depth sounder

jacuthbert · Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 3:57 pm Post subject: depth sounder

I just found a PORTABLE depth sounder on ProfessionalEquipment .com. I need one. This one looks really cool and no wiring required! Anybody have any opinions about it?
Amanda

colobear · Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 5:18 pm Post subject:

Just went to that site and couldn't find any depth sounders. Could you help with a page or item number?

Captains Cat · Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 5:51 pm Post subject:

Amanda, as I just said on the other thread, what kind of electronics do you have on your 25 now? Don't jump into a portable one too quickly.

Charlie

Dreamer · Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 6:32 pm Post subject:

Amanda,

IMHO, the depth sounder is an important piece of safety equipment. I think most would agree that a fixed mount multi function unit like this:

Or a stand alone permanently mounted depth sounder is the minimum you should have. It's something you'll refer to several times per minute in lakes and inland waters. You'll be spending less on replacement props when you have a good depth sounder!

The portable D/S would be handy on a dinghy for scouting out anchorages.

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 6:45 pm Post subject:

I'm with Charlie and Roger on this - a depth sounder is an important piece of navigation equipment that you want to be able to refer to regularly and know that it is accurate. Our nav gear is turned on as soon as the engine is running... even in very familiar water.

Good luck with your decisions.

Jim B.

thataway · Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 7:06 pm Post subject:

Yes I have an opinion. Don't buy it, unless it is for the dinghy--and you want to sound out a channel before you take the big boat there. Even for our larger dinghies, we had a built in fish finder.

Humming Bird, Lowarance, Eagle, etc all make some very nice fish finders for less than $100. They will have a 3 to 4 " monochrome screen.
You want to know the depth, while you are running at speed, you want to know the bottom contour (is it rising or falling), you want to know what structure is on the bottom and and the nature of the bottom. The transducer will also give you water temperature, and some depth sounders give digital voltage also.

Wiring is fairly easy--you have to put the transducer on the bottom of the transom--I recommend a block of high density plastic--and some over drilled holes with epoxy filling to screw the transducer into. The 12 volt wiring is simple on the 25, just tie into the electronics section of the bus bar.

I agree it is a safety feature. I use one of the cheaper black and white units on my "bay boat'--the 255 Tom cat and C Dory 25 had fish finders with color bottom lines.

jennykatz · Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 8:09 pm Post subject: Depth sounder

We have 2 D/S a Garmin 498 chartplotter and Depth sounder with a Garmin 250 Depth sounder fish finder The more D/S the better less prop problems Just one bent prop or shaft will pay for a good D/S

jacuthbert · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 11:23 am Post subject: portable depth sounder

I typed in depth sounder on google and found a site for people who are professional scientist types called Professionalequipment.com

http://www.professionalequipment.com/portable-depth-sounder-depthmate-speedtech-instruments-sm-5/water-testing-accessories/?cid=PEYBENV&CMP=KNC-MSN

The item in question is by depthmate

Amanda

Captains Cat · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 11:33 am Post subject:

jacuthbert · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 11:53 am Post subject: depth sounder

Believe it or not, I don't own a camera...I'll work on that.

Speaking of age...One of the things I like about the CBrat site is that plenty of the folks are retired, long-time boaters or newbies with a good scattering of retired teachers and retired rangers and cops. Cool. When I am finally able to boat as much of the time as I wish, I plan to attend all the gatherings I can to meet all these wonderful folks!
Amanda

journey on · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 12:26 pm Post subject:

I just installed a Humminibird Piranha 160 depthsounder. $82 for the sounder and $25 for an extension cable. Mounted on the port (passenger side) so Judy can read it when the water gets skinny. Will try it out next week.

Cheap, apparently works well. Gives a good view, depth contour and water temp. Used by fishermen. Easy to install. Running the cable up from the stern on the port side is the hard part.

Whey would you use a handheld, which is more expensive? Just Google it and get the cheapest price.

Boris

Aurelia · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 12:28 pm Post subject:

I would also recommend a sounder as part of a built in system on the boat if you do not already have one.

As a backup, I have looked at a few with these two being in the lead.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=59506&BASE

http://store.humminbird.com/products/341323/RF25

I like some of the basic dash mount units but it would be nice to have it tucked away when not needed and possibly toss it in the dinghy if I want to use it there. I would also prefer not to have two transducers on the transome to care for. There are also some flashlight-like units but they only work with your hand at the water which is a tough reach from the helm.

thataway · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 3:42 pm Post subject:

Amanda, stick with the boating sites for boats. There are many sources for scientific meters, but I would not buy a depth sounder just because it is on that site (which does not give it any more credability). I had found that Depthmate, which I noted "do not buy it".

We can walk you though the installation--you will need to learn some basic skills for boating. (One of the best craftsperson and boat builder I have know is a lady). For glass work I can no longer do, there is a gal who does superb work locally and I have used her for many years for paint.

DaveS · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 8:08 pm Post subject: Re: depth sounder

jacuthbert · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 9:07 pm Post subject: depth sounder

I can hardly believe I left out you paramedic types...you're the ones I looked up at who were saving my life at least twice...always beguilingly handsome and dedicated. I did not realize you were there among the CBrats...makes meeting the CBrats even more interesting...

As for depth sounders...I have decided to use a knotted line...I'm sure you will all hope for the best...
Amanda