Transducer

Charlie · 01-03-2007, 19:10

Hello All:

Just returned from a trip to BC. One of the goals was to install my plotter sounder/fish finder. I tried several locations on the hull for the transducer but the depth was always 2.5' Funny thing b/c I would have been high and dry if that were the case. When I let it down into the water there was a full 20' of depth. The instructions said that I could set the transducer in Epoxy and it would work fine.

Anyone have any ideas on what could be wrong? I'm pretty sure my hull is not cored but I am contacting the builder to find out. Booat is a Sceptre 41

delmarrey · 01-03-2007, 19:22

Using some clay, try building a dam in a circule to make a cup against the hull and fill it with water. Put the transducer in the water and flush against the hull so it's fully submerged. Then try it. If it doesn't work then, you know it's not going to work on the inside of the hull......................_/)

Chuck Baier · 01-03-2007, 19:37

Charlie, In 6 years of sailing off the California coast I never had a depth sounder most of the time. Finally installed one just to find shallow enough water to anchor. On the East coast this is a key piece of equipment and necessary for the boats safety. Quit screwing around for a few bucks and get the correct transducer and install in properly. In your posts on SSCA you say this is a transom mount transducer. They are not made to use in the hull. Some may find them to work but that is not what they are designed for.

cal40john · 01-03-2007, 20:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck Baier

Charlie, In 6 years of sailing off the California coast I never had a depth sounder most of the time. Finally installed one just to find shallow enough water to anchor. On the East coast this is a key piece of equipment and necessary for the boats safety. Quit screwing around for a few bucks and get the correct transducer and install in properly. In your posts on SSCA you say this is a transom mount transducer. They are not made to use in the hull. Some may find them to work but that is not what they are designed for.

When I bought my admittedly cheap fathometer, I called the company to get the in hull transducer. They said I already had it, it was the transom mount transducer that came in the package. Not saying that everybodies is that way though.

John

Alan Wheeler · 02-03-2007, 12:34

They are not made for inside the hull, true. But they will work OK. It simply reduces the distance of depth it will normaly sound too. Do as Del said, it requires a good airless coupling to the hull. A light oil is often used in the dox you make, but water will be fine. Epoxy to the hull will also work, but you want to find a good location before you glue it down. And yes, some hulls are not good at transfering the sound well.

Wahoo Sails · 02-03-2007, 15:17

If you have several coats of bottom paint with a lot of copper in it (such as Trinidad) it can screw up the sonar as well.
Bob

Charlie · 02-03-2007, 22:06

Thanks for the advice guys. Chuck the instructions with the trnsducer said it will work fine on the inside of the hull. I'll try using the dam next time I'm up there.

01-03-2007, 19:10	#1
Charlie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nevada City. CA Boat: Sceptre 41 Ohana Posts: 1,507 Images: 2	Transducer Hello All: Just returned from a trip to BC. One of the goals was to install my plotter sounder/fish finder. I tried several locations on the hull for the transducer but the depth was always 2.5' Funny thing b/c I would have been high and dry if that were the case. When I let it down into the water there was a full 20' of depth. The instructions said that I could set the transducer in Epoxy and it would work fine. Anyone have any ideas on what could be wrong? I'm pretty sure my hull is not cored but I am contacting the builder to find out. Booat is a Sceptre 41 __________________ Fair Winds, Charlie Between us there was, as I have already said somewhere, the bond of the sea. Besides holding our hearts together through long periods of separation, it had the effect of making us tolerant of each other's yarns -- and even convictions. Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad

01-03-2007, 19:37	#3
Chuck Baier Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Where ever the boat is. Boat: Marine Trader 34 "Beach House" Posts: 1,660 Images: 54	Charlie, In 6 years of sailing off the California coast I never had a depth sounder most of the time. Finally installed one just to find shallow enough water to anchor. On the East coast this is a key piece of equipment and necessary for the boats safety. Quit screwing around for a few bucks and get the correct transducer and install in properly. In your posts on SSCA you say this is a transom mount transducer. They are not made to use in the hull. Some may find them to work but that is not what they are designed for. __________________ To boldly go!! Read about our past and current cruises, the boat, some projects and a whole lot more at Voyages of Sea Trek And Now Visit The New Boats Site At The Beach House

02-03-2007, 12:34	#5
Alan Wheeler Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Marlborough Sounds. New Zealand Boat: Hartley Tahitian 45ft. Leisure Lady Posts: 8,044 Images: 102	They are not made for inside the hull, true. But they will work OK. It simply reduces the distance of depth it will normaly sound too. Do as Del said, it requires a good airless coupling to the hull. A light oil is often used in the dox you make, but water will be fine. Epoxy to the hull will also work, but you want to find a good location before you glue it down. And yes, some hulls are not good at transfering the sound well. __________________ Wheels For God so loved the world..........He didn't send a committee.

02-03-2007, 22:06	#7
Charlie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nevada City. CA Boat: Sceptre 41 Ohana Posts: 1,507 Images: 2	Thanks for the advice guys. Chuck the instructions with the trnsducer said it will work fine on the inside of the hull. I'll try using the dam next time I'm up there. __________________ Fair Winds, Charlie Between us there was, as I have already said somewhere, the bond of the sea. Besides holding our hearts together through long periods of separation, it had the effect of making us tolerant of each other's yarns -- and even convictions. Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad

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01-03-2007, 19:22	#2
delmarrey Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Puget Sound, WA Boat: Choate 40 Posts: 3,428 Images: 115	Using some clay, try building a dam in a circule to make a cup against the hull and fill it with water. Put the transducer in the water and flush against the hull so it's fully submerged. Then try it. If it doesn't work then, you know it's not going to work on the inside of the hull......................_/)

02-03-2007, 15:17	#6
Wahoo Sails Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Marathon, Florida Boat: Cape Dory 28, "Night Wind" Posts: 354 Images: 16	If you have several coats of bottom paint with a lot of copper in it (such as Trinidad) it can screw up the sonar as well. Bob

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