Depth and speed transducer and through hull

[Don Woodruff]

I recently acquired a new transducer for my Datamarine depth sounder and speed log. I tried to remove the old transducer and the through hull but my efforts have not succeeded. Has anyone removed their old through hull? I tried hitting the wings with a mallet applying heat then tapping I also tried removing the old depth transducer from below bu applying a similar sized dowel to the sensor and tapping that with a mallet. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Don Woodruff

[Jim S]

The transducer is really "glued" very well in the hull.  I had to carefully slot the tube and knock it out.  I do not know what substance was used, but it was tough.  The hole was the same size as the Navman thru-hull.

[kevin barber]

Time to break out a grinder and a sawzall.  I had to (carefully) cut my old transucer through hull out.  Luckily the hull is VERY thick down there.

[Jim S]

Might I suggest you use something less aggressive than a sawzall or a large grinder.  The hull is very thich there, but why mar it any  more than necessary.  I actually used a hack saw blade with tape wrapped on one end to make a handle.

[SailingSeaDragon]

Jim,

When I replaced the Datamarine instruments on board Sea Dragon I faced the same dilemma... To remove the speed through hull, I used a hacksaw blade in a cheap plastic handle that allows the blade protrude.. I removed the impeller plug and placed the saw blade through the opening which allowed me to saw the plastic through hull in half. First on side until I touch hull and then the other.. Then with a little heat from a heat gun and some leverage I was able to pop the through hull out without damaging the hull. One can still purchase new through hulls from DMI Marine for  about $20.00.

http://www.dmimarine.com/parts/index.html  

The depth transducer was not as easy.. This required much more aggressive use of  power tools, as you can see in the following link..

http://www.sailingseadragon.com/Instruments.htm

Patience is critical in removing the depth transducer (not one of my virtues).

Good luck.
Garner

[Don Woodruff]

I would like to thank all of you for your input. The problem I have is how to remove the old transducer from the through hull. I can not cut through the through hull until I remove the transducer and have access to the sides of the through hull. Can I drill out the center? Has anyone driven out the transducer? How do I proceed?

Thanks Don Woodruff

[Jim S]

Just tap it out to the inside by using a large drift pin.  Be sure to remove the screw collar on the inner side.  It wont be too hard.  It should drill out though without much difficulty.  I don't know what is inside.

[Don Woodruff]

For what ever it is worth, I got the depth transducer out by drilling down with a fostner bit. Evidently Pearson had Datamarine epoxy the puck into the through hull and then they put the wing nut on from the inside. Once the puck was drilled out I cut four saw kerfs from the bottom into the through hull and with some effort removed them. I do not know when the 4200, 5200 polyurethane product came into use but the caulking was similar.

Don Woodruff

[Jim S]

Has anyone had any experience with MOOR Electronics (http://www.moorelectronics.com/index.html) , depth and/or speed?  The original Signet instruments (4" cutouts on the port bulkhead) are not longer working.  The MOOR product appears to be a direct replacement, or perhaps the same instrument under a different name. 

[kevin barber]

A few years back I bought an SR Mariner Speed system.   The Moore and SR mariners are the same size as the old Standard Horizon, Signet, and Datamarine intruments.

The SR mariner worked as advertised.  But to tell you the truth, I ended up pulling the transducer because it kept getting fouled.  Now that I look back, it really turned out to be a waste of money.  I only use my GPS speed now. 

Im sure their Depth systems work just fine.