Depth Finder Question

[AbunDiga909]

I went on to a new lake yesterday with some friends and had a great time. But, there was a serious milfoil problem in the lake. The whole launch area was 2-5 feet and covered with layers and layers of milfoil that I can see come up to the surface. Yet the depth guage still read 5-9 ft. The depth guage works using sonar, right? I dunno... But do you think it reads the solid bottom of the lake or the top of the weeds?

[TwinTip]

RE: Depth Finder Question

I would think that you need a more solid surface for the waves to bounce back so you were probably getting the reading from the bottom of the lake and not the top of the weeds. Then again, would a wave bounce back from an area with a heavy concentration of weeds????

On the depth finder you also have an option for the keel offset. I don't know if you are able to get a possitive setting (to measure the water-line for example which will be above the transducer), I have a negative setting to clear the prop and fins. If this number is varied, it will give you a reading with an offset. At a negative number you will subtract the setting from the overall measurement, at a positive number (if you can do this since I did not try it) should add it. Check the keel offset setting to see if you have to compensate for the reading you are getting.

[Alan-S]

RE: Depth Finder Question

What does it mean when your depth guage reads -.- ft or 1.2 ft 95% of the time. Does not matter what lake i am on or how deep it is. It used to work great but is is getting worse every week. I don't think I got any readings yesterday at all.

[TwinTip]

RE: Depth Finder Question

If you power your boat (ignition indicator on) while on the trailer, you will see that the depth gauge shows ---- lines. I think this is due to there not being any signal bouncing back to the transducer. Assuming you are in the water, your transducer may not be working properly.

From the manual:

"When there are no alarm conditions, the water depth is displayed.
If the signal is weak or lost, or there is no transducer connected, the
display will alternate between the last known depth and three
horizontal bars."

[OldFart]

RE: Depth Finder Question

Alan, what year is your boat? i have heard of df getting stuck @ 1.5, which sounds close enough. OF