Sailboat depth transducer - useful?

[searoom]

For longer range sailing into unfamiliar waters the depth sensor is nice to have. Good to use as reference against depth soundings off the chart.
Safe navigation with just depth and a good radar unit.
A water temp sensor will let you find the Gulf Stream!

[Wckoek]

Thanks for all the comments, my boat is 28' and draw a little less than 5' of water.
I think I will install a transducer nonetheless.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by searoom

A water temp sensor will let you find the Gulf Stream!

It doesn't for me. And we don't know where the OP is sailing so that 's a huge assumption.

[wingssail]

I think a depth sounder (needs transducer) is an essential instrument. It is the most important one the boat (next is GPS, next after that is AIS, in my opinion). We have three depth sounders and they are all pinging away whenever we leave the dock. We set alarms for shallow water while underway, and shallow and deep water while anchored.

We have made some mistakes of judgement over the years and touched the bottom trying to get over a skinny patch, but never hit ground that we didn't know was there.

We also have a new spare unit.

[boat driver]

Originally Posted by Wckoek

Most of the boats I been to and sail didn't have underwater transducer, I think it might not be a necessity.
How many of you have transducer installed in your boat?
Would you find it useful or even necessary?

oldest form of navigation is depth checking.
not sure what experts have influenced you.
your call

[Scorpius]

Originally Posted by Wckoek

Thanks for all the comments, my boat is 28' and draw a little less than 5' of water.
I think I will install a transducer nonetheless.

Excellent decision!

[David B]

Originally Posted by Wckoek

Most of the boats I been to and sail didn't have underwater transducer, I think it might not be a necessity.
How many of you have transducer installed in your boat?
Would you find it useful or even necessary?

In a small boat that you can push off - not needed.
In a decent sized yacht - absolute essential (unless you want to go back to the days of using a lead line).

Along with our plotter, the depth sounder would be the number one navigation tool.

[David B]

Originally Posted by wingssail

I think a depth sounder (needs transducer) is an essential instrument. It is the most important one the boat (next is GPS, next after that is AIS, in my opinion). We have three depth sounders and they are all pinging away whenever we leave the dock. We set alarms for shallow water while underway, and shallow and deep water while anchored.

We have made some mistakes of judgement over the years and touched the bottom trying to get over a skinny patch, but never hit ground that we didn't know was there.

We also have a new spare unit.

Interesting. Where do you have the three transducers located?

[Knotical]

You made a wise choice - if I can have only one instrument on board it will be a depth transducer.

[CapnBazza]

Originally Posted by Wckoek

Most of the boats I been to and sail didn't have underwater transducer, I think it might not be a necessity.
How many of you have transducer installed in your boat?
Would you find it useful or even necessary?

Not one but two.

[CapnBazza]

Originally Posted by searoom

For longer range sailing into unfamiliar waters the depth sensor is nice to have. Good to use as reference against depth soundings off the chart.
Safe navigation with just depth and a good radar unit.
A water temp sensor will let you find the Gulf Stream!

I have a water temperature sensor but have not yet found the Gulf Stream.

[Dreamcatcher34]

I assume you have tides where you sail , if so some form of depth sounder is essential. You can sail along the shore quite safely and yet on another day/time be in danger of hitting some form of underwater obstruction -not rocks but say redundant blocks of concrete or suchlike. While a depth sounder won’t prevent you hitting these random blocks you will at least know if crossing a bay such upstanding obstructions might cause a bump if a passing wave lifts you up and down. A wave height of say3ft is nothing but makes a big difference in shallow water and bouncing on top of a hidden block can be alarming even if you carry on sailing and don’t go aground. Admittedly it tends to happen racing inshore but leads to inspection costs far greater than a simple transducer.

[SaltyMetals]

As essential as cool beers in the fridge !

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by SaltyMetals

As essential as cool beers in the fridge !

There are some things that are non-negotiable .

[conchaway]

I think that knowing the "depth beneath your keel" is of little value. You need to know the depth a little ways AHEAD of your keel.
Here's the simple way: 1.Tie a sinker to the end of a line on a fishing rod. 2. Attach a bobber at "x" feet up the line (whatever depth you select as a minimum). Have someone on the bow cast out ahead of the boat. 3. If the bobber goes under, you have plenty water.