Opinion on a tricky situation...

Digital charts are all based on the same data. The accuracy of either type is just bad, a couple of feet if you re lucky, on average.

Yes a sounder will only tell you what's under the boat but if you are careful that is usually enough warning if you are going slow enough. Personally unless I have been thru before I do not run on plane with less than 4' under the wheels Less than 3' and it s idle speed. 2' it s in and out of gear and at 1' it is reverse.

I ve lost count of the number of times on the icw where the bottom came up and and I had to back out and try a different track 30' on either side of a problem spot.

And have you noticed how for many inlets the depths are not charted at all? How can you rely on charts that don't show the depths
 
quote:
Originally posted by gcolton

I guess I am somewhat amazed that so many people put so much value on a depth sounder in real time. Unless you have a forward looking model, all they can do is tell you the conditions directly under you. And by that time it is too late if the ground is too close to the top of the water. Most sounders cannot tell you what the conditions will be 5 seconds from now.

Personally I would trust the digital charts that come with the chart plotter more than I would the paper charts. The digital charts are more likely to be a later survey than the paper charts.

George

George

Click to expand...


+1
 
When I took my boat home I knew the GPS was bad so I borrowed a portable GPS and had the charts and binoculars to spot numbers on buoys.
We found it much easier to use the paper charts and compass.

Not having a dept finder wouldn't stop me.

Crazy all this talk about liability among friends. If that's your concern, you are not really friends, don't do it.
 
Personally I think charts are merely an approximation. Actual depth and position of stuff on charts is always PA
 
"quoted a lot to get it fixed"??? If the guy can afford to buy/run a 40 ft Sea Ray, He's going to go cheap and not fix a broken piece of equipment? Inconsistent!
 
For <$120 he could get a cheap basic digital depth finder display and transducer which could be installed as shoot-thru in a plastic bag of water in the bilge .( well,... that might not be the case if that 40' Sea ray hull is cored as other SR hulls are.)

All things considered , you have made your feelings on the matter clear to your friend , so as long as you take sufficient safety equipment for your potential needs, (and perhaps a few Nerf footballs??) it is after all his boat and his responsibility for any damage incurred no matter who is running the boat at the time of any incident.

That said, this trip is not involving shoals just of sand or mud, we are talking granite here I believe, with nooo forgiveness.And not likely crystal clear water column.
That is a huge difference from relatively softer conditions other posters have described above where they would feel more lackadaisical about having a working DF.

So I expect under similar circumstances most of us ( obviously not all) would think of a working depth finder as basic semi-required equipment on our own boats to complement the mix of other customary "tools" at hand for safest navigation. Could we make such a trrip w/o a DF? Sure in most cases, but with more stomach acid production to enjoy in tricky areas. More information of this type is simply better.
 
quote:
Originally posted by gcolton

I guess I am somewhat amazed that so many people put so much value on a depth sounder in real time. Unless you have a forward looking model, all they can do is tell you the conditions directly under you. And by that time it is too late if the ground is too close to the top of the water. Most sounders cannot tell you what the conditions will be 5 seconds from now.

Personally I would trust the digital charts that come with the chart plotter more than I would the paper charts. The digital charts are more likely to be a later survey than the paper charts.

George

George

Click to expand...


George,
Why use a pair of pliers to remove a nut as opposed to a box wrench? Point is, a depth finder is a cheap tool. In my 30+ years of boating, and boating in unfamiliar territories, certainly did not suck knowing my depth.
 
OP said route was well marked. I would do the trip without the sounder. If you stay in the channels and use the GPS you are going to be fine IMHO.
 
You don’t need need no stupid depth finder , just go for it
Regards,
SeaTow
 
quote:
Originally posted by pdecat

You don’t need need no stupid depth finder , just go for it
Regards,
SeaTow

Click to expand...


3 year old thread
 
The old adage applies: There are two types of sailers;"Those that have run aground and those that are going to."
 
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