RIB fish/depth sounder

[OBXTucker]

I'd like to add a fish/depth sounder to my Novurania RIB. I'm planning on doing a little fishing from it and also need to keep an eye on water depth.

I don't want to spend a lot of money, but will go with a thru hull transducer as the Novurania's are 2 part sandwhich fg. It'll be out in the elements quite a bit and mounted on the console, so waterproof is a necessity.

Any recommendations?
Thanks!

 

[GJH]

I use a Norcross Hawkeye mini depth sounder with a transom mount transducer on my Whaler. Ran about 90 bucks from Defender. It has an adjustable low water alarm that has come in handy. I had an issue with mine and Norcross has outstanding customer service. They also have some fish finder type units.
I would also consider one of the low end Humminbird fish finders, which are a great value in the 100 dollar range. Our Whaler gets used a lot, and often left at dinghy docks all day , so I wanted something a little more discrete, display wise.
I am not sure I am too hot on the idea of a thru-hull on a sandwiched bottom RIB; have you consulted Novurania?

 

[arimkus]

I've seen a Garmin 440S on a Caribe DL 11 with the transducer in mounted in the hull. The customer is pleased with the unit. I have the same inflatable and this spring will purchase the same unit. There selling around $400 plus $100 for the transducer. The unit is both a GPS and depth sounder split screen. You can probably get it cheaper on Ebay.

Al

 

[StratPlan61]

I have a little Hummingbird w/transom mounted transducer on my bass boat. An excellent unit and very inexpensive. Sometimes less is better. Also have the same unit on my dinghy/Whaler, hard to beat for the $$$

 

[OBXTucker]

Thanks for the recommendations folks. I think I'm just going to go the inexpensive Hummingbirds route. I really don't need the GPS (if I get lost in the rib, I've got big problems!). I'll also go transom mount td which also me to add speed/temp.

Thanks again.

 

[GJH]

Actually, if you ever get to exploring the 10,000 Islands, Shark River and the Everglades NP area in general, a GPS of some kind is very handy, but a hand held can do for that as much as a full blown plotter would be a nice-to-have.

 

[TopHattandTails]

A chartplotter would be essential in the Georgian Bay. Great for finding your way back and marking those huge unchartted boulders a couple inches under the surface. Nothing fancy, but plottable.