Forward Looking Sonar

[BrendanChandler]

<font color="blue"> My existing depth gague is getting tempremental and works when it feels like it.

I am toying withthe idea of replacing it with forward looking sonar, ideally with a transducer that I can mount inside the hull.

Any advice or guidance would be very welcome.

Brendan
</font>

 

[hairbox]

Hi there is an articule in PBO latest edition on fitting one these needs to be mounted externally though.

 

[BrendanChandler]

<font color="blue"> Yes, I read that article but am not happy about the 3" protrusion from the bottom of the boat.
Sounds like an accident waiting to happen, snagged on a rope or hoist sling. </font>

 

[Talbot]

You will not get a forward looking sonar that operates from inside the boat, or that doesnt protrude beneath the hull. There has to be sufficient protrusion for the transducer to be clear of the hull.

 

[ColdFusion]

[ QUOTE ]
<font color="blue"> Yes, I read that article but am not happy about the 3" protrusion from the bottom of the boat.
Sounds like an accident waiting to happen, snagged on a rope or hoist sling. </font>

[/ QUOTE ]
Thought exactly the same. Shame though - useful bit of kit otherwise.

 

[aluijten]

There is a foreward looking sonar from Echopilot (www.echopilot.com) with a protrusion of just 29 millimetres.

Arno

 

[Gypsy]

I have an Echopilot Bronze installed on a 44ft yacht. The transducer must be fitted in a position where it is vertical or within 10deg (I think, check specs). I have the standard transducer which protrudes about 30mm but I dont see it being prone to catch rope/weed etc as the front face is angled at about 60deg as part of the forward focus of the beam. Also it is located behind the front face of the keel so the keel gives it some protection.

I have found it to be very handy for reading the bottom when looking for an anchorage or nearing a sea wall etc. It is not as good as a depth sounder for absolute depth straight below the keel because it is calculating depths from the forward beam. It takes time and practice to interpret the display, in much the same way you need to learn how to interpret a radar display but with fewer variables.

My unit gives useful information for at least 25m ahead and dependent on the type of bottom, up to 70m. Although in the Med I usually moor stern to, it is very handy to point the bow to the mooring position if there is any doubt about the depth so that you can see the way it shallows and therefore protect the rudder from ballast etc. The alarm can sound for no apparent reason but I have come to realize it is most likely fish schools. A quick glance at the screen allows you to see if there is any real threat ahead.

Unfortunately the Echopilot uses 200KHz sonar freaquency which conflicts with Raymarine depth sounders (but not B&G) so I had to make a changeover switch. The screen needs to be mounted near to the helm for best use of the display.

I am quite pleased with my unit and find it very useful in areas where I have limited depth information from charts or pilot books.

Rgds
Ray

 

[hrsailor]

I have the echopilot gold. Yes the transducer protrudes but is protected by the keel. A very useful piece of kit. The tranducer can be removed (like the paddle wheel for speed) but given the diameter it lets in a lot of water. I remove mine before haul out as the transducer is posotoined where the stop is placed. Brian

 

[wallipe]

Have you looked Interphase Probe? The system is not prone to be damaged easily.

Wallu

 

[olofmanner]

I have used an Echopilot Silver for a couple of years. In highspeed it's (of course) useless but I find it excellent when going at moderate speed in "light-blue" areas on the chart.

I have a 30ft daycruiser and I am often by myself aboard. When out alone and mooring on a rocky island, which there are plenty of here in Sweden, it is a very valuable help. Especially those days when the sun doesn't give you any help and the water is plain grey. It does indeed replace the man at the bow.

As a means of mooring/navigating light blue waters in low/moderate speed i grade it AAA.