Installing a depth gauge on a Bayliner Capri

[Newbie@boats]

My whole life I have only boated on one lake and I know it very well and wouldn't consider installing a depth gauge...

Recently bought my first house about an hour away from that lake now and I am looking to explore some new lakes with my fiance and our pup....so I think I would like to install a depth gauge for a piece of mind, doing some research I have found you can mount them on the floor of the boat or on the outside of the transom area which I do not like the idea of, I have found this one http://www.amazon.com/Norcross-Hawkeye-D10D-Depth-Sounder/dp/B000JEOEE0 and it seems to be a good unit from the reviews

My concern would be how accurate would it be doing it thru the hull? Obviously a few feet could be very crucial out on the water....Would I be able to find a "sweet" spot for doing it thru the hull because I have read air pockets in the fiberglass/hull could affect the read out of the actual depth I would be in....Could I install it without being on the water and try to see if its working properly from measuring the bottom of the boat to the ground?

Any input would be great. Thanks

 

[ERock82]

I'm in the process of installing a transducer for a fish finder on my Bayliner Capri. That has a depth gauge built in and they are not much more than the item from your link. You can mount on back of transom. I'm just trying to find the best spot on mine. I don't know much about doing it through the hull though.

As far as how accurate they would be goes, if you have it set on the bottom of transom, it will measure from there to bottom or from wherever in boat to bottom of the lake. They could be off by a foot or so but I set an alarm that goes off if I go below 4 ft. I draft at 18 inches so at 4 ft or lower I cut my speed down and am on the lookout for real shallow water. Much less worse to go aground at idle speed than full throttle.

 

[Alumarine]

If installed properly the thru hull type work fine on fiberglass boats.
Just remember, they only tell you the depth where you are not where you are about to be.

 

[bruceb58]

You could put some water in your bilge and put the transducer in there and then over the side and compare how much you lose in sensitivity.

I have done it both ways. Reason I prefer on the transom is then you get the water temp and a paddle wheel for speed if you decide to not go with a GPS/sounder combo.

If you think the sounder will prevent you from running into things, you are going to be disappointed.

 

[Bondo]

If you think the sounder will prevent you from running into things, you are going to be disappointed.

Ayuh,.... Agreed,.... Ya don't know yer outa water, til yer grounded,.....

 

[bruceb58]

I see now that you are going with a gauge. I have one of those type that came with my Wellcraft. It shoots through the hull but the hull was designed with a flat place molded into the hull for it to be epoxied to. You will have to have it mounted at an angle unless your hull also has something like that. Not a huge deal since the sounder puts out a cone anyway. Just something to be aware of.

 

[Newbie@boats]

I am well aware I can still easily run aground LOL

My biggest concern is we will be renting a beach house this summer and you have to go thru a very thin and shallow channel to get into the open water and I remember being on her fathers boat and it was nice to know how deep we were, we were barely moving and outdirve was very far up

 

[southkogs]

I rented a place with a boat in Florida last year, and ran on water that was totally unfamiliar with me. Charts - both online and using an app on my iPhone - were my friend. They really helped me know WHERE and WHEN to pay closer attention. I still wound up on the sand a little at one point, but it was easy to get off (and I knew the possibility existed).

I've (so far) opted not to put a sounder on my boat(s) and have used the charts instead.

 

[Fed]

Those high detail sonar chart apps navionics put out for phones & tablets are amazing, quite cheap & you can try before you buy at their website to see what they're like for the area you're boating in.
http://webapp.navionics.com/#@6&key=~a|mEolix[
Drag & zoom like google earth to your area then use the little blue button in the bottom left corner to get the high detail.

 

[RGrew176]

Every boat I have owned has had a through the hull transducer. I never had any problems with accuracy that I was aware of. I always got the same readings as those with transom mounted units.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

With the prices of low entry level GPS/Sonar combo units today, I think that the way to go, a no brainer even. Even without a Navionics or data chip the GPS will mark where you have been on the water. The uneventful route you took leaving the dock is marked on the screen with several views of it. Take that route back in and you shouldn't bottom out. The safety aspect of having GPS is worth the price alone. I have used mine twice now trying to navigate pea soup. I have a compass but I'm glad I had GPS those 2 times as I forgot to take and note my heading. My speedo doesn't kick in until 10MPH or more, I can read GPS speeds down to .5 MPH.

 

[JimS123]

My whole life I have only boated on one lake and I know it very well and wouldn't consider installing a depth gauge...

Recently bought my first house about an hour away from that lake now and I am looking to explore some new lakes with my fiance and our pup....so I think I would like to install a depth gauge for a piece of mind, doing some research I have found you can mount them on the floor of the boat or on the outside of the transom area which I do not like the idea of, I have found this one http://www.amazon.com/Norcross-Hawkeye-D10D-Depth-Sounder/dp/B000JEOEE0 and it seems to be a good unit from the reviews

My concern would be how accurate would it be doing it thru the hull? Obviously a few feet could be very crucial out on the water....Would I be able to find a "sweet" spot for doing it thru the hull because I have read air pockets in the fiberglass/hull could affect the read out of the actual depth I would be in....Could I install it without being on the water and try to see if its working properly from measuring the bottom of the boat to the ground?

Any input would be great. Thanks

My first depthfinder was a Lowrance "Green Box" flasher, that was just about the first one ever invented for private use. IMHO the model you referenced is just about worthless.

Numbers flashing on a screen is annoying. I don't have the patience to concentrate on numbers. However, having a "picture" of the bottom makes a lot of sense. You can merely glance at the screen quickly and see what's happening on the bottom. You can see if there are weeds, rocks, hard bottom, muddy bottom, etc. If the bottom is down 7 feet and the weeds come up 4 feet, its likely the numbers will show 3 feet, while the sonar screen will tell you exactly whaty it is.

You can buy a full function Humminbird Piranna for less than $100 and it will show temp too.

 

[Newbie@boats]

So you guys think something like this would be better

http://www.amazon.com/Humminbird-409670-1-PiranhaMax-Color-Finder/dp/B00MVYO45U

It seems to have really good reviews for the money

 

[bruceb58]

I had the BW version of that one on my pontoon. Was OK and way better than just the gauge as long as you have room for it. I changed mine out for a color Garmin with a bigger screen.

 

[SkaterRace]

This is the one I have and it seems to work great. I have only had it for 2 trips out though but I did test with a tape in a few shallow spots as those are the areas I care about.

http://www.amazon.com/Humminbird-40...sr=8-3-spell&keywords=hummindbird+fish+finder

 

[Newbie@boats]

It shows the one for $100 only goes to 600ft deep

The other one goes to 1500ft I would imagine for $30 more that would be the better option I don't really care about the color screen

 

[SkaterRace]

It shows the one for $100 only goes to 600ft deep

The other one goes to 1500ft I would imagine for $30 more that would be the better option I don't really care about the color screen

Don't get pulled in by the numbers, think of what you actually expect to have depth wise. Are you going to be on the Great Lakes off shore or just on back lakes that might only be 250 ft deep at the deepest.

 

[Newbie@boats]

I do plan on taking the boat out in the ocean a few times....usually fresh water though

 

[SkaterRace]

If that is the case the $30 may be worth it for you but that is a choice only you can make. I would go for it since with boating $30 is not a huge difference.

 

[JimS123]

The Humminbirds just cited are both good units. Also, Garmin & Lowrance. Color is nice but B&W works just as well. IBoats sells a bunch of them, starting as low as $79. That's where to start looking.