Looking For A New Gps/Depth Finder.

[jws123]

I recently picked up a 1992 Luhrs 34ft Motor yacht all of the electronics on the boat is old and shot. It had a old all in one Garmin thru hull gps depth finder I don't know much about this stuff since my boats normally come with it in working order. The local boat store is not much help all I got is west marine here I don't fish at all nor do I ever plan to so I don't rly need something over the top just a basic unit.
What do you guys recommend?

 

[dingbat]

I recently picked up a 1992 Luhrs 34ft Motor yacht all of the electronics on the boat is old and shot. It had a old all in one Garmin thru hull gps depth finder I don't know much about this stuff since my boats normally come with it in working order. The local boat store is not much help all I got is west marine here I don't fish at all nor do I ever plan to so I don't rly need something over the top just a basic unit.
What do you guys recommend?

Does the thru transducer still work?
Model number?

 

[jws123]

Does the thru transducer still work?
Model number?

I am sure its bad its really old I looked it up its from 1998 So I will need to replace it all.

 

[dingbat]

I am sure its bad its really old I looked it up its from 1998 So I will need to replace it all.

I wouldn’t assume anything. My 1999 still works as good as new

Having said that, you need to identify the transducer to choose a replacement.

Once you choose the transducer you can select a head unit to support it.

What size display do you want? Bigger is better

 

[jws123]

I wouldn't even know where to start with choosing a new transducer. This is my first inboard boat I am use to your $250 depth/fish finder that mounts on the back of the transom lol. Everything on the boat is shot electronic wise starting fresh. I am looking for something basic that wont break the bank I have a lot of sand bars in my area my main concern is knowing the depth ect while a gps would also be nice.

 

[dingbat]

I wouldn't even know where to start with choosing a new transducer. This is my first inboard boat I am use to your $250 depth/fish finder that mounts on the back of the transom lol. Everything on the boat is shot electronic wise starting fresh. I am looking for something basic that wont break the bank I have a lot of sand bars in my area my main concern is knowing the depth ect while a gps would also be nice.

A combo unit is all you need. Gives you chart and fish finding functions.

Unless you want to leave the old transducer to fill the hole and go with a transom mount transducer, you need to determine how the existing transducer is mounted.

In specific the diameter of the mounting hole and the location of the screw mount. (See drawing for typical mounting config.)

You could just remove the transducer. Part or model number is somewhere on the unit.

My thru hull transducer has a tag on the cable identifying the part number and mfg.

 

[Chris1956]

GPS/ff units are priced by display size. Laptop size displays are over $1000.

Unfortunately, $250 units have small displays, that can be hard to see.

You will want a larger display so you can see if the water is getting shallow. Watching just the digital depth numbers will cause you to run aground, if you are cruising at any kind of speed.

GPS/FF units are being discontinued all the time. Those are a bit cheaper.

 

[QBhoy]

every boat I have ever owned, has had a transducer that will operate from inside the hull...as long as you know how to go about fitting it and allowing a medium for it to sound through. Yet to find a transducer that won't sound through even the thickest of hulls found on your average boat. All about the location and mounting it in a medium that allows the thing to sound through.

 

[jws123]

So I decided to screw the whole gps/finder thing I am just going to get a regular depth sounder for this year I don't plan on goin far with this years gas prices and I dont fish. The question is should I use a thru Hull one or think I can get away with a in hull? What's the thickets hull ppl have used them with? I basically have only 1 spot this can go it would be right behind the one pictured above.

I was looking at the Faria 2" Depth Sounder they have it in hull or thru hull

 

[QBhoy]

So I decided to screw the whole gps/finder thing I am just going to get a regular depth sounder for this year I don't plan on goin far with this years gas prices and I dont fish. The question is should I use a thru Hull one or think I can get away with a in hull? What's the thickets hull ppl have used them with? I basically have only 1 spot this can go it would be right behind the one pictured above.

I was looking at the Faria 2" Depth Sounder they have it in hull or thru hull

They will both work sitting in the bilge anyway.

 

[Chris1956]

JWS, if you want a thru hull transducer, you must test it before you install it, as some parts of the hull will block the signal.

So pick out a good spot in the bilge where the transducer is as perpendicular as can be, which is not easy in a vee hull. Get it wet, and try it with the boat in the water. If it works, find some way to fasten it at the spot.

Some epoxy it to the hull others use silicone. I always fastened the transducer to a stringer and the water in the bilge kept it wet over the season.

 

[QBhoy]

I’ve always had success by using Vaseline or petroleum jelly to mount in various locations temporarily, to find the best spot. Once found…a big blob of silicone with no air in it…carefully ease the transducer into it, being careful not to get air in there. Works a treat…fine for through hull…transom mount and the rest of them mounted in bilge. They all work like this that I’ve tried anyway.