Depth Finder

[gbb]

Going to install a depth finder tomorrow on my JC Suntoon. The instructions doesn't say anything about installing on a toon. Any one have any sugesstions, plus this is the first time I will be installing a depth finder. Any info would be great.

Thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Depth Finder

On most newer pontoons there is a bracket welded to the back end of one or both of the pontoons like shown below. Since the helm is on the starboard side of the boat, you would mount the transducer on the port pontoon. The transducer needs to be in the water at speed so it needs to protrude slightly below the bottom of the pontoon. If your tubes don't have the bracket, one could be fashioned from sheet aluminim and tack welded to the tube by a local welder. Shouldn't cost much. You could even rough up the tube a little and try JB Weld.

 

[gbb]

Re: Depth Finder

Yes, I do have brackets on both sides. Do I mount it about an 1/8' below the toon surface?

 

[quantico]

Re: Depth Finder

I don't know that I would go below the level of the toon as you want to protect the depth sensor. I mounted mine on a bracket that is at the back of the port toon. The shape of my toon gets narrower to a point at the back end of the toon. My depth transducer is about an inch or two higher than the bottom of the main toon. My boat however allows me to mount this way and have great access without blocking the forward looking sensor that looks at about a 30 degree forward angle.

( some depth finders are straight down only / and some have two beams one of which is angled forward to determine the depth that you are traveling toward) Higher quality transducers kind of take info from both of the beams and average them into one reading.

When my boat is pulled out on a trailer I wanted at least an inch or two of clearance to the bottom so that the mount won't be damaged and the sensor will stay in place. My depth finder gives me distance of clearance to the near bottom of the toon. That has worked well for several years.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Depth Finder

You need to follow the directions in the locator manual. If you don't get the transducer in the water it won't read. Remember, at speed, the bottom of the pontoon where the transducer is located is not very deep in the water so mounted too high it will have air between it and the water. Transducers have a kickup feature that allows it to pivot up if it hits some debris in the water. Generally it is grass/weeds that are a problem more than debris since the design of the tubes forces branches and other floating debris to one side of the tube or the other so it is not a danger to the transducer.

 

[gbb]

Re: Depth Finder

All the info I have says mount it even with the bottom. But they refer to reg. boats. I am in Chincoteaque VA back bay and there is alot of very shallow water, sand bars ect. I need it mainly for the depth, going to try and mount it tomorrow and give it a test drive. Will be nice to get out on the water. Hoping for nice weather and some fish to bite.

Thanks

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Depth Finder

This is how my transducer is set up. About an inch higher than the bottom of the log and a slight upward angle in the back of the transducer helps keep the readings locked in..

 

[Captain Trips]

Re: Depth Finder

My transducer is mounted like Ricks and it performs well. One thing to be careful of is the cable length. I installed mine and ran the cable neatly with my existing wire bundles...everything in place with cable ties and squared off with the frame. The only problem was the cable was about 18" short! Didn't have any shielded cable or heat shrink connectors at the time and wanted to get on the water so I had to cheat and make it a straight run under the deck to the console. Works fine and hasn't chafed anywhere yet but I am not proud of the install...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Depth Finder

very true on cable length, but they do make extension cables, do not try to splice them.

 

[gbb]

Re: Depth Finder

Thanks so much for the pics and the tip about the cable, I will check the length out first before I get really into it than come up short.
How did you guys attach the cable running up the toon?

This forum is great for us newbies!!!!!!!!

Just got the ATT wireless, that how I can get my messages from our camper in Chincoteague, love all these toys.

 

[phipps]

Re: Depth Finder

.....Since the helm is on the starboard side of the boat, you would mount the transducer on the port pontoon.

If the helm is on the starboard side, why wouldn't you mount the transducer on that side? The cable length would be a shorter run.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Depth Finder

If the helm is on the starboard side, why wouldn't you mount the transducer on that side? The cable length would be a shorter run.

Absolutely. I would have, but with the rear boarding ladder, I was concerned someone might step on the transducer when climbing up..