concerned about the solvents I would consider one of the water based bottom paints or inflatable dingy paint like Pettit 1841 (which works good on our inflatable).

I haven't found anything useful for our speed impeller. It typically works for about 2 weeks at the beginning of the season and after that it's main function is to plug the hole it's in.

[Jim Walsh]

We have a flush mount transducer. I currently use the same regular solvent based bottom paint I use on the boat. (Micron Extra which has been discontinued but that's another story). I tried the MDR transducer paint but that seemed to be useless. If you are concerned about the solvents I would consider one of the water based bottom paints or inflatable dingy paint like Pettit 1841 (which works good on our inflatable).

I haven't found anything useful for our speed impeller. It typically works for about 2 weeks at the beginning of the season and after that it's main function is to plug the hole it's in.

I'm surprised to find you used Micron Extra and had no issues. I've always left mine free of antifouling and just give it a scrub once or twice a season. I glad you reported that the special transducer paint is useless. I almost convinced myself to give it a try this spring.
My Raymarine speed/temp transducer is easily removable (it also has a flap which restricts water flow when removed) so I just pull it occasionally and scrub it with a toothbrush (anyone's but mine ) to keep it free of sealife.

[Jim Davis]

I've always just used what I'm painting the bottom with. This goes back to the old TBT days and never had a problem.

As to the knotmeter, I keep mine pulled except when I'm cruising. It is Raymarine and located where it is easy to service.

[bottomscraper]

<thread hijack>
Our speed transducer is mounted deep in the bilge and is hard to access so I'm reluctant to remove it while the boat is in the water. It would be occasionally nice to know what the speed thru the water is. It's also what our Raymarine wind indicator uses to calculate true wind direction. Personally I think this is totally braindead on the part of Raymarine since the GPS velocity would be more correct for the calculation, is available on the Seatalk network and can even be displayed as an alternative on the speed display!
</thread hijack>

[mgphl52]

<thread hijack>
Our speed transducer is mounted deep in the bilge and is hard to access so I'm reluctant to remove it while the boat is in the water. It would be occasionally nice to know what the speed thru the water is. It's also what our Raymarine wind indicator uses to calculate true wind direction. Personally I think this is totally braindead on the part of Raymarine since the GPS velocity would be more correct for the calculation, is available on the Seatalk network and can even be displayed as an alternative on the speed display!
</thread hijack>

I suspect the calculation is analog and not digital.

[bottomscraper]

I suspect the calculation is analog and not digital.

Maybe the calculation is but the speed information from the water speed transducer is delivered digitally via the Seatalk network (which also has the GPS speed available). So to use an analog calculator the instrument would require a digital to analog converter. This is an older ST60 instrument package, I would hope Raymarine has done something smarter with their newer instruments.