RANGER 25SC KEEL OFFSET?

[Steadfast]

Having a problem with Keel Offset......I believe it's a setting that you can change under MY BOAT and alarm settings???


I'm not sure what the minimum depth should be for my boat. The Keel Offset takes into account the number of feet? that the sensor is located beneath the water line?


I asked my dealer about it and he wasn't sure if it should be set for +3 feet or - 3 feet?????



Any suggestions.......Also my depth gauge (GARMIN) always seems to be way off.....is there a way that it can be simply calibrated? I think I'm going to have the boat out of the water this week to do replace the prop.....is that a good time to check out the depth sensor. No comments about the prop, please! LOL!

Thank you

Thank you

 

[knotflying]

Go into shallow water. Get a line with a small weight tied to it and lower that down until it stops. Now bend down and pinch the line at the water level and mark it. Then measure how long it is. This will give you actual depth of water.
Now go to you keel offset screen.
Do you want actual water depth? Set keel offset so you get actual water depth.
Do you want water below keel? Do some math and subtract what you draw from actual depth. Set Keel offset to get water below keel. As example if the water is 6 feet and you draw 2’-6”” then you want the depth to read 3’-6”.
I prefer actual water depth and do my math mentally. I know to deduct 3 feet from whatever my depth sounder reads and know I am okay.
Set your alarm to a depth that you will feel comfortable with so you can take corrective action. In Florida cruising I use a 4 foot alarm. In the PNW I would use 15 feet. There is sure a lot of rocks that are higher than what you may be reading on the sounder.

 

[Steadfast]

Should I know what my draw is?

 

[SGIDAVE]

Should I know what my draw is?

Yes and YES.

I do like Mike.... Adjust offset to obtain actual water depth. My 21EC draws approx 18", so when Mr Garmin says 2', I know I am very close to touching bottom.

If you don't know your draft now you will after grounding the boat a couple times. [emoji16]

Know your boat. Well.

dave

 

[JamesTXSD]

Should I know what my draw is?

Absolutely. As you use shallow ramps or poke around in shallow areas, knowing your actual draft is VERY important. You should also know the "air draft" (height of your boat on the water antenna up/down, and the height of the boat on the trailer)... for going under any overhead obstructions.

 

[Steadfast]

So the draw on all 25 SC is about the same? Any answers? Is 2 feet a safe assumption?

 

[knotflying]

It is actually 2'-2". Then add all your equipment etc. Figure 2'-6" and you will be fine.

 

[capnlmk]

Take it from an Old Sailor: "If your DRAFT exceeds the DEPTH, you are most assuredly aground."
P.S. Set the keel offset so you don't have to do ANY math in a pinch. What you want to know is how much water is UNDER your keel.

 

[knotflying]

If you do as Capnlmk says, just remember to add the draft when figuring scope when anchoring.

 

[capnlmk]

Good point, Knotflying.
One way or the other, you've got to do some math...
😀