I wonder what would the best way to calibrate a depth sounder.
From what I read most depth sounders default setting are calibrated from
the transducer to the sea bed.
Other prefer to adjust the setting to the water line to the bottom of the
sea or from the bottom of the keel.
I wonder what is the preferred method of calibrating?

wrote:
I wonder what would the best way to calibrate a depth sounder.

The only thing that counts is how much water is under the keel.

Lew

Lew Hodgett brought forth on stone tablets:
wrote:
I wonder what would the best way to calibrate a depth sounder.

The only thing that counts is how much water is under the keel.

Lew

Absolutely true Lew. And yet, I leave mine set to show the depth of
water between the transducer and the sea bed. This is a built in safety
margin which I really like to have. Keeps the occasional rock, stump,
etc on the bottom from having a close encounter with my keel. Or a deep
trough from a passing Bayliner from dropping me to the bottom.

bob
s/v Eolian
Seattle

"RW Salnick" wrote in message
...
Lew Hodgett brought forth on stone tablets:
wrote:
I wonder what would the best way to calibrate a depth sounder.

The only thing that counts is how much water is under the keel.

Lew

Absolutely true Lew. And yet, I leave mine set to show the depth of water
between the transducer and the sea bed. This is a built in safety margin
which I really like to have. Keeps the occasional rock, stump, etc on
the bottom from having a close encounter with my keel. Or a deep trough
from a passing Bayliner from dropping me to the bottom.

bob
s/v Eolian
Seattle

I agreed with the fact that what counts is how much water is under the keel
However, I have been, for years, using the depth to validate my position on
the chart.
Conversely, with today's electronics I could say 100 feet + 6 (draft) should
read 106 feet on the chart.
This way I could validate my position with the radar and GPS.

wrote:


I agreed with the fact that what counts is how much water is under
the keel
However, I have been, for years, using the depth to validate my
position on
the chart.
Conversely, with today's electronics I could say 100 feet + 6
(draft) should
read 106 feet on the chart.
This way I could validate my position with the radar and GPS.

Trying to use chart data, some of it at least 100 years old, to
validate depth, to validate position?

You have got to be kidding.


If you find yourself in less than 20 ft of water, time for a lead
line, IMHO.

At that point, screw the instruments.

Lew

wrote in message
...
I wonder what would the best way to calibrate a depth sounder.
From what I read most depth sounders default setting are calibrated from
the transducer to the sea bed.
Other prefer to adjust the setting to the water line to the bottom of the
sea or from the bottom of the keel.
I wonder what is the preferred method of calibrating?

I have mine set at the bottom trailing edge of my outboard rudder, being
that is lowest point. That is the zero point and I have the alarm set for
three feet. I want to know the ground clearance rather than how deep the
water is at this point. This carries over from my flying days.
Leanne

On 2007-06-26 19:39:48 -0400, Lew Hodgett said:

wrote:

I agreed with the fact that what counts is how much water is under the keel

However, I have been, for years, using the depth to validate my
position on the chart. Conversely, with today's electronics I could say
100 feet + 6 (draft) should read 106 feet on the chart.

This way I could validate my position with the radar and GPS.

Trying to use chart data, some of it at least 100 years old, to
validate depth, to validate position?

You have got to be kidding.

If you find yourself in less than 20 ft of water, time for a lead line, IMHO.

At that point, screw the instruments.

Lew

Obviously, you don't sail the Chesapeake. We spend most of our time in
less than 20 feet; sometimes our speed reads greater than the depth. We
often raft up with others, so knowing the actual depth is even handier.

We originally calibrated by anchoring where we had a fairly flat
bottom, measured the depth, then adjusted the gauge to match. If it
reads 4.3, we're floating; 4.2 means we just bumped.

--
Jere Lull
Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD
Xan's new pages: http://web.mac.com/jerelull/iWeb/Xan/
Our BVI pages: http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

Jere Lull wrote:

Obviously, you don't sail the Chesapeake. We spend most of our time in
less than 20 feet; sometimes our speed reads greater than the
depth. We
often raft up with others, so knowing the actual depth is even handier.

Actually, waters that are very similar to C/B, mostly the western 1/3
of Lake Erie; however, Detroit and St Clair Rivers as well as Lake St
Clair can make things very interesting on your way to Lake Huron.

You learn to stay at least a mile off shore, and then head straight in
when it is time to go to port.

The shore line is definitely not your friend.

If you don't touch bottom at least once over the weekend, , you stayed
in your slipG.

Lew

Lew Hodgett wrote:
however, Detroit and St Clair Rivers as well as Lake St Clair
can make things very interesting on your way to Lake Huron.

You learn to stay at least a mile off shore, and then head straight in
when it is time to go to port.

I learned to waterski and jump freighter wakes in the Detroit River. First time I fell I was shocked
to be able to stand in neck deep water 1000' from shore...you see in 1968, you couldn't see the bottom
in 5' of water in the Detroit River!!!

In article et,
Lew Hodgett wrote:

wrote:


I agreed with the fact that what counts is how much water is under
the keel
However, I have been, for years, using the depth to validate my
position on
the chart.
Conversely, with today's electronics I could say 100 feet + 6
(draft) should
read 106 feet on the chart.
This way I could validate my position with the radar and GPS.

Trying to use chart data, some of it at least 100 years old, to
validate depth, to validate position?

You have got to be kidding.


If you find yourself in less than 20 ft of water, time for a lead
line, IMHO.

At that point, screw the instruments.

Lew

I sail in a very shallow lake where walking on water is not a miracle.

Some people buy fish finders so they can see the rocks.

Have fun