[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]

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]

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]

Sensor options

...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?

 

[mikehoyt]

Don

I echo th ST40 Bi-Data. I had one for several years and have nothing but good to say for it. Has two transducers - one for speed and one for depth. Display is easily readable and gives the option to have speed in large font and depth smaller or vice versa. no difficulty reading either.

Our friends had 74 C&C25. Nice solid boat. They mounted a Standard Horizon C180 chartplotter on the bulkhead same as the other instruments.

Good luck.

Mike

PS. On that boat if considering sails ditch the 170 many had and go with a 150 genoa.

 

[superiorvoyager]

I am also looking at putting a new depthfinder in but using a through hull because the Piranha in hull one I am using is acting up. When My old Through Hull went I just bought a cheep Fish Finder Type which worked good the First year except that when I go in water over 30' with a poor (mucky) bottom it would sometimes read 0. The next year after that though when I put the boat back in I started getting more and more reading of 0, always in mucky bottoms but now down to as shallow as 8' which makes me nervous going into unknown harbours. I am wondering if maybe the undercoat (I redo it each year) could be affecting it. I want just a cheap and simple depth finder.

 

[justified]

superiorvoyager
try mounting you cheep fish finder transducer in a container shaped to fit the hull and fill with minerial oil and then shoot thru the hull. My 28 Newport has been set up that why for years works great- easy to change out if needed.

 

[superiorvoyager]

I actually tested it in a bag in liquid when first putting it in and then again recently and it has the same problem. Works great when dropped in the water though which is why I wonder if the Paint may have affected it. At the same time, I have the holes already for the through hull so at least I wouldn't need to drill new holes. I was looking at the Uniden as it is cheap, Has anyone had experience with it?

 

[sailortjk1]

I wonder if the Paint may have affected it.

You don't want any bottom paint on your transducer.
Others correct me if I'm wrong, but we always take care not to get any paint on them.

 

[zz4gta]

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 have this model and have been very happy with it. However, I just wish it had a timer. But it's very simple to use and easy to instally. Works great.

 

[superiorvoyager]

You don't want any bottom paint on your transducer.
Others correct me if I'm wrong, but we always take care not to get any paint on them.

It is an in hull not through hull trsducer so the paint is not on the transducer but has been added to the hull since the transducer was installed. I'll look at the ramarine