handheld depth sounder

[Beppe123]

Has anyone experience with a reliable handheld depth sounder ? I am looking for a new slip in the Annapolis area and measuring depth with a metal tape does not seem too reliable due to the soft mud bottom. Thanks.

[Bill O]

Not a big fan of the handhelds in a dinghy but rather use a mounted fish finder for continuously showing depth while on the move.

We use a sonarphone like this one https://www.amazon.com/Vexilar-SP100.../dp/B00CJJBM66 to show depths just by casting the bobber/pod. Would work for your application and wouldn't need a dinghy to look at further distances from the slip.

[Beppe123]

Thank you Bill. Just looked it up in Amazon. Reviews are not fantastic, but price is relatively low.

[Bill O]

We don't use it as our main df, but for looking further out from the dinghy or if we go aground in the big boat to find the way out. So far working well.

[Beppe123]

sounds like a good idea - will likely give it a try. Thank you.

[sv_pelagia]

Look at the DEEPER SONAR models.
https://deepersonar.com/us/en_us

We have one... it is great. Very accurate (checked using lead line).

Use it for doing depth surveys and transferring depths to satellite "charts".

Available from Amazon.

[noelex 77]

I made one that slips over the transom of our tender. I don’t use it often, but it is useful on occasions.

Something like this could also be handheld to measure the water depth of a slip or even better borrow a tender, drop it over the stern and you could measure both the depth at the slip and the depth on the approach to the slip.

[Recy]

This one is rather accurate.

https://www.plastimo-pro.com/38074-e...epth-sounder-1

[dfelsent]

My brother and would just stick the oar straight down. Row ahead and down again. My father following in the big boat.

[chris mac]

Originally Posted by sv_pelagia

Look at the DEEPER SONAR models.
https://deepersonar.com/us/en_us

We have one... it is great. Very accurate (checked using lead line).

Use it for doing depth surveys and transferring depths to satellite "charts".

Available from Amazon.

This is what I use too.
I can tow it from the dingy, or cast from the big boat to see what surrounding depths are. Display is wireless to the phone or tablet which makes it very easy to use

[SailingHarmonie]

Another vote for Deeper. Th

ey invented the category, and still do it best. Ours has come in handy for all the reasons listed above and has been great for scoping out spots for fishing from the dinghy.

[wrwakefield]

Sounds like a good use case for an old fashioned lead line...

I've had and used a Hawkeye hand held depth finder in the dinghy for years. It works well and is very accurate. That castable 'Deeper' model recommended above looks appealing as well.

Cheers, Bill

[SV__Grace]

We keep this handheld depth sounder in our dinghy and it works well.

Double checked it's readings with the mothership depth sounder and it's accurate. Provides water temp as well.

[Happ]

Originally Posted by Bill O

Not a big fan of the handhelds in a dinghy but rather use a mounted fish finder for continuously showing depth while on the move.

We use a sonarphone like this one https://www.amazon.com/Vexilar-SP100.../dp/B00CJJBM66 to show depths just by casting the bobber/pod. Would work for your application and wouldn't need a dinghy to look at further distances from the slip.

You can go to the hardware store and buy a dowel rod. Stick it in the water and measure the wet the length of the wet part. Add the current tide and you will know low water. Probably about $2 or $3.

[RedneckRedcoat]

Originally Posted by Beppe123

Has anyone experience with a reliable handheld depth sounder ? I am looking for a new slip in the Annapolis area and measuring depth with a metal tape does not seem too reliable due to the soft mud bottom. Thanks.

We use a Hawkeye hand held and it’s been pretty reliable.

I want to add a chartplotter to the dingy though as it would be nice to see the chart after we have measured any desired channel or slip