Simple depth sounder

[ed_dash]

Hi,

I'm looking for a simple and relatively cheap depth sounder to fit to our Sailing Club RIBs.

Ideally I want it to be wired into the ignition so comes on without the need for button pressing, be able to set an audible alarm for say 1m and to be fit flush into a console.

By relatively cheap I mean £100 ish.

The aim is to warn the RIB crew of the depth when they aren't paying attention or distracted by sailors.

We have 5 RIBs and not a year goes past that we don't have to replace at least one propeller.

We have tried the education approach, now to try the technological.

Any ideas appreciated.

Cheers

Ed

[jeffstevens763@g]

Ed look on force 4 Chandlers lowrance elite 4 £99.95 there are others give them a call they will sort you out 03451300710
cheers

[ed_dash]

Thanks, it looks a good fish finder for the money but almost too complex for what I need.

I was thinking about the Hawkeye dashboard mounted depth sounder, but as this will be a test to see if makes the props last longer £140 is a little steep (with the ally props being between £100 and £120) and I'm not sure it will auto turn on with the ignition.

Cheers.

[jeffstevens763@g]

If performance is not needed why not go for a prop Guard

[paintman]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

If performance is not needed why not go for a prop Guard

What he said. Something making beeping noises isn't going to make much difference & by that time it'll probably be too late anyway.
Only problem is that a quick google suggests they are likely to cost more than an ally prop.

[jeffstevens763@g]

You only get one go with the prop lots more with the guard

£150 ish for a prop guard small engine two props worth!

[beamishken]

It amazes me that prop guards aren't a requirement for sailing club ribs I've seen the standard of some of the drivers at our kids sailing club quite scarey realy
So probably a good investment in terms of safety and saving props too

[paintman]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

You only get one go with the prop lots more with the guard

£150 ish for a prop guard small engine two props worth!

I suspect the OPs problem is the outlay for 5 would be £750 & 'relatively cheap' appears to be a major criteria. Initial cost represents 6 or 7 props-worth, although the club should take into account the potential for serious damage to an engine which might make £750 look like a bargain!

[Last Tango]

I bought a "Hawkeye" from the US a few years back and even with the VAT, duty & TNT's £20 "admin fee" it came to about £85. Worth a bit of research ? Try Rex Marine CA. The parts I've got from them have been delivered all the way by UPS..... Awesome! I phoned Rex at 11:00PM Monday and the parts turned up 03:00 PM Wednesday! Result

[ed_dash]

We looked into prop guards, but decided against due to the lack of performance and increase to fuel use age, the initial outlay and we replace one engine a year, and so don't particularly like drilling holes in the cavitation plate.

Most of our drivers are actually not too bad, but if you are instructing kids it's easy to get distracted.

If someone is planing towards the beach then no, some beeping won't stop them, but when tootling around the beep will just remind them, that's all we are after. It seems that gone are the days of 'Dipping and oar'.

I was hoping that I had missed seeing a simple echo sounder but seems I may have to splash out on £140 see if it helps for the new engine this year to last.

Cheers

[jeffstevens763@g]

to be honest a prop a year 5 boats not bad going really when you consider what your doing and how long your on the water.worth talking to the suppliers there might be something out there just an audible warning.

[Fenlander]

>>>I was hoping that I had missed seeing a simple echo sounder but seems I may have to splash out on £140

This any good at £90?

Nasa - Nasa Target 2 Depth - Pirates Cave Chandlery

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

>>>I was hoping that I had missed seeing a simple echo sounder but seems I may have to splash out on £140

This any good at £90?

Nasa - Nasa Target 2 Depth - Pirates Cave Chandlery

same spec & price as force 4 chandlers

[Fenlander]

Ahh OK... I'd just picked up on Ed saying he didn't want to spend £140. Assumed the Lowrance Elite had jumped to that.

[paintman]

Originally Posted by ed_dash

We looked into prop guards, but decided against due to the lack of performance and increase to fuel use age, the initial outlay and we replace one engine a year, and so don't particularly like drilling holes in the cavitation plate.
Cheers

Zapcats would suggest otherwise.........
I can see the argument that holes in the cavitation plate might put some purchasers off when you sell the engine.

[Pikey Dave]

If you want a really simple sounder.........

[paintman]

Hmmm. Youngsters swinging lumps of lead on a nice piece of rope..........any one for conkers?

[telcowilliam]

I have a used Hawkeye that was on the boat for a couple of months you can have for £50 plus postage or collect from north wales

[craigdavis]

Lowrance do a simple small gauge with transducer included. Comes with simple transom mount transducer that you could just bond in hull if your running single skin hulls.

Lowrance LST-3800 2� Depth/Temp Gauge | Rowlands Marine Electronics

[Pikey Dave]

Despite the OP's reservations I think that prop guards are the way to go. They are a collective measure that requires no user input & are more or less idiot proof. They also serve multiple purposes in that they protect props AND people. A buzzer is easily ignored in the heat of the moment, especially if it's going off all the time, the users will become deaf to it. The technology will require some user input, & at the price point the OP is looking at, it ain't going to be top end quality, especially the NASA stuff.


Just my 2 penneth, IMHO yada yada....