Bayliner 185 Depth Sounder / Finder

[acevedor2]

Hey guys,
Want to install a depth finder/sounder in my 2008 Bayliner F-18 Flight. I have done a bit of searching, as well as reviewed the threads that exist here, but I still have some questions and some of the other thread are a bit old so I am not sure if the informations is valid. My specific questions are:
1 - Do the finders that have the transducers that mount under the engine in the bilge area work? I would much rather epoxy one in if they work than have tomount a transom unit.
2 - Anything special or "gotchas" I should be aware of when installing one of these? I intend to wire it up to the accessory switch on the dash.
3 - What is a good unit to buy? I don't fish, so I am really not looking for a fish finder unit.
4 - Does anyone know if bayliner has one that actually matches the other gauges on the dash?

Thanks as always for the fantastic support!

 

[UncleWillie]

Look closely at your gages. Bayliner buys most of them from Faria. Quality gages.
The Faria Depth only gages do not really match any of their series. It think they second source them.

You can epoxy the transducer to the hull using slow set epoxy. Not 5 minute epoxy.
Use modeling clay to form a dam to keep the epoxy "puddle" under control.

Would a Depth-Finder/GPS Combo unit be of any interest?

 

[acevedor2]

Thanks Willie - I have actually considered a combo GPS unit. Perhaps one that even has the ability to load local charts/depths. So are the hill mounted transducers accurate and do they work correctly? Also, is the epoxt that thin that it would puddle? Most of the time I have used epoxy, it is thick enough and doesn't "flow or pudddle" at all.

 

[bruceb58]

Is there an area in your bilge that allows the transducer to shoot straight down and is not at an angle?

 

[H20Rat]

Hull transducers are usually not quite as good at high speed, and they obviously won't tell you water temperature.

 

[bruceb58]

Hull transducers are usually not quite as good at high speed, and they obviously won't tell you water temperature.

Agreed, I always use transom mounts for that reason and that they perform better there.

 

[UncleWillie]

Epoxy is notorious for flowing into and out of everything.
Especially 1+ hour epoxies.
You are probably used to taking 3 minutes to get 5 minute epoxy mixed and in place.

The transducer epoxy will need to be poured into a modeling clay damed puddle and allowed to stand for 5-10 minutes to allow the air bubbles that were trapped during mixing to come to the surface before pressing the transducer into the puddle.
Air bubbles in the epoxy will reflect the sonar pings.
Placing the transducer properly is not a trivial task.
Hull mounted is not the best for performance due to the difficulties with proper installation.

 

[bruceb58]

There is another way of doing an inside the hull which is good if the hull is angled.
http://www.dngoodchild.com/7752.htm

I have done similar to this. What I did was make a fiberglass box which gets fiberglassed to the bottom of the hull. This box gets filled with water and the transducer gets mounted to the lid.

Another problem with shoot thrus is that if you happen to get unlucky and there is a small void in the area where you mount the transducer, you are screwed.

 

[dingbat]

Unless you fish, a rock and string will provide all the information you need.

I wouldn't worry about angled hulls, epoxy types and voids. None of it will matter. The errors in depth caused by the waves will negate the other causes.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Agreed, I always use transom mounts for that reason and that they perform better there.

+1 here.......I have a Hummingbird 587 ci hd.. tranducer is transom mount. screw it on..and seal it....it performs very well. avoid hull mounts

 

[acevedor2]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate all of the responses. Assuming I go with a transom mount, any gotchas I should be aware of other than sealing it? Is there a better spot than others to put it on? Also, what is a good model to put on and is there a manufacturer that is better than others? Thanks!

 

[bruceb58]

I sometimes beach my boat sideways so I have it on the side away from where I normally beach.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Follow mounting instructions...lots of quality products to chose from..hummingbird. lowerence..others..if u are running your transducer wire through transom as most do. Dont cut the wire.. drill hole big enough to get your connector through intact..pull it through... lots of ways to seal it.. i used a 5/8 dowel rod. Same as hole size. Cut a slot out wide and deep enough so wire fit. Pushed it in..foamed it. Packed it sealed it w clear caulk..clam shelled wire caulked again...good luck