Dead Datamarine Depth Sounder

[adt2]

Our new-to-us 1983 61 CPMY has a non-functional Datamarine Depth Sounder at the lower helm station. We currently have ZERO capability to see our current depth, other than whatever Navionics shows on our iPads. This makes us both fairly nervous.

I stopped by the local marine electronics house the other day and asked a few questions. I left with my head spinning, lol. Summary of their answers: the Datamarine unit is toast, and the transducer it used operates on a funky wavelength that no other depth sounder unit will be able to use. Short of hauling the boat and installing a new transducer and head unit, we're out of luck.

Except: He also said the Furuno system aboard *should* have a large transducer somewhere that reads depth data; I just need to locate it and see what/where it's plugged into. He had a couple of pieces of pre-owned Furuno gear on the shelves, and he let me photograph a couple of these big transducer pieces for reference when I get back to the boat.

So my questions are: does that pass the smell test? Does the Furuno system (which I thought was for radar) actually also read and display depth somewhere? If so, any thoughts on how I make that work? And anyone with a similar-vintage boat - where would be the best place to look for the transducer box? The ones he showed me were fairly large boxes - 8" square or larger, and several inches thick, with multiple cable connections - so I'm hoping they won't be too hard to spot.

Thanks (again) for your input!

 

[firbanks]

Definitely look for a transducer in your bilges but don’t assume that a previous owner put a new transducer in when updating electronics. Airmar is the actual manufacturer of a huge percentage of the transducer market and they just make model numbers for the various plotter companies (Garmin, Simrad, Furuno, etc.). If you want to avoid a haul-out but still be able to track bottom depth they have “in-hull” transducers that don’t go through the fiberglass. They range from over the top to very simple, just like thru-hull transducers do. A simple in-hull is a good option if you are just looking for depth-sensing while piloting in shallow water. For charting bottom structure for diving spots or for spotting fish, put a nice thru-hull in the proper frequency range and power to support your needs as part of next haul-out.

 

[firbanks]

https://www.airmar.com/Catalog/Marine/Chirp-ready/In-hull

 

[Sadey]

I have two, one I know is working and the other is from a forum member who said it was working. If it’s a gauge issue, I’d be happy to send the spare head unit to you. Our transducer was under the hatch on the port side vip state. There was another one under the starboard side hatch in front of the laundry machine at the back of the stairs. Can’t remember which was for the datamarine.

 

[Pascal]

The furunos most likely need a Black box to control the transducer and send the output to the display. You need to figure out which model you have and get the manual online to see how things are connected. There has been a few times evolutions of Navnet, Navnet 3D etc over the years

 

[jim rosenthal]

It might be worth a call to a Furuno dealer- I think once you have the Furuno backbone in place, if you do, adding a simple depth transducer which shoots through the hull might not be too complicated.

If you find a transducer which is still functional, you may be able to find a display which will work with it as a temporary solution. Datamarine has been out of business for a long time, but as noted, all the transducers are made by Airmar and they are helpful on the phone.

 

[steve c]

I replaced my Datamarine display with an Sitex SD-110 display. The 120khx display and transducers are still available new on Ebay.

 

[Bob Quinn]

If you are looking for a real temporary fix they sell some units with a floating ball that hook into your cell phone. I don't recall the name but I think around $100.
Might work as a quick temp fix if you need something in a hurry.
Might be called phone sonar....

 

[Pascal]

They re used for fishing from small boats, won’t work when moving even slowly

I out a cheap Faria sounder on my 53 with shoot thru xducer. Works well

https://a.co/d/iURE0Yg

 

[Boatsb]

Datamarine is long gone. Their technology had no value to other manufacturers so its a dead end.

All the current equipment far outperform the old stuff like the datamarine.

Nothing is forever in electronics. Upgrade to current gear and step into the 20th century. Or put in a nice full package and welcome to the 21st.

I sell systems all the time . FLIR cameras with overlays on radar and AIS. Fully integrated autopilot. Sonar from basic depth to 3D and forward looking. Each serves a purpose. Just the basics far outperform the old stuff.

If you plan on using the boat as more than a condo you need to look at the newer technologies

 

[jim rosenthal]

look on the web site for Bacon Sails in Annapolis, I think they have a Datamarine head in inventory, probably cheap, might help you with your problem.

 

[adt2]

Thanks to all of you for the replies. We're heading back to the boat next week - I'll do some more digging to find out exactly what we already have and what may or may not be working.

 

[Pascal]

You could also try Max Electronics in Pompanno beach FL. They specialized in used and refurbished/tested electronics.

 

[brettportzer]

http://www.dmimarine.com/

?

 

[metama]

I have 1-2 readers.
Yes the Datamarine work on a frequency no other modern systems read.

Let me know if you want them.

Most of the time those are install in the engine bilge.

Phil