Help me choose a depth finder!

[Deputy819]

Hey folks! Have to go to the boating "brain trust" on this one. I have a beautiful older Baja 216 Islander that needs a good/dependable depth finder and I have no idea what to get. It won't be used for fishing and it won't be used "off shore". Should I do a transom mount or a thru-hull mount? Tell me what to do/get. Thanks a bunch.

 

[Mark37082]

Nice boat! It's been awhile since we were serious boaters, but I used a simple depth finder that was mounted inside the hull. They are relatively inexpensive yet can save you. I miss the days on the lake with the family.

 

[2buffalo]

Thru-Hull. None work great at high speeds but a thru-hull works much better. The transom mount will not give you any reading beyond probably 30 mph. If not being used for fishing any of the major brands should work. They have different strengths and weaknesses for fishing but just cruising around any should brand should work. Just like anything though don't go cheap on the model you buy.

 

[Deputy819]

Thru-Hull. None work great at high speeds but a thru-hull works much better.

So, this involves putting a hole in the hull, right? Is this something I can "DIY" or would I be better off letting a marine specialist undertake?

 

[epags]

So, this involves putting a hole in the hull, right? Is this something I can "DIY" or would I be better off letting a marine specialist undertake?

1. Yes.
2. Maybe
3. Get a quote. You may want to go to #2.
You Tube has several videos on what is needed to do a DIY.

 

[Deputy819]

You Tube has several videos on what is needed to do a DIY.

Was just watching some, actually. Saw a guy glue in a transducer for a Garmin…..no drilling required?

 

[Mark37082]

I cringe when thinking about drilling holes in a boat hull. My transducer was epoxied to the inside of the hull, and it worked great up to 55 mph. It was done by a marine technician.

 

[338 dude]

So, this involves putting a hole in the hull, right? Is this something I can "DIY" or would I be better off letting a marine specialist undertake?

Bracket screwed into the transom. Any holes should be above the waterline and definitely use silicone or 3M 5200 adhesive caulk to seal them up. Any through hull fittings below the waterline should be metal either brass or stainless only! use plastic fittings above the waterline.

 

[Deputy819]

My transducer was epoxied to the inside of the hull, and it worked great up to 55 mph. It was done by a marine technician.

This is what I was wanting to do. Seems simple enough. I really don't wanna put a hole in the boat if I can help it. Here's the video I just watched demonstrating the glue-in transducer method.

 

[2buffalo]

So, this involves putting a hole in the hull, right? Is this something I can "DIY" or would I be better off letting a marine specialist undertake?

No hole needed. It gets epoxied to the bottom of the hull. I have not done one myself I always get it done by a professional. If it comes loose at all or has any air bubbles in the epoxy it won't work correctly. I wouldn't think that it would cost too much. I run bass boats so I have them do it when they rig the boat.

 

[Dinosaur hunter]

This is what I was wanting to do. Seems simple enough. I really don't wanna put a hole in the boat if I can help it. Here's the video I just watched demonstrating the glue-in transducer method.

Your hull has to be solid with any core material for this style to work.
I install marine electronics for a living,if a solid hull this is a good option for your use. A transom mount in the correct position can work fine as well. Stick with a high frequency for shallow water use, should still will read past 100ft easy enough. Happy to help with questions you may have.

 

[Deputy819]

I install marine electronics for a living,

PM inbound, brother!

 

[Deputy819]

@Dinosaur hunter was a BIG help here. Ended up going with a Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv monitor and a Garmin GT15M-IH transducer. Anybody ever do the install themselves on these?

Garmin STRIKER™ Vivid 4cv | GPS Fishfinder

STRIKER™ Vivid 4cv is a gps fishfinder with transducer on a 4 inch display.

www.garmin.com

Garmin GT15M-IH | Transducer for Boat

The Garmin GT15M-IH is a transducer that is ideal for boats that want to install the transducer inside a fiberglass hull.

www.garmin.com