My associations with depth sounders/echo sounders have not always
been happy. I had a NASA Target 2 Depth Sounder on ‘Ladybird’ and it played up.
I have subsequently learned that the present owner of ‘Ladybird’ has
experienced similar trouble with same depth sounder.
In November of last year I acquired a NASA Marine Sting Ray
depth sounder by winning it on Ebay. I was aware that the sounder lacked a
power cable, a transducer, and a transducer cable, but what I didn’t realise
was how costly replacements would be.
In response to my November article about the Sting Ray, Paul
rightly commented that it could be power hungry. I gave some thought to the
matter, but continued looking for replacement parts. As cheap replacements could
not be found, I more or less gave up on the Sting Ray. I further rejected it on
account of being bulky. Modern depth sounders are far more compact and less
power hungry.
Two days ago a neighbour offered me a Sowester EchoPilot 660
that he no longer wanted. The gizmo came with a transducer and cable, but what
I didn’t realise was that the transducer cable was not suitable. I only became
aware of this when I examined wiring within the cable. There were four very
fine wires in the central core instead of the usual thick one, and the total
diameter of the cable was thinner than it should be.
An Internet search revealed that any of the old type 150 khz
transducers and cables will do. They work out at about £33, inclusive of
packaging and postage.
The Sowester 660, once manufactured by Incastec Marine of
Ringwood, was considerably smaller than the contemporary Sting Ray – hence more
attractive from my point of view, but I have yet to make up my mind whether I should
buy the missing parts for the 660.
I do not believe a depth sounder is essential, but being
able to obtain an instant sounding can be very helpful and it could make a
vital difference in a tricky situation. Meanwhile I have a lead and line, and I
could make a sounding pole for use in shallow water.
Links
Depth Sounder for ‘Minnow’
Important Priority
NASA Target 2 Depth Sounder
NASA Target 2 Depth Sounder
5 comments:
Hi Bill , I always detested those old depth sounders and couldn't wait to get a new digital one. These days I would just buy a cheap garmin fish finder which is of course a depth sounder that also shows fish....and more importantly the contour of the bottom. Once you are used to them you can also identify if the bottom is rocky,muddy or weedy etc.
Cheers
Paul
http://www.priceme.co.nz/Garmin-Echo-100/p-885132189.aspx
P.S. They are also far less power hungry too
Hello Bill, I saw you mentioned a sounding pole. Why not paint some discrete gradations on the yuloh?
Thanks Paul,
If I become desperate for a depth sounder I might indeed part with £100 to get one.
Cheers,
Bill.
Richard,
When I owned 'Sandpiper', a West Wight Potter, I sometimes used her paddle as a sounding pole.
She had a centreplate which was a good indicator for shallow water sailing.
Cheers,
Bill.
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