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depth sounder hull fitting

  • April 02, 2012 11:43 AM
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    Message # 874684
    Deleted user
    Hi everyone - I have a non-functioning "sensi-depth" depth sounder that looks older than the hills. The transducer is at a thru-hull fitting that looks like the attached picture externally. What is this fitting? Should I even try to replace the transducer that's in it with my new one? The local fiberglass guru here told me to leave it alone when I asked him if I should remove it altogether. Thoughts?

    Last modified: April 03, 2012 6:07 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
  • April 02, 2012 11:46 AM
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    Reply # 874687 on 874684
    Deleted user
    the picture doesn't seem to want to post - I must be doing something wrong! The external fitting seems to be a sealed metal box that is glassed to the hull.
  • April 03, 2012 6:09 AM
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    Reply # 880756 on 874684
    Anonymous member (Administrator)
    Pygmalion had a knob type depth sounder -- I removed the device and patched in the hole.  The new depth sounder "shines" through the hull. 
  • April 03, 2012 7:12 AM
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    Reply # 880813 on 874684
    Anonymous
    Wow.  Look at that thing hanging out of the hull. Talk about a drag.  I'd ditch it and patch the hole!  
  • April 03, 2012 7:24 AM
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    Reply # 880825 on 874684
    Deleted user
    I know! I wanted to remove it last year but the fiberglass guy told me to leave it - is there no downside to ditching it?
  • April 03, 2012 10:04 AM
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    Reply # 880957 on 874684
    Anonymous
    The downside is the work required to properly remove it. 

    I'm no expert, but I believe the procedure would be to: 
    1. remove the transducer (if you can call it that, more like "Brick!")
    2. grind a 12 to 1 bevel around the hole (takes some skill)
    3. layer fiberglass "circles" one by one (increasing size as you go) until you fill the full 12:1 crater
    4. Fair the hull where the repair is
    5. epoxy (barrier coat over)
    6. paint over, blending with existing antifoul
  • April 03, 2012 1:39 PM
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    Reply # 881138 on 874684
    Anonymous member
    You may want to simply replace it with a modern through hull with speed transducer, rather than fill the hole. That is what I did. That way, you will know exactly how much slower you are sailing;-)
  • April 09, 2012 10:01 AM
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    Reply # 885469 on 874684
    Deleted user
    Just an update - when we removed the one nut on the interior of the hull that was holding the transducer in place, the whole assembly bottom fell off leaving the vertical housing and hole in the glass. There was very little sealant anywhere - I guess it would only have been a matter of time before it started leaking or failed all together.

    I bought a 'shine through' depth sounder. Any ideas for best location?
  • April 09, 2012 12:14 PM
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    Reply # 885554 on 874684
    Anonymous
    Holy crap.  I bet you're glad you removed that old thing. 
  • April 13, 2012 9:21 AM
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    Reply # 889096 on 874684
    Deleted user
    Recomendation not so much for the location.
     (Mine amid ship about 3" above the sole on the port side)

    But for the transmision fluid media.  I give a high recomendation for "silly putty" (Great stuff and does not seam to have the ill effects of water or oil i.e. leak out )  
    You can even do location test checks without making a well. 

    Hope this helps
    Norm
    Last modified: April 13, 2012 9:26 AM | Deleted user