Depth sounder

[Killick69]

Hi all, Planning on getting a depth sounder/measuring device. Do you all have depth sounders? Is it important to have one? Hand held would be great, provided one does not have to dip the device in the water (sitting in cockpit with one that can transmit through hull would be the way to go, if such is available). I guess my second choice would be for one fitted inside onto hull, with no need to make a hole in the hull. Are there any of this type that don't need water or oil in the pvc tube that is attached to the hull.I have no concerns about fitting a piece of suitably angled pvc (I understand the angle is needed to get the tube/pipe vertical). Guess this needs to be close to vertical, as over a distance the variation can be big and result in incorrect readings. If tube/pipe is filled with water does the transducer 'float' in the fluid or is the transducer fixed into the tube/pipe? What about the oil/water leaking (sound like this might be a maintenance issue). hand held would be quick and easy (no fitting required) and probably cheapest, but I can't see it being practical if one has to dip the end in the water, remove it to see display and repeat this procedure. For those of you who have a fitted sounder, where did you mount the display? I guess the beauty of a proper fitted soiunder would be continuous readout as depth changes and possibly alarms tha one can set to go off at a pre-determined depth. let's hear your comments and suggestions.

[Tales]

I fitted a Tack Tick depth and speed and I am very happy with it.

The display clips onto a little plate that is easy to relocate if you need to find a better place.

The transducer for the depth is mounted in an end cap for 100 mm poly pipe which has a sealing ring.
The end cap screws onto the mating fitting glued onto a short, angled piece which is glued onto the inside of the hull.
I drilled and tapped a 3/16" thread into the cap to allow the excess water to escape when I assembled the unit. After 5 years I have not had to top up the water.

Can take a picture if you like.

A mate who hates boat work (but who loves sailing) mounted a depth transducer to a metal bracket (vertically) and just shoved a big wad of grease under the business end and it worked for years like that!

All the best,

Tom

[storm petrel]

I fitted a Hummingbird sounder with an in-hull transducer(just epoxy the transducer to the inside of the hull, a 5 minute job) to Storm Petrel a few years ago. Only gives the depth in feet(no pictures) on a digital read out and has a warning buzzer if it gets too shallow.It uses negligible juice, was a snap to install, hasn't missed a beat and was cheap as chips. I guess it depends what you want to use it for. Do want to spot fish or just check the depth?

Cheers,
Mark