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dan104 · 28-09-2018, 14:16

My Columbia 8.7 has an Airmar St200/550 sensor, it's document say it should be pulled when boat sits.

I have the plug for it, but I am concerned about pulling the sensor and inserting the plus while boat is in water. Is this just a simple pop the sensor out and push the plug in while bay tries to come inside?

I know this a dumb question, but I am chicken to find out the hard way
Thanks

Wavehiker · 28-09-2018, 14:34

Yes just pull and plug. Take your time so you don’t cross thread. Not much bay will come in.

Stu Jackson · 28-09-2018, 14:36

Eventually you'll have to learn to do it, if/when your paddlewheel gets fouled. I found that learning which of your hands is better at removing the one and slapping the plug in is very important.

From my 2015 Mainesheet article on replacing some of the BNC cabling:

I have gotten quite good at this and my trick is this: Being right handed my first thought was to remove the transducer with my right hand and install the plug with my left, but I found out that doing it just the other way worked much better, since I could insert the plug more quickly and cleanly with my right hand, greatly reducing the intrusion of water from that big hole.

Good luck. Like docking, practice helps. The first time is always a hassle. Towels!

J Clark H356 · 28-09-2018, 16:04

It won’t let in near as much water as you think, but be careful not to cross thread when getting the plug back in. Once you push in the plug, not much water comes in and even with the plug out, there is not that much. Just get a few paper towels to sop up the water.

barnakiel · 28-09-2018, 16:55

I learned the trick is to do it in a very relaxed manner. No need to hurry. The amount of water we get in is never more than half a bucket.

b.

dan104 · 28-09-2018, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by barnakiel

I learned the trick is to do it in a very relaxed manner. No need to hurry. The amount of water we get in is never more than half a bucket.

b.

Thanks all, will report back

FabioC · 29-09-2018, 09:27

I agree, this is an operation that makes me very nervous too.
The trick, as others have said, is to be relaxed and keep calm as you see some water (indeed, not a lot) come in. Easier said that done... The good thing is that even if you fumble it a bit, as I do, the water is never so much.
I guess, like everything else, it improves with practice...

meirriba · 29-09-2018, 09:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wavehiker

Yes just pull and plug. Take your time so you don’t cross thread. Not much bay will come in.

I am right handed like most.
First I pull the sensor out with my right hand and the second it is out I close the throughull with my left palm.
Then at my leisure I take the dumb plug in my right hand, bring it close, lift left hand and insert the plug.
In my experience, it is the most efficient (and safe) way even though the throughhull is open twice.

jmschmidt · 29-09-2018, 10:17

Unreal! Does such a manini little everyday procedure present a real-world dilemma for very many sailors?

Manini: Hawaiian slang word meaning small; insignificant; minuscule; stingy

19thol · 29-09-2018, 11:00

I just did this for the first time last season, everything I read about it said"not much water comes in". Then I tried it and it was like a fire hose! Not sure how much water actually comes in, but it sure gave me some serious pucker! In the end it's all good, no biggie.

**jharding** · 29-09-2018, 11:29

some speed sensor thru hulls have a flap that closes when you pull the paddle wheel out and not much water flows in, some do not have this and a big stream gushes up, can be quite exciting at first, no big deal once you do it a few times.