[Rhodes22-list] GPS/Depth Sounder Questions

[Daniel Snyder]

Dave, when Stan built my boat last year he installed my Lowrance LMS 333 
(or something close like that).  This unit has an internal antenna and  
uses a transducer that transmits through the hull, installed with an 
epoxy mix on the floor of the lazarette.  I bought one of the those 
flexible arm swivel RAM mounts from Cabelas.  It fastens to a very small 
ball (looks like a tiny trailer hitch ball) that Stan mounted low and to 
the starboard side of the companionway entrance.  Wiring enters the 
cabin under the starboard seat into the switch panel.  This is a dual 
sonar and gps chartplotter and it works extremely well.  Anyhow, I'm 
very pleased with it.  Dan in NH

David Bradley wrote:
> 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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