Garmine Depth Finder Problems

[Timothy]

My 2014 R-31 looses the bottom on plane at 16 knots. Any body else experiencing this problem?
In the Fish Finder mode you can see it loosing the bottom as the speed increase on plane. I believe the problem is caused by turbulence from the Raw Water Intake located 4 feet forward of the factory installed Transducer. This problem has existed from the beginning. Anybody have a solution? Tim

 

[nzfisher]

I don't think I have ever been on a boat, even pricey Bertram's set up for fishing, where the sounder has returned reliable data to the screen at that speed. Maybe they could hold the bottom but not much else. Maybe others have had different experiences but when we "find" a reflection that shows a different density than the water around it when traveling, we have always had to circle back through it at a slower speed to get a reasonable picture or history on the screen showing what might be going on. Anyone else have differing experiences?

 

[knotflying]

Have you checked to make sure that the fluid (RV antifreeze) in the transducer canister is at the appropriate level. Perhaps on plane it is losing contact.

 

[Tugbuyer]

Tim:
I experience the exact same condition on my R-29 at speed. After slow-down, it picks up the sounder/signal again, but will continue to lose bottom signal once planing speed is achieved. The problem (if in fact, a problem) seems to be most prevalent as water depth increases, which may not be surprising.

Dan

 

[Pilotnavigator]

If you get air under the hull at the transducer position the sounder will not work.

 

[coreychamness]

I have not experienced this problem on our R-31 at any speed.

Corey

 

[LADYBUG TOO]

We just ran 20 miles today, most at 10 to 12 MPH (Yep miles per hour. I set my Garmin 5215 to report GPS speed in MPH). We did not lose bottom lock the whole way. We were behind a Tug pushing a barge and we did pick up his entrained air but still had bottom info. Depths are 40 ft. or less so that might be why it works for us. Try adjusting the gain manually. Touch menu on the sonar screen and I think the option is there. There are some other "threads" on this same topic. Might want to check them out. Good luck!

Pat
Ladybug, Too

 

[Timothy]

Problem has been solved by following the instructions of the manufacturer of the transducer Airmark. They stated the transducer should have been located forward of the raw water intake. A small rectangle was cut out of the inside liner at the forward end of the engine room. An Airmark transom transducer was siliconed in and presto the system works perfectly. It should have been possible to relocate the P79 transducer but it would have necessitated make a larger hole in the liner.

 

[Irish Mist]

Interesting I had mine flash a bit at high speed or freeze, and now it's ok I wonder if possibly maybe a bit of something caught in the pick up and caused bubbles .. Was fine before and is fine now.. Glad you found the problem , for you and everyone

 

[coreychamness]

That is great news. Glad you were finally able to resolve the problem with the transducer. Have you headed over to the Bahamas yet? Our R-31 is still frozen in DC.

Corey