One of the most needed accessories for any boat is a depth finder, which is basically a sonar unit. Every boat owner has probably experienced the disappointment of ruining an enjoyable weekend on the lake or river by dinging the boat's prop on an underwater rock. After doing this a few times most boat owners finally wake up and realize they need to install and learn use a basic model depth finder.
Instructions
1. Install the chosen depth finder according to the instruction manual that comes with the unit. Transducer installation can be done either inside or outside of the hull depending on owner preference. Most boat owners agree that mounting the transducer on the outside of the transom is the most preferred method since the transducer is immersed directly in the water and is not affected by hull paints or algae buildup that would affect a transducer mounted inside the boat.
2. Set the shallow water alarm by pushing the "Down" button on the depth finder. Set the alarm depth deep enough to account for draft and propeller depth. Take into account the speed that the boat will be operated and the amount of time it will take to either slow the boat enough or steer it away from shallow depths. For example, when operating a boat with a 3-1/2-foot draft and propeller that is 10 additional inches into the water, you should set the shallow alarm for a minimum of 15 feet with the boat being operated at 20 mph. The shallow alarm can be adjusted further either using the "Up" or "Down" buttons on the unit.
3. Adjust the sensitivity of the depth finder by turning the knob on the back of the unit either counterclockwise or clockwise depending on the desired adjustment. Adjust for less sensitivity if the readings are shallower than a known depth. Adjust for more sensitivity if readings on the depth finder are showing deeper than the actual depth.
4. Test the depth finder in familiar waters to make sure the depth finder is giving readings that are correct, and fine tune the sensitivity of the unit accordingly.
Tags: depth finder, boat owners, draft propeller, sensitivity readings, shallow alarm
