Hunter 38 depth transducer

[alexgalotto]

Just bought my beautiful Hunter 38 but cannot find out at what depth the depth transducer is. In other words, how much water I need to navigate safely? Anyone?

[Sailmonkey]

That’s really impossible to answer.

Some people install the transducers and put in an offset so that depth is read below the keel. Others put an offset so that the depth is referenced to the waterline. Still others apply no offset and just figure out the hard way what depth they need to navigate it by touching the bottom.

[belizesailor]

If a software offset is configured it will, obviously, be set in the instruments. Check the configuration. If there is no offset set (zero) then the depth displayed is from the transducer install point.

[alexgalotto]

Thank you much

[meridian28]

I’ll drop a line over the side in about 10’ of water and measure it to the waterline. I subtract the draft and use that number to set the sounder. I want depth under the keel to show on the display

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

That’s really impossible to answer.

Some people install the transducers and put in an offset so that depth is read below the keel. Others put an offset so that the depth is referenced to the waterline. Still others apply no offset and just figure out the hard way what depth they need to navigate it by touching the bottom.

As Monkey points out, once you figure out what (if any) offset is configured in your instruments you need to decide what your preferences are for your own use.

Me, I like to know actual depth (from water line).

Some charter companies where Ive worked, like the depth shown to be less than actual so that charter guests navigate more conservatively.

[wingless]

Mine is set to show zero when I touch, makes it easy for me, zero is bad.

[alexgalotto]

Excellent idea, I’ll do the same. Thank you

[alexgalotto]

Perfect, thanks.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Alex.

[desodave]

Welcome aboard Alex.

We've had our 38 for almost 15 years and it serves us well. You probably have Raymarine instruments and hopefully the manuals to accompany them. Look up setting the Offset on the depth instrument (the quick start cards have enough info on them to do it) and make your choice.

Some people feel strongly that you should set it so you're always working in depths that match your charted depth. Personally, with a deep keel version ( 6'6'') I have ours set at 7'. You have to factor this into your anchoring as well. Our bow roller is approx 3' above the waterline so I just add 10' to the recorded depth when working out my anchoring scope.

Enjoy the new boat

[sail sfbay]

To address your original question on "how much water I need to navigate safely" monitor the chart depths and tides and stay away from shallow areas because you can run out of water under the keel very quickly and run aground. In the San Francisco Bay I can safely sail in 20+ feet of water under my keel (the depth gauge on all of Hunter 31, 386 and current 46 sailboats reads depth under the keel) and not worry about running aground.

Many bays I have sailed in, e.g., San Francisco, Chesapeake and Barnegat have shallow many areas that can sneak up on you if you are not paying attention to your charts and tides. Also some San Francisco marinas (Loch Lomond, Marin, San Rafael in the east bay and Benicia and Martinez at the mouth of the bay can only safely be entered and exited at or close to high tide and following your charts and tide table is critical.

[belizesailor]

Is your Hunter 38 shoal or deep draft?

[alexgalotto]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Is your Hunter 38 shoal or deep draft?

Shoal draft

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by alexgalotto

Shoal draft

5'1" [emoji6]