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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Depth Meter Blues

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Cate
Navigator

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199 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/20/2006 : 15:57:51

We have an SR Mariner depth meter that is giving us all kinds of whacky readings. We sail in Barnegat Bay, NJ, which is a bit tricky in places because depths get very shallow. 2 ft. in some places. Needless to say we depend a lot on the depth meter. The whacky readings went from 0 ft. to 20ft. in a very short time. I know those depths were wrong.
I set the depth meter at our dock by measuring the depth of the water and then using the gain adjustments in the back on the unit. A guy at our marina said we needed to go out to a deep spot and set the meter there. I would love to get one of those combo fish finder/GPS instruments, but boat $$ are limited right now. Any advice?

1983 C-25, Standard rig, swing keel

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2006 : 16:23:49

Hi Cate, I was told that setting the adjustment in our marina does not work out so well because we have a couple feet of silty/mucky/gunk on the bottom so the readings change without moving. Everyone I know goes out to a normal hard bottom and sets theirs. You might try that.

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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2006 : 22:11:24

E bay

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3440 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2006 : 05:54:16

if the sea bottom is producing vague readings that is one thing but if the mter is just acting erratic, I think you have a number of options if you want accurate readings: You can call up the mfr (on Long Island) and see what they have to say. They can repair the old meter but if it's the transducer and it is epoxied in, well then a new transducer would have to be ordered. You won't know that unless they do the diagnostics on the meter end.

You could replace the depthmeter with another SR Mariner but...the SR Mariners are very expensive. You could replace it with a different manufacturers depthmeter. There are many depthmeters that are fairly reasonable in cost but...the SR Mariner, at least the analog model, has a very large diameter and believe all current depthmeters have smaller footprints. This would mean you would have to patch the hole and cut into the patch, a smaller hole to fit a new depthmeter.

You could install a fishfinder. But they are generally a bit more money than the depthmeters and you would have to install it over a patch to the existing hole or consider one of the other methods of installation such as what i did when my SR mariner was replaced. I installed a patch and from the cabin side installed a RAM Swing Arm with a fishfinder mounted to it.

least expensive option....you could take soundings like the pirates did.

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2006 : 21:07:51

Have you checked the transducer for marine growth?
Are there masses of seaweed or schools of fish present?

I will frequently see 'bogus' readings here on Humboldt Bay as masses of eel grass are swept by in the current... and bait balls of anchovies pass under the boat.

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Brian King
1st Mate

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USA
73 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2006 : 07:51:14

I've had the same problem with my SR Mariner depth gauge. I even sanded off all the bottom paint in the area where the transducer is located. This unit seems to be fairly accurate only at depths of less than 40'. And the PO sent the unit back for repairs shorlty before I bought the boat. Fortunately the lake I'm on is very deep and has few shallow spots. When I get to it I'll do the fishfinder replacement project.

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DreamCatcher
Deckhand

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USA
9 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2006 : 22:58:54

Where in Barnegat bay are you? I am in Forked river.

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 08/31/2006 : 09:38:45

I'd send it in to SR Mariner for maintenance or repair. In the short run it might be worth the money. If it is the transducer, you can get a replacement from them. At least you'll be working with the same size hole and it will be cheaper than a whole new unit.

Of course, if the meter is shot than you've spent the money on the check up and will have to purchase a new unit. Decisions, decisions.

Last year my autopilot went out on me during a solo cruise-race. I spent 28 hours the first day and 15 hours the second day at the tiller. While I was able to leave it for very short periods with a jury rig, the whole experience was not what I would call fun. The last 15 hours were in winds 15 gusting to 30. Anyway, same decision, repair or replace. I decided to have the autopilot repaired at a cost of $125, about a 1/3 the cost of a new one. I going to use it as a spare and buy and new one. Painfull but it works for me.

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budd
1st Mate

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USA
45 Posts

Response Posted - 08/31/2006 : 20:14:50

lets see 28 hours the first day hmmmmm

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2006 : 00:04:35

I've got problems with my Hummingbird Depth guage. I recently ran aground with the guage showing 27' of water.
Swing keel came to the rescue again.
I'm wondering if my recent bottom job affected the performance of the puck located under the v-berth.
I've heard there are GPS units that show water depth - does anyone know if this is true?

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2006 : 05:47:48

The Garmin 162 shows depth, but it is chart depth, not actual depth.

Paul.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.