depth finder "Inside" alum hull
 

Is it possible to mount a depth finder to a single plate aluminum
hull from the the inside? I know that it is possible but will the DF
work without interference from the AL hull? I own a 60 foot Lazy days
houseboat and mounting a transducer near the outdrives doesn't seem to
make a whole lot of sense and mounting a thru hull seems to be asking
for trouble when you beach the boat.

Eric

depth finder "Inside" alum hull
 

Are you talking Depth finder or fish finder? Depth doesn't seem
necessary for such a shallow draft boat. I have a fiberglass hull and
the depth finder reads fine through that -- dunno about aluminum.

Wonder if you could rig some sort of swing up bracket for the Sounder
hear You could raise it when you want to beach it.

moyo wrote:
Is it possible to mount a depth finder to a single plate aluminum
hull from the the inside? I know that it is possible but will the DF
work without interference from the AL hull? I own a 60 foot Lazy days
houseboat and mounting a transducer near the outdrives doesn't seem to
make a whole lot of sense and mounting a thru hull seems to be asking
for trouble when you beach the boat.

Eric

depth finder "Inside" alum hull
 

"moyo" wrote in message
...
Is it possible to mount a depth finder to a single plate aluminum
hull from the the inside? I know that it is possible but will the DF
work without interference from the AL hull? I own a 60 foot Lazy days
houseboat and mounting a transducer near the outdrives doesn't seem to
make a whole lot of sense and mounting a thru hull seems to be asking
for trouble when you beach the boat.

Eric

I have heard it doesn't work too well. That said, it is easy to try by
making a small corral out of clay or caulk and filling it with water.
Put the transducer in the corral full of water and try it. Or use a
plastic bag with water in it to couple the transducer to the hull.

del cecchi

depth finder "Inside" alum hull
 

On Tue, 16 Mar 2004 02:00:13 GMT, moyo
wrote:

Is it possible to mount a depth finder to a single plate aluminum
hull from the the inside?

It is possible to mount it? Yes.

Will it work? No.

I know that it is possible but will the DF work without interference from the
AL hull? I own a 60 foot Lazy days houseboat and mounting a transducer
near the outdrives doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense and mounting
a thru hull seems to be asking for trouble when you beach the boat.

The transducer has to "see" water and the only way that can happen is
if it's in contact with the water.

You can mount the transducer by the outdrives, just keep the
transducer in clear water - when you run the boat, just take a look
over the stern and note where there is clear water and mount the
transducer there.

As I have no idea what the hull of a Lazy Days houseboat looks like, I
can't say much more than that.

However, do you need a depth finder? If you can beach a 60 foot boat,
there can't be much draft to the vessel making the whole point of a
depth finder mute.

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
-----------
"Angling may be said to be so
like the mathematics that it
can never be fully learnt..."

Izaak Walton "The Compleat Angler", 1653

depth finder "Inside" alum hull
 

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...

You can mount the transducer by the outdrives, just keep the
transducer in clear water - when you run the boat, just take a look
over the stern and note where there is clear water and mount the
transducer there.

Another option, based on my experience: I found that there IS no perfect
place on the transom of my yacht. But, I wanted the depth finder primarily
for learning the bottom shapes of my favorite bodies of water, for fishing
purposes. The instructions said that if the thing didn't work right, it
would be mostly at planing speed. I figured that I was more likely to
investigate specific spots at much lower speeds, so I went ahead and bought
the depth finder. Using some existing hardware on the transom and the
outboard's bracket, I mounted a temporary piece of wood to use as an
experimental mounting surface. After trying about 8 locations, I narrowed it
down to one spot. The depth finder's bracket had slotted holes, which
allowed me to fiddle further with vertical adjustment.

Yet another idea: He could design some sort of post on which to attach the
transducer, making the post so it could be slid upward a few inches to get
the thing out of the water for beaching. PVC tubing comes to mind, but that
might vibrate too much as water moved past it. Perhaps some of the synthetic
decking lumber....

depth finder "Inside" alum hull
 

On Tue, 16 Mar 2004 14:46:00 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
.. .

You can mount the transducer by the outdrives, just keep the
transducer in clear water - when you run the boat, just take a look
over the stern and note where there is clear water and mount the
transducer there.

Another option, based on my experience: I found that there IS no perfect
place on the transom of my yacht. But, I wanted the depth finder primarily
for learning the bottom shapes of my favorite bodies of water, for fishing
purposes. The instructions said that if the thing didn't work right, it
would be mostly at planing speed. I figured that I was more likely to
investigate specific spots at much lower speeds, so I went ahead and bought
the depth finder. Using some existing hardware on the transom and the
outboard's bracket, I mounted a temporary piece of wood to use as an
experimental mounting surface. After trying about 8 locations, I narrowed it
down to one spot. The depth finder's bracket had slotted holes, which
allowed me to fiddle further with vertical adjustment.

That board deal is a great idea ~~ writes in idea book ~~
Yet another idea: He could design some sort of post on which to attach the
transducer, making the post so it could be slid upward a few inches to get
the thing out of the water for beaching. PVC tubing comes to mind, but that
might vibrate too much as water moved past it. Perhaps some of the synthetic
decking lumber....

I've done this - I wonder why I didn't think of it.

It works pretty good too as I remember.

Good ideas.

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
-----------
"Angling may be said to be so
like the mathematics that it
can never be fully learnt..."

Izaak Walton "The Compleat Angler", 1653

depth finder "Inside" alum hull
 

I've done this - I wonder why I didn't think of it.


My bwains is shmarter than yers. :-)

depth finder "Inside" alum hull
 

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
removed
However, do you need a depth finder? If you can beach a 60 foot boat,
there can't be much draft to the vessel making the whole point of a
depth finder mute.

I was thinking that if you 'beach' a 60' boat, a through hull
would be the least of your worries. :^)

-Jim

depth finder "Inside" alum hull
 

When he mentioned beaching it, I envisioned bringing the bow close to the
beach and tying it to whatever, but also having the anchor straight out
behind the boat so the stern wouldn't swing around and onto the beach.


"Jim" wrote in message
...


Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
removed
However, do you need a depth finder? If you can beach a 60 foot boat,
there can't be much draft to the vessel making the whole point of a
depth finder mute.

I was thinking that if you 'beach' a 60' boat, a through hull
would be the least of your worries. :^)

-Jim

depth finder "Inside" alum hull
 

On Tue, 16 Mar 2004 17:14:37 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:


I've done this - I wonder why I didn't think of it.

My bwains is shmarter than yers. :-)

More than likely.

Then again, I ain't all that smart. :)

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
-----------
"Angling may be said to be so
like the mathematics that it
can never be fully learnt..."

Izaak Walton "The Compleat Angler", 1653

depth finder "Inside" alum hull
 

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...

The transducer has to "see" water and the only way that can happen is
if it's in contact with the water.

Not true.

There are plenty of intallations where the transducer is mounted inside a
fiberglass hull and shoots through the hull. The last three boats I have
owned were set up that way. It definately cuts down the range it can reach,
but it doesn't need to be wet.

I am not sure how well it would work shooting through an aluminum hull.
It's easy to try, however. Just take a small tube of RTV and squeeze it out
into a puddle on the inside of the hull. (it would be best to clean the
hull first so it will get a good stick). Rock the transducer down into the
puddle, being carefull to avoid trapping any air. Just "moosh" it down into
the puddle.

Now see if it works. If it works okay, let the RTV cure and your all set.
If it doesn't work, pull it up before right away.



However, do you need a depth finder? If you can beach a 60 foot boat,
there can't be much draft to the vessel making the whole point of a
depth finder mute.


I sure don't follow your reasoning. There are times that I might beach a
houseboat, but I would do it very carefully. The outdrives will still
require a few feet of depth for operation, just like any boat. I wouldn't
want to hit my props on a houseboat any more than I would any boat.

Rod

depth finder "Inside" alum hull
 

On Tue, 16 Mar 2004 18:05:51 GMT, Jim
wrote:



Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
removed
However, do you need a depth finder? If you can beach a 60 foot boat,
there can't be much draft to the vessel making the whole point of a
depth finder mute.

I was thinking that if you 'beach' a 60' boat, a through hull
would be the least of your worries. :^)

Around the places I fish in CT and RI, beaching a boat would be a more
or less permanent installation. :)

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
-----------
"Angling may be said to be so
like the mathematics that it
can never be fully learnt..."

Izaak Walton "The Compleat Angler", 1653

depth finder "Inside" alum hull
 

On Tue, 16 Mar 2004 18:29:25 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

When he mentioned beaching it, I envisioned bringing the bow close to the
beach and tying it to whatever, but also having the anchor straight out
behind the boat so the stern wouldn't swing around and onto the beach.


"Jim" wrote in message
...


Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
removed
However, do you need a depth finder? If you can beach a 60 foot boat,
there can't be much draft to the vessel making the whole point of a
depth finder mute.

I was thinking that if you 'beach' a 60' boat, a through hull
would be the least of your worries. :^)

I was thinking Cape Cod beaching where you run the boat right up on
the beach.

Of course now that I think about it, your approach would be more
reasonable.

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
-----------
"Angling may be said to be so
like the mathematics that it
can never be fully learnt..."

Izaak Walton "The Compleat Angler", 1653

depth finder "Inside" alum hull
 

On Tue, 16 Mar 2004 11:27:32 -0800, "Rod McInnis"
wrote:


"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
.. .

The transducer has to "see" water and the only way that can happen is
if it's in contact with the water.

Not true.

There are plenty of intallations where the transducer is mounted inside a
fiberglass hull and shoots through the hull. The last three boats I have
owned were set up that way. It definately cuts down the range it can reach,
but it doesn't need to be wet.

You are correct.

I misspoke.

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
-----------
"Angling may be said to be so
like the mathematics that it
can never be fully learnt..."

Izaak Walton "The Compleat Angler", 1653

depth finder "Inside" alum hull
 

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 16 Mar 2004 18:29:25 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

When he mentioned beaching it, I envisioned bringing the bow close to the
beach and tying it to whatever, but also having the anchor straight out
behind the boat so the stern wouldn't swing around and onto the beach.


"Jim" wrote in message
...


Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
removed
However, do you need a depth finder? If you can beach a 60 foot
boat,
there can't be much draft to the vessel making the whole point of a
depth finder mute.

I was thinking that if you 'beach' a 60' boat, a through hull
would be the least of your worries. :^)

I was thinking Cape Cod beaching where you run the boat right up on
the beach.

Of course now that I think about it, your approach would be more
reasonable.

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
-----------
"Angling may be said to be so
like the mathematics that it
can never be fully learnt..."

Izaak Walton "The Compleat Angler", 1653

Ever seen Izaak Walton's recipe for cooking a whole pike? To die for! Or
from. Lots of butter.

depth finder "Inside" alum hull
 

"Jim" wrote in message
...


Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
removed
However, do you need a depth finder? If you can beach a 60 foot boat,
there can't be much draft to the vessel making the whole point of a
depth finder mute.

I was thinking that if you 'beach' a 60' boat, a through hull
would be the least of your worries. :^)

-Jim


Is done all the time with houseboats in Lake Mead and Lake Powell. Run the
bow on to the beach and an anchor off the stern. Run a gangplank down to
the beach to go ashore. I have an aluminum river jetboat and the transducer
is on a plate on the transom and just kicks up if you get too shallow. Run
over a small sandbar, or park the boat on top of a gravel bar. Gravel bar
is worst. Smashed one chine flat. $175 to repair.
Bill

Bill

depth finder "Inside" alum hull
 

On Tue, 16 Mar 2004 22:08:29 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
.. .
On Tue, 16 Mar 2004 18:29:25 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

When he mentioned beaching it, I envisioned bringing the bow close to the
beach and tying it to whatever, but also having the anchor straight out
behind the boat so the stern wouldn't swing around and onto the beach.


"Jim" wrote in message
...


Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
removed
However, do you need a depth finder? If you can beach a 60 foot
boat,
there can't be much draft to the vessel making the whole point of a
depth finder mute.

I was thinking that if you 'beach' a 60' boat, a through hull
would be the least of your worries. :^)

I was thinking Cape Cod beaching where you run the boat right up on
the beach.

Of course now that I think about it, your approach would be more
reasonable.

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
-----------
"Angling may be said to be so
like the mathematics that it
can never be fully learnt..."

Izaak Walton "The Compleat Angler", 1653

Ever seen Izaak Walton's recipe for cooking a whole pike? To die for! Or
from. Lots of butter.

That one must have escaped me somewhere along the line.

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
-----------
"Angling may be said to be so
like the mathematics that it
can never be fully learnt..."

Izaak Walton "The Compleat Angler", 1653

depth finder "Inside" alum hull
 

Doug Kanter wrote:
When he mentioned beaching it, I envisioned bringing the bow close to the
beach and tying it to whatever, but also having the anchor straight out
behind the boat so the stern wouldn't swing around and onto the beach.

Yep: we see the houseboaters doing that all the time on lake Lanier.
Looks like a good way to spend the day :-)

Capt Jack R..

depth finder "Inside" alum hull
 

On Tue, 16 Mar 2004 18:29:25 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

When he mentioned beaching it, I envisioned bringing the bow close to the
beach and tying it to whatever, but also having the anchor straight out
behind the boat so the stern wouldn't swing around and onto the beach.


"Jim" wrote in message
...


Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
removed
However, do you need a depth finder? If you can beach a 60 foot boat,
there can't be much draft to the vessel making the whole point of a
depth finder mute.

I was thinking that if you 'beach' a 60' boat, a through hull
would be the least of your worries. :^)

-Jim


Yep, that's pretty much the idea. My reasoning behind the DF was that
Lake Lanier varies a lot by year in it's water height and where an
island that is now 5' underwater could next week be 2' underwater. If
I had a DF near the bow then I would be able to see the island rising
and turn to avoid it. As to beaching, as you said, the front is shoved
up about 7 feet onto the shore and then stern lines are attached to
trees at 45 degree angles to prevent the stern from swinging up onto
the beach.

eric