[Rhodes22-list] GPS/Depth Sounder Questions

[Michael D. Weisner]

David,

I mounted my GPS (old Garmin unit) on the tiller handle, just behind the 
clip for the hiking stick.  It is out of the way but still close enough to 
read easily.  Prior to mounting it, I used to keep it in a mesh sack hanging 
from the stern rail, but this proved too hard to access when needed (time to 
power up and acquire).  My only problem nowadays is that I need more light 
to read these devices in darkness than the small light puts out.

As far as depth meters, I too do not like to make holes in perfectly sound 
hulls.  I have discussed this before on the list (Nov 21, 2006) as follows:

"The R22 drafts so little that a depth finder is not required - mine was 
acquired as a gift.  It sat for 3 years waiting for me to make a hole in the 
boat for it, something that I do not like to do.  Finally, I tried "shooting 
through the hull" (no hole) in the front of the Lazarette and found that it 
was reasonably accurate.  Great toy for people to watch but virtually 
useless on a craft that drafts 2 feet with a kick up rudder and 
centerboard."

If you really feel the need for a depth meter, the location that I chose to 
place the transducer was on the floor of the Laz (bottom of boat),  just 
behind the cockpit drain fitting.  You can test it in the water by just 
placing the transducer at this point and placing a fender or suitable 
"wedge" to put downwards pressure on the transducer and power up the unit. 
You may need to move it around to get the best placement.  Once epoxied in 
place, check the calibration by measuring actual depth and compare.  Mine 
was about 3 inches off at anchor and very consistent while underway, except 
when heeled.

Mike
s/v Shanghai'd Summer ('81)
Nissequogue River, NY

From: "David Bradley" <dwbrad at gmail.com> Monday, July 02, 2007 3:03 PM
> We're getting ready for a San Juan Islands trip in August and need to get
> set up with GPS and depth sounder.  I have two questions for the list:
>
> 1.  Has anyone had success mounting a GPS unit on a swivel arm, either on
> the stern rail or on the transom?  I'm considering a swivel arm that would
> stay on the stern rail and the unit could be turned to face either 
> Captain's
> chair.  The unit would have to be removable with wing nuts or something 
> like
> that.  I've got 12V power in the cockpit through the laz, so that part 
> would
> be easy.
>
> 2.  Has anyone had any recent experience with the in-hull (puck-shape) 
> style
> of depth sounder transducer?  I have this aversion to drilling holes in my
> boat (hence the jury rig above), and don't want to have to pull the boat 
> out
> of the water if that can be avoided.  I'm wondering about the possibility 
> of
> an in-hull transducer in the lazerette just to the side of the keel area.
> They were skeptical at West Marine, but they don't understand the flatter
> hull design of our boat.
>
> I have a hand-held depth sounder which I could still use if needed - have
> never had the need and have been lucky enough not to find a bottom... but
> that won't last.  Could also use a hand-held GPS but the display on the
> fixed mount GPS units is sooooo much better and there is much more data
> available.  Am thinking that I really should have a chart plotter when
> venturing into Puget Sound and the San Juans.
>
> Any recent experiences and perspectives will be appreciated, as always.
>
> Dave B
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