Tacktick thru hull install

ambianceack · #1 (**permalink**) 12-05-2010

We have a data marine thru hull sensor for depth and speed. We have started to upgrade to the tacktick system. Last year we installed the wind meter, this year we would like to install the thru hull depth transducer, but are wary about the install, i.e. drilling a hole in the boat, any suggestions?
Thanks

T37Chef · #2 (**permalink**) 12-05-2010

Should be a pretty easy pop out (or bang out

) and pop in the new one in, at least it was for me. (Had an old datamarine replaced with a new TT transducer as well)

I did have to fabricate the wood shim a bit

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 12-06-2010

Do you have the Triducer, which does speed, depth and temp or two separate transducers?

padean · #4 (**permalink**) 12-06-2010

I changed out an old speed transducer for the TackTick triducer last year. Had to bang on the old transducer to get it to pop free initially, but no problem after that. The Triducer requires a slightly larger hole, and it ALWAYS makes me apprehensive to drill a large hole in the bottom of my boat, but otherwlse it went well. I chose to bed the TackTick with 3M 5200, and it worked well for the last 2 summers. There is no reason to leave the old thru-hull in place if it is not being used anymore, so you shouldn't have to drill an additional hole as long as the old transducer is in the correct location.

T37Chef · #5 (**permalink**) 12-06-2010

I think you be better off using something like 3M 4200...not 5200

See here for a great post by Sailingdog: http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...-nutshell.html

ambianceack · #6 (**permalink**) 12-09-2010

Currently we have separate depth and speed transducers. No temp. I will probably run with 4200, in the event it has to get pulled and done over. I am satisfied with the locations of the datamarine transducers. The Depth is centerline of hull just forward of bow bulkhead and speed is more less parallel to depth but just offcenter on port side. I'm thinking of ordering the tack tick transducer to see what it looks like and try to determine if I can install myself. A few more questions-

It sounds like the tack tick transducer just fits in the hole of the datamarine transducer? Is that correct?

If I want to drill a new hole, do I just drill the hole to proper dimension and put 4200 around the joint area to seal the hole or do I have to fair out the area then backfill using epoxy?

Again thanks for any assistance!

sailingdog · #7 (**permalink**) 12-09-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by ambianceack

Currently we have separate depth and speed transducers. No temp. I will probably run with 4200, in the event it has to get pulled and done over. I am satisfied with the locations of the datamarine transducers. The Depth is centerline of hull just forward of bow bulkhead and speed is more less parallel to depth but just offcenter on port side. I'm thinking of ordering the tack tick transducer to see what it looks like and try to determine if I can install myself. A few more questions-

The position of the transducer is important. It has to be in an area with relatively undisturbed flow of water and faired so that the transducer is pointed straight down when the boat is level.

Quote:

It sounds like the tack tick transducer just fits in the hole of the datamarine transducer? Is that correct?

If I want to drill a new hole, do I just drill the hole to proper dimension and put 4200 around the joint area to seal the hole or do I have to fair out the area then backfill using epoxy?

Is the hull cored? If so, then you HAVE TO POT THE HOLE PROPERLY to protect the core from water intrusion. This is not optional. If the hull is solid fiberglass, then this is not necessary, though coating the edges of the cut hole with epoxy is probably a good idea to prevent water from wicking along the fiberglass into the laminate and possibly causing problems further down the road.