We just moved boat from lake to Kemah , Tx and shallow water. I am trying to check the depth settings . I am confused about the offset to use . Can anybody help on that . I have the 4.5 foot wing keel.
it seems you would have to know distance from transducer to bottom of keel to be accurate, and from transducer to waterline to have accurate waterline reading . Help please !
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Superdave501
Catalina Mk II 36 No. 2211
Correct, When I upgraded to the ST60 instruments I took these measurements with the boat on the hard to get the offset. It will depend on the transducer location so another boats offset might not match yours.
Gary Smith
93 MK I, Hull #1231
Std rig; wing keel
M35A Oberdorfer conversion
You could also use a lead line to measure depth and calculate the offset
Gary Smith
93 MK I, Hull #1231
Std rig; wing keel
M35A Oberdorfer conversion
Got it figured out by backing into the offset using known depth. Took a 1 foot offset positive to give me waterline. My main problem was getting the alarms to stop. The i struction book leaves a lot to desired . Thanks for the help !
Superdave501
Catalina Mk II 36 No. 2211
Got it figured out by backing into the offset using known depth. Took a 1 foot offset positive to give me waterline. My main problem was getting the alarms to stop. The i struction book leaves a lot to desired . Thanks for the help !
Superdave501
Catalina Mk II 36 No. 2211
To set my depth meter I stood on my swim platform at my dock at low tide, using a piece of pipe I measured the depth from the bottom of the water to the top of the water, in line with the center line of the sailboat. Then I set my depth gauge to the water line. That was a few years ago. Since then I hit the bottom two times and each time my gauge read 4.5 feet. I have gone over sand bars at 5 or 6 feet and never hit the bottom so it must be accurate.
Where I sail in Charlotte Harbor we have a hard sandy bottom, however I have been in Aligator Bay in the Everglades which has an extremely soft muddy bottom and I had false readings. If you are going to use my method of setting your depth gauge I suggest it be done on a hard bottom for accuracy.
__/)__/)__/)__Capt Mike__/)__/)__/)__
Punta Gorda Florida
1990 Std WK M35 Hull #1050
I have done pretty much the same as Mike. I set it to actual water depth and easily make the calculation of how much water is under the keel. My 1999 is a little heavier than specs and in fresh water which is less buoyant so I think the actual depth of my wing is at least several inches deeper than 4.5 feet.
Gene Foraker
Sandusky Yacht Club
Sandusky, OH
1999 C36 #1786
Gypsy Wagon
Dave,
Wouldn't you want to make your offset -3.5' to read depth below the keel? I know the math isn't difficult, but why have any when you have the ability to make the offset anything you want?
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
Ok, I will bite. Why does one want water depth versus water under the keel?
Rob Kibler
s/v "Meander"
2003 C36 MKII #2124
[quote=rkibler]Ok, I will bite. Why does one want water depth versus water under the keel?[/quote]
Yes, just personal preference and habit. I used to be at a very shallow marina and the sailors would compare observations of water depth. I got into the habit of knowing at a glance the water depth. It also is easier to calculate how much anchor line to let out for a given depth. Simple enough to do either way you do it, but also a bit less explanation to the crew.
Gene Foraker
Sandusky Yacht Club
Sandusky, OH
1999 C36 #1786
Gypsy Wagon
Thank You
Rob Kibler
s/v "Meander"
2003 C36 MKII #2124
There is no reason and simply a matter of personal preference. Whether it's 4.5 or zero you'll still run aground! :)
2000 C36 MKII 1825