While we have many sailboats that have successful glue-in installations, we definitely see the most customers' having difficulty with their installations due to:
- hull thickness, especially around the keel.
- limited installation space due to the keel
- fiberglass voids and/or unsaturated
When we have customers ask what type of transducer we recommend for a sailboat, we always tell them a thru-hull is by far the best application for most sailboats. You can exchange your transducer by clicking here.
If the unit reads hanging over the side you can be assured that the depth finder is functioning properly.
Things to look out for while testing your installation location(s) are:
- Great Video HERE with full install from another boat owner.
- Any air pockets or voids will cause the sonar signal to fail.
- Make sure you are using enough petroleum jelly to make a good solid binding agent between the transducer face and the hull.
- We sell an upgraded glue-in transducer, but if you are not having success obtaining any readings, it probably won't solve your problem. Generally, it will only fix erratic readings and will not correct no reading situations.
- Review the manual here
- Check out this support article.
- If you do get the depth finder to shoot thru the hull you must use a 2 part epoxy like this Or if you need it sooner most big box stores sell something like this.
To exchange your transducer for a thru-hull click here.
Comments
3 comments
how do you, and where do you mount depth sounders on sailboat hulls?
You would need to try the in hull "shoot thru" installation in an area forward of the keel. You may also want to try a thru hull style transducer as many sailboat hulls are too thick for a shoot thru style to work. You can email customerservice@norcrossmarine.com for more details.
I have hunter sailboat, my old puck (sounder) worked fine but reading unit failed due to rain and sun exposure. I ordered a Hawkeye D10D depth sounder and wish I had known to try the new Hawkeye unit plugged up to old puck still glued in original position - this would have done the trick. I struggled with gluing new puck into hull and getting consistant readings until I found 2 hour, two part expoxy (settled for quicker cure in first few attempts) now works great. Do not underestimate the importance of correct glue. Great service and support from Customer Service - Patrick. Looking forward to avoiding the shallows. P. W.
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