Options for Depth and Speed

[donhaller]

I'm considering options for installing new depth and knotmeter on my boat.
The old knotmeter is shot and not working or at least the pickup is not working properly. I have no depth meter at all at this time and think it is something I don't want to be without.

A friend of mine has a real nice Raymarine TriData display mounted on his bulkhead and it is a sweet piece of electronics. However, I'm a poor boy and $750 is a bit for my shallow pockets right now.

I would love to have digital read outs like the Raymarine, but its not totally necessary and good quality analog if fine. However, on the Raymarine item. I liked that speed and depth were displayed on the same gauge and they get their data from a single hull sensor.

My question is this... With the features I described above that I liked in the Raymarine, is there any options out there that are more budget minded and do the same or similar job?

[US27inKS]

I use a Garmin fish finder. I get speed, depth, battery volts, water temp, and fish all on one screen.

[BarryL]

Hello,

There are other options out there, some much cheaper.

If you really want the traditional knot / log / depth type instruments,
other companies like Moore Electronics (Sail Boat Instruments!)
Simrad (Simrad | Navico)
and a few others.

I have bought lots of stuff from Defender (defender.com) and they have great prices.

Another way to go would be to use a GPS / Fish finder combo. You won't get speed through water, but you'll get everything else, and a whole lot more. I put a Lowrance 3.5" color GPS chartplotter / fishfinder on my boat and I loved it. It cost $350 and did everything.

Good luck,
Barry

[donhaller]

Ok, that leads me to another question. Where do you mount the chartplotter?

I have a 25 foot boat with a modest cockpit and tiller steering so there is no navigation console at the wheel like many boats have.

I have given the Garmin fishfinder and Chartplotter ideas some thought, but it seems they would need to be mounted in the cabin to keep from getting in the way in the cockpit. Where do you guys mount them?

[camaraderie]

You can get a digital uniden depth sounder on sailnet.com store for 60 bucks.
and defender has some mid $100 speedos ...but for the integrated approach you like there is no better priced competition for the raymarine stuff I am aware of though Furuno has such a system as well.

[bljones]

if you want depthsounder and knotmeter, how about a raymarine ST-40 combo- a lot cheaper than the Tridata, and still gives you the info you want. should set you back no more than $275 or so, all in.

[donhaller]

Originally Posted by bljones

if you want depthsounder and knotmeter, how about a raymarine ST-40 combo- a lot cheaper than the Tridata, and still gives you the info you want. should set you back no more than $275 or so, all in.

I just found that one... Nice. I didn't realize they had a "Bi-data" model. That is much more in line with my budget and will fit nicely on the bulkhead where the existing guage is.

Thanks

[T34C]

Originally Posted by donhaller

Ok, that leads me to another question. Where do you mount the chartplotter?

I have a 25 foot boat with a modest cockpit and tiller steering so there is no navigation console at the wheel like many boats have.

I have given the Garmin fishfinder and Chartplotter ideas some thought, but it seems they would need to be mounted in the cabin to keep from getting in the way in the cockpit. Where do you guys mount them?

I have a standing chart table just inside the companionway on the port side. My chart plotter is mounted on a swing-arm so that it can be viewed from the chart table or swung out into the companion way and viewed from the helm. There are times I would prefer it were hard mounted at the helm, but have found my current arangement is more flexible and works quite well.

[Wayne25]

I do the same thing as T34C and have a swing arm mounted on the inside of the bulkhead. It swings out to the edge of the companion way for cockpit view and to the inside when in the cabin. I find that bulkhead mounted instruments are not a good place as crew like to sit and lean against this area blocking the view of the instruments.

[jbondy]

Originally Posted by donhaller

...and they get their data from a single hull sensor.

Fewer holes in the boat - that sounds nice, if installing anew. Does anyone make a solid state speed sensor, one that won't get fouled within minutes of being splashed?