Replacement Depth Gauge and transducer

[mnmarty]

I'm planning to replace the stock thru-hull transducer with an in-hull glued-in transducer. Also replacing the dash gauge. I've looked through all the previous posts. I debated about drilling the larger hole for a newer transducer but couldn't pull the trigger.

I have a 2001 Sunscape V-drive. Hopefully, someone has the simple placement answer for the new transducer.

Do I glue the new one next to the old transducer? Or do I go to the opposite side and glue it basically in the same location? The opposite side has the water intake. It's not in the way but have no idea if this interferes with the signal due to some kind of turbulance.

I planning to install the Hawkeye DepthTrax 2B Boat Mount in Dash Digital Depth Finder https://hawkeyeelectronics.com/products/depthtrax-2b-boatmount-depth-finder. Has 2" gauge like the Lowrance.

Also any tips about removing the rubberized coating on the bottom of the bilge? I'm planning to just scrape away to get down to the fiberglass hull.

 

Appreciate the help

 

[uk_exile]

Any chance you return it and get thru hull instead? I fitted thru hull Hawkeye 2BX a year ago. Was easy to replace original airmar transducer with the new airmar that’s supplied by Hawkeye. As remove old transducer pull through a draw rope. New transducer needed bigger hole but that’s easy. Use jigsaw or holesaw to cut a piece of ply fitting old hole diameter, tape it into existing hole. It provides the ‘centre’ for holesaw matching new transducer diameter. Initially run drill in reverse at low speed until it’s through gel coat then just drill normally. Was easy to do. I wouldn’t avoid it. Have read of people having issues with through hull transducers 

[mnmarty]

Thanks for the encouragement! I was all ready to go but my wife gave me the hex. She really didn't want me making the hole bigger. So you know how it goes, if "anything" screws up It'll be a big "I told you so!" Can 't risk that!

I haven't bought it yet so no worries. That was my "plan." Considering mine doesn't work at all, anything would be a total upgrade!

it would be nice to know if someone had already used the 2B in a V-drive and had good results.

 

[justgary]

2 hours ago, mnmarty said:

She really didn't want me making the hole bigger.

I'll skip the "that's what she said" joke and just remind you what somebody told me long ago:  In life you'll sometimes find woman decisions and man decisions. 

In this case, the man decision is to make the hole bigger.  It will work out just fine.  Depth transducers are very sensitive about having any air between them and the water.  Any air in the glue blob or a void in the fiberglass in a glue-in transducer will cause trouble.  A through-hull installation will always be superior.

I really like the plywood plug idea that @uk_exile used.  That's a great way to get excellent results with a hole saw in or near an existing hole.

[mnmarty]

Too funny! Read this out loud to my wife. I think she's coming around.

BTW there was a post about removing the old transducer. Can't find it. There was some tricks about getting the old one out.

Appreciate the input!

 

[uk_exile]

To remove I just undid the big nut and pushed down. It popped out of the hull easily. It was not a tight fit and had a lot of sealant around it.  

I measured to much sure had plenty of space, removed it then drilled as described. Photos are before, old hole, wood plug, new hole.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14EoSGfrofD80ZkFjN7ESkF4YnLMQuOLb/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lu4ByLLcSAnx4O3vrsJJsRH4-qTNvn6M/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13S0FWHGsj4YjHSlgmRMpAzxbUHGAsHGH/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vnJUSOZxgOoYAK2ixZvRuPCdrCEoFjKN/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kmIC41AxkQgGB-ZuzW6hAAS_S5kn1ea4/view?usp=sharing

 

[mnmarty]

Can’t thank you enough! Pics are great! I’m inspired. BTW, what sealant did you use?

[uk_exile]

8 hours ago, mnmarty said:

Can’t thank you enough! Pics are great! I’m inspired. BTW, what sealant did you use?

Can't recall. Small tube of marine sealant I grabbed at boat shop. Certainly nothing special.

[justgary]

I'd use 3M 5200 if you can get a small tube of it.  4200 if you don't want to spring for 5200.

[mnmarty]

I did it! Had to keep the boat on the lift and use a plank underneath it. When I put it on the trailer felt too close to the bunk to get the job done.

I put in the Hawkeye. Did the wood insert in the old hole and made a perfect cut with the 2" hole cutter.

Question is this. What happens if the lift bunk or trailer bunk sits under the new depth finder transducer? The old one was flush or slightly inset with the gelcoat.

The new plastic flange obviously sits above the gelcoat.
Any issues with cracking if the weigh of the boat was on this?

Thanks for all the previous encouragement!

[uk_exile]

@mnmarty obviously it'd be ideal if the transducer wasn't sitting on the bunk but I doubt you'll have any issues. As you would have seen the hull is around 30mm thick in that area.