removing old depth finder from boat to be re-used

[CaptH00k]

I have an old fish/depth finder on my 87 starfire skeeter bass boat. The transducer is mounted on the outside of the hull on the transom. The wire for the transducer is ran thru the hull of the transom. I want to re-use this fish/depth finder on my pontoon boat. Any recommendations on how to first remove the wire without cutting it (it is currently already spliced) and secondly how do I seal the hole to keep it from weakening the transom as well as keeping it from leaking.

 

[CaptH00k]

Re: removing old depth finder from boat to be re-used

I have an old fish/depth finder on my 1987 Skeeter Starfire. I would like to re-use this fish/depth finder on our pontoon boat. However the transducer is mounted on the exterior of the hull on the transom. The wire for the transducer is fed thru a pre-drilled hole in the hull, making it impossible for me to get the wire and the connections out of the boat. Upon inspection I found that the transducer wire currently has a splice in it already. First of all how do I remove the wire and connections from the boat and secondly how do I seal the hole that the wire is in to keep it from weakening the transom as well as leaking.

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: removing old depth finder from boat to be re-used

Before doing any cutting, I'd want to know if the unit works well enough as it is now with the spliced transducer cable (which is generally not recommended). If it works well enough for you having been spliced the first time, there's no reason to think it won't work just as well the second time. Cut the cable on both sides of the splice and examine the splice to see how it was done. Remove the transducer with the cable and re-splice the cable as part of the new installation.

Of course, if the unit doesn't work well now with the spliced transducer cable, just buy another transducer for your pontoon boat.

A satisfactory method for repairing the hole in your transom depends upon the material used in construction: wood, no wood, etc., location of the hole, above or below the waterline. Lots of discussions focus on this. Just look around a little bit.

 

[cbavier]

Re: removing old depth finder from boat to be re-used

Before doing any cutting, I'd want to know if the unit works well enough as it is now with the spliced transducer cable (which is generally not recommended). If it works well enough for you having been spliced the first time, there's no reason to think it won't work just as well the second time. Cut the cable on both sides of the splice and examine the splice to see how it was done. Remove the transducer with the cable and re-splice the cable as part of the new installation.

Of course, if the unit doesn't work well now with the spliced transducer cable, just buy another transducer for your pontoon boat.

A satisfactory method for repairing the hole in your transom depends upon the material used in construction: wood, no wood, etc., location of the hole, above or below the waterline. Lots of discussions focus on this. Just look around a little bit.

I agree but if he chooses to leave the transducer he may as well leave the unit as the transducer costs 1/2 or more than 1/2 of a whole brand new unit. I think it's called "5200 weld" will seal the hole above or below the water line. Just don't plan on reusing the same hole as it hardens like steel.

 

[CaptH00k]

Re: removing old depth finder from boat to be re-used

Thanks. The depth finder worked great with the current cable spliced. The whole for the wire is below the water line and the boat transom is a fiberglass wood filled componet, typical of your older boats.

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: removing old depth finder from boat to be re-used

From your description, I'm visualizing a nightmare. Please tell me that the original installer didn't drill a hole in the transom below the waterline, cut the transducer cable and thread it thought the hole. If so, how is the hole sealed now? If that's what you're looking at, trying to salvage the transducer may just open up a can of worms. Be prepared to discover a water intrusion problem in the wood core of the transom once you rip the cable out of there.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: removing old depth finder from boat to be re-used

my thoughts, too--why would someone drill a hole through the transom for a cable?
But if it's already leaking, better to remove and plug it right (5200). Use the same to plug the screw holes.