Transducer for depth sounder and speed/temp gauges

[Peter]

Does anyone out there have thoughts on transducers for depth sounders and speed/temperature gauges? I am considering the purchase of Standard Horizon gauges for my CD26, which at the moment has neither. Looking through the West Marine catalog I note that there seem to be two different transducers available for virtually any of these gauges -- a through hull mounted transducer and a transom mount transducer. I am very reluctant to cut into my hull, and therefore am not really considering the through-hull mount. I wonder if anyone has had any experience with the transom mounts. How do they actually mount on the transom? Is there a danger that they might be knocked off? I would assume that the fact that they are reading the depth at the stern end of the boat is a serious drawback when trying to sail across shallower water. Are there other options to the transom mount or the through-hull mount? I seem to remember some sort of mount for a transducer that sits inside on the cabin sole in some manner. Thanks gang for any ideas, suggestions, hints, or whatever that you have on this matter.
Peter K. S/V Larrikin



pkozup@juno.com

[JimL]

I just installed the Horizon depth sounder and knotmeter/temp units. The thru-hull hole required (for both) is exactly the same as the defunct marine toilet I removed. My boat had an old Kenyon knotmeter, so I had to increase the hole diameter to take the new Horizon unit. I used a die grinder with an aluminum burr. The Horizon knotmeter comes with a rubber gasket, to prevent overtorquing the flange nut. The depth sounder does not (strange) and required getting one (for my application). I mounted the thru-hulls with 4200.

Don't worry about drilling holes. You always wanted to know how thick the bottom is.....just tell yourself, "someday I'm getting that 30' Cutter, anyway". The transom mounts are going to be pretty tricky on a Cape Dory.....since the transom doesn't stay submerged. And yes, they look like they'd break off pretty easily.



leinfam@earthlink.net

[Jerry Hammernik]

My 28 has the transducer mounted in Lifecaulk. It works fine. You just put a generous portion of caulk in the mounting spot and press the transducer into it. Let it set up and it is good to go. Hope this helps.

Jerry Hammernik
CD 28 Lions Paw #341

Does anyone out there have thoughts on transducers for depth sounders and speed/temperature gauges? I am considering the purchase of Standard Horizon gauges for my CD26, which at the moment has neither. Looking through the West Marine catalog I note that there seem to be two different transducers available for virtually any of these gauges -- a through hull mounted transducer and a transom mount transducer. I am very reluctant to cut into my hull, and therefore am not really considering the through-hull mount. I wonder if anyone has had any experience with the transom mounts. How do they actually mount on the transom? Is there a danger that they might be knocked off? I would assume that the fact that they are reading the depth at the stern end of the boat is a serious drawback when trying to sail across shallower water. Are there other options to the transom mount or the through-hull mount? I seem to remember some sort of mount for a transducer that sits inside on the cabin sole in some manner. Thanks gang for any ideas, suggestions, hints, or whatever that you have on this matter.
Peter K. S/V Larrikin

dauntles@execpc.com

[will parker]

Forget the transom mount. That is intended for bass boats. West Marine also sells an "in-hull" (puck) transducer which does not require a thru-hull. It works fine because I had one a previous boat. However, it must be mounted carefully. Follow the directions that come with the unit. You don't really need a speed log if you have a GPS. The GPS unit provides true speed (over the surface of the earth) whereas the speed log only measures speed through the water. Using both can tell you when and how much you are being affected by currents.
Good LUck
Will
"Jambalaya"
CD 30

Does anyone out there have thoughts on transducers for depth sounders and speed/temperature gauges? I am considering the purchase of Standard Horizon gauges for my CD26, which at the moment has neither. Looking through the West Marine catalog I note that there seem to be two different transducers available for virtually any of these gauges -- a through hull mounted transducer and a transom mount transducer. I am very reluctant to cut into my hull, and therefore am not really considering the through-hull mount. I wonder if anyone has had any experience with the transom mounts. How do they actually mount on the transom? Is there a danger that they might be knocked off? I would assume that the fact that they are reading the depth at the stern end of the boat is a serious drawback when trying to sail across shallower water. Are there other options to the transom mount or the through-hull mount? I seem to remember some sort of mount for a transducer that sits inside on the cabin sole in some manner. Thanks gang for any ideas, suggestions, hints, or whatever that you have on this matter.
Peter K. S/V Larrikin

whildenp@flinet.com