jacuthbert
New member
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
Amanda
depth sounder
- Thread starter jacuthbert
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Captains Cat
New member
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
Charlie
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.
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.
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.
Good luck with your decisions.
Jim B.
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.
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.
jacuthbert
New member
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/po ... MP=KNC-MSN
The item in question is by depthmate
Amanda
http://www.professionalequipment.com/po ... MP=KNC-MSN
The item in question is by depthmate
Amanda
Captains Cat
New member
Captains Cat":1j1qiqbb said:
Wow, many brats agree!
Amanda, you need an album so you can put pictures up for us old folks. And yes, I am older than you! :lol:
Charlie
jacuthbert
New member
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
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
New member
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
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
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/us ... 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.
As a backup, I have looked at a few with these two being in the lead.
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/us ... 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.
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.
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.
jacuthbert":2sdspedb said:
So Amanda, what about us OLD 66 year old (soon to be 67), still working stiff firefighter/paramedics....(unlike you very young retired teachers)....what are we "chopped meat"... :shock: ....
:lol:
(Seriously, I likewise am and always have been extremely impressed with the experience and knowledge of the C-Brats ....a GREAT pod of folks).
jacuthbert
New member
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
As for depth sounders...I have decided to use a knotted line...I'm sure you will all hope for the best...
Amanda
jacuthbert
New member
Oh, I thought it was "...those that can, do..." although my dad used to tell me "if you want to learn something, teach it".
Looking forward to meeting everyone...
Amanda
Looking forward to meeting everyone...
Amanda
Captains Cat
New member
"As for depth sounders...I have decided to use a knotted line...I'm sure you will all hope for the best...
Amanda"
Amanda, just remember LINDSAY'S LAW:
WHEN THE DRAFT OF YOUR VESSEL EXCEEDS THE DEPTH OF THE WATER, YOU ARE MOST ASSUREDLY AGROUND!
:disgust
Charlie
Amanda"
Amanda, just remember LINDSAY'S LAW:
WHEN THE DRAFT OF YOUR VESSEL EXCEEDS THE DEPTH OF THE WATER, YOU ARE MOST ASSUREDLY AGROUND!
:disgust
Charlie
Knot Right,
The nice thing about a fishfinder is that you can see bottom contours. Like you in twenty feet of water but you were just in 40 feet of water. Maybe it's time to pull back on the thottle and time to start thinking about tilting you motor up. The mark twain thing does work but the depth finder is cheaper than a deck hand. The fishfinders don't complain about the music you listen to, or need food, or say I'm cold, too hot etc. I mean who wants to be called Capt Runaground? :embarrased
D.D.
The nice thing about a fishfinder is that you can see bottom contours. Like you in twenty feet of water but you were just in 40 feet of water. Maybe it's time to pull back on the thottle and time to start thinking about tilting you motor up. The mark twain thing does work but the depth finder is cheaper than a deck hand. The fishfinders don't complain about the music you listen to, or need food, or say I'm cold, too hot etc. I mean who wants to be called Capt Runaground? :embarrased
D.D.
jacuthbert
New member
OK,OK, I get the picture...I will buy a depth sounder before I go on my next big lake trip! It was the not needing a deck hand thing that finally sold me!
Amanda
Amanda