Transponder Install for 16' Predictor

[jbodensteiner]

I contemplating doing in-hull install of a depth guage transponder in my 16' Predictor. I bought a Hummingbird PiranhaMAX 160 that provides depth and fishfinder capabilities. I really don't care about the fish, but the accuracy of the depth guage will be crutial. Next week the boat will be docked in very shallow water (1' mean low tide on the Wye Rive, MD), so accuracy between 1-10 feet is VERY important. I have read other threads where depth is read over 100', but that level of information is not relavant to me -- I need to know when the water is less than 2' so I can stay within the narrow channel of the creek.

Any suggestions as to the best type of install for my boat? Not sure what type of hull I'm dealing with, but I know I don't want to start cutting into the hull. I'm very new with boat ownership, but I still know that an unintended hole in the bottom can ruin an otherwise good day.

All information/suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

Joe

 

[keith4216]

No need to cut in your hull. Put on a transducer screwed to the transom, just as good with out the worry. Your also in a small boat that dose.nt need much water so don't stress it too much.

 

[john lamon]

If you get a transponder that will read through the hull you can just put it beside the bilge pump if there's room, they just fasten with an epoxy and you don't need to cut any holes or even put any screws in, very clean install and you will get an accurate reading there, you also don't need to worry about breaking it off when your in that shallow of water, the only downside is you might have to remove the fuel tank to access that area, then put it back in and never worry about it again, I've done this install in a few of my boats and it works great, I also run in a creek that's only a few feet deep in spots.

 

[keith4216]

John i hear what your saying but if he was to break off a transducer that means he was sitting on bottom and it was to late for any method.

 

[john lamon]

I hear what your saying to keith, I know you would never park your boat on a beach but some of us bottom feeders do , not sure about this guy but I do all the time and if I had a transponder on my transom it would get broke off every weekend.

For example in this picture the back of my boat is probably a few inches off the bottom, a wave comes in and most likely it will touch the bottom.

I don't have any rocks in my lake to worry about and it's all sand but I have lost more than one speedo pick up or transponder because of it touching the bottom.

 

[jbodensteiner]

Thanks guys!

Based upon the discussion, I'm going to try the in-hull install this fall. I have to remove the fuel tank for other needed repairs anyway (yea, the gauge doesn't work, and I think the float is bad) so I should add this job to my "fuel tank repair weekend."

I appreciate the guidance. Any recommendation as to the right epoxy for the job?

Joe

 

[jbodensteiner]

John,

What does your transponder/gauge read when you are bringing the boat up onto the beach? Does it actually read 2', 1', zero? Just curious.

The creek in front of my home is very soft silt (no rocks), and I'm curious as to whether the creek bed will be firm enough to read true at the shallow depth.

Joe

 

[Mbailey]

Use devcon clear 2 ton slow set epoxy. Ace Hardware

 

[john lamon]

John,

What does your transponder/gauge read when you are bringing the boat up onto the beach? Does it actually read 2', 1', zero? Just curious.

The creek in front of my home is very soft silt (no rocks), and I'm curious as to whether the creek bed will be firm enough to read true at the shallow depth.

Joe

It reads accurately till zero, if it was 6 inches it would say 0.6 ft

My creek bottom is also soft and it seems to work fine.

My transponder came with an epoxy and I'm not even sure what it is.