Depth sounder

C

Coupe

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The sounder on SV has been set at 1.5m below the props - is this too conservative as it frightens the life out of MrsSV when she sees zero as we cross Malahide Bar.

I don't really use the sounder at Malahide as I use landmarks instead but of course I would be unsure elsewhere as to where the limit is.

I have a Raymarine guy calling out to reset the giro so maybe time to change the sounder settings also?

What does the panel think?

Kawasaki need not respond /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Personally, I set my echo sounder to surface level so that I can compare the depth shown directly with charts and tide tables. It is also easier when passing information to other boats.

I then set the shallow water alarm to suit my needs at the time. My draught is 1m so I set it to 1.5m when near my home mooring which is very shallow. On the tidal River Thames I use 3m and when cruising in coastal waters I might use 5 or 10m.

I seldom use the deep water alarm unless I need to follow a depth contour.
 
I would leave it at 1m below props, as you know water drains pretty quick at Malahide so having 1m below the props gives you a bit of a safety margin, if it starts beeping you know you have a bit extra to play with but won't be long on an ebb if you are in the shallows before you are churning through the sand. If you set it at say 0.5m well you are near as dam it on the sand within a few minutes and no margin to plough your way out /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I agree with dave seager. I don't think that the echo sounder should have any offset. I prefer to know the exact depth of water so that I can relate it to the chart and any tidal calculation. Anyway it's much less scary to be floating in 2.0m of water than 0.5m /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
It's all a bit academic because of course, anyone can add back any offset to get the real depth. It's just my personal preference is to have the real depth indicated on the sounder display
 
After last weekends experience at Porth Dinllaen I have reasoned that mine must set at the top of the arch! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
I dried out for an hour or two, despite my best efforts not to.

[/ QUOTE ]

I told you not to listen to him /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Kwakers idea of deep water is known as damp sand to others /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys - I think I'll go with Nautical on this one and see how we get on.

Cheers.
 
For what its worth, I agree with mjf. The number on the screen (always feet) is exactly what is left to play with.
When prowling in shallow water, admittedly mostly mud, there seems too many other things to think about.
Maybe if operating mainly in rocky bottom, would add a bit more?
 
[ QUOTE ]
I dried out for an hour or two, despite my best efforts not to.

[/ QUOTE ]

Do you mean you stopped drinking for an hour or two /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Bejaysus , don't listen to them 'Micks'
Its all 'Blarney' /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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