Re: Aftermarket Depth Gauge
 

I installed my own depthfinder.

My advice:

Measure 50 times, cut once! :wink_thumbup:

Re: Aftermarket Depth Gauge
 

If all you want to know is the depth then just go with the depth gauge. Even a basic fish finder will cost more than a depth gauge. I would also mount the transducer inside the hull for a depth gauge you will get good readings and it is well protected from accidental damage.

No need to get a transducer that requires drilling through the hull, mine is epoxied to the hull inside the bilge and works great with the depth gauge. Be aware though that this install is far from optium for a fish finder as the hull interfers with the weaker returns that come from fish.

If you have any doubts about a DIY epoxy job pay the money and have a professional do it. You only get 1 chance to get it right and the labor for the boat shop to do it will be less than the cost of a replacement transducer.

BTW I have both, I have the basic depth gauge and I also have a GPS chart plotter with sonar. The depth gauge uses a shoot thru transducer expoxied to the hull in the bilge and the fish finder transducer is mounted externally on the transom. When I take the grand kids out to play vice fish, I stow the transom mounted transducer to prevent the kids from accidentally using it as a hand or foot hold.


Good luck.

Dave

Re: Aftermarket Depth Gauge
 

Here's my $.02 on going the internal transducer route. Got this tip from an old boater.

Instead of permanently epoxying the transducer to the hull, grab a wax toilet ring from any hardware store for $1.99. Clean the area thoroughly (I used brake cleaner) then knead the wax into an 'air bubble free' lump, slap it to the hull then squish the transducer firmly down into it. The wax gets pretty flexible when your hands warm it up, then hardens when it cools so its easy to work with.

This has worked like a champ so far on one of my rentals. Its nice in case it ever needs replaced or relocated.

Re: Aftermarket Depth Gauge
 

That may be the only time i've ever heard of an alternative use for a toilet ring lol. Sounds like a good idea. I agree.. the wax kneads easily when warm.. and gets rather hard when cooled down. My question is.. how hot will it get in the hull then the boat is covered and on the trailer? I know it's supposed to be 98 degree's here today.

Re: Aftermarket Depth Gauge
 

Ya I though the guy was jerking me around when he gave me the idea. :)

Not sure if your heat concern would matter. The transducer is totally encased with the stuff and its VERY water repellent with no force trying to pull it off. So even if it warmed up I don't see what would pull it off.

I figured its a very easy experiment. Worse case you can always do the epoxy later.

Re: Aftermarket Depth Gauge
 

That's a new one on me but I think its a great one. At the very least it allows you to get the transducer in the right spot and I sispect that it will work even when the temps reach 100 degrees. As long as the wax doesn't get too soft there is no real pressure to cause the transducer to move around.

You have my curiosity up enought to try an experiment to see just how well it stands up to the heat.

Might be a great way to mount a tempoary transducer in a rented or borrowed craft.

Re: Aftermarket Depth Gauge
 

I replaced mine with a Hawkeye depth finder 2 years ago. My Humminbird was not reading real well and never got below 50 ft or so.... The Hawkeye does go deeper, but I must have had some air bubbles in my epoxy... but it works fine, most of the time... I called Hawkeye and talk to them about this.. They told me that you can always remove the sender unit. He said take a 2x4 and butt it up against the sender unit and then tap on it to break the epoxy free from the boat hull. Tap on it harder if needed. He said the sender units are stout.