We are planning to install a new Depth, Speed, Temp triducer in addition to the existing "through the hull" sensor. Anyone have any insight as to the best location? It needs to be as close to 'vertical' as possible. There is likely spot just forward and to port of the leading edge of the keel. The only drawback being sling location when hauling. Solution being to remember to swap the sensor for the plug beforehand. Ideas? Insight? Wisdom?😅
mine (depth only) is immediately fwd of keel, dead center. Sill within reach from the inside. Not sure how PO drilled the hole (2- 3" thick), must have been a short right angle drill or he crossed his fingers and drilled from outside.
yes, right in way of sling, but I give the lift operator a diagram of the boat showing the prop and transducer; they haven't hit it yet.
https://picasaweb.google.com/111274927949602013478/Haulout201402#6197527586581689426
If you note the transducer shaped lump in the lift strap, that is ours for boat speed. The little wheel did not appreciate the abuse. If it was 6 inches farther aft, it would be good, then the keep would protect it. Picture from yesterday when we hauled for the winter. Nice final sail, saw Sea Otters and Steller Sea Lions up close.
A local sailor who sailed from Seward Alaska to Fiji down the west coast of the US and then across from Baja added a forward looking sonar to his sailboat and he said it really helped a lot. He said it was as important to him as the charts for entering coral atolls and harbors. He is a West Marine employee part time however, so the employee discount was an important part of his decision to buy it.
(http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab16/daveanddella/30C317A5-BD26-4997-926F-BD9BB68DB7AF_zpskrl6bbgv.jpg) (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/daveanddella/media/30C317A5-BD26-4997-926F-BD9BB68DB7AF_zpskrl6bbgv.jpg.html)
I found that tere is an existing (disconnected) transducer that is in the perfect spot and seems to explain the flat spot about a foot in front of the keel. I am hoping to be able to pull the old transducer, enlarge the hole for the new unit and install it there. It seems I may have to grind out a bit larger flat to accomodate the larger flange for the new thru hull. I am thinking that there is ample thickness of fiberglass at that spot to not be a problem. Any input as to the layup thickness in that spot? My guess is that it is at least an inch.😳 If I can figure out how to post pictures, I will.😆
I have a several sonar transducer up in front of the keel. I think that's the best spot. But not for the speed wheel that you have to pull out to clean. Each time you do that you flood your mast step with corrosive seawater. My paddle wheel is located alongside the keel where it drains into the bilge directly. And I insisted that I get a bronze unit. No plastic through hulls in my boat to crack. And no lifting strap to snag. Not a fan of the tri-ducer. Sorry.
Any how I prefer to use SOG from my GPS NMEA stream. It will display on any ST60, I70 display. And no calibration needed.