Use of multiple depth instruments
When the sailboat was laying in Florida, I used the change of ordering equipment from Ebay. When you live in Norway that is often a problem, and the postage cost often more than what you pay for the goods. But I was maybe too eager, so I first bought a Hawkeye depth instrument, and later another Hawkeye with air and water temperature sensor, and finely the Raymarine ST60+ package with three instruments in one package.
So now I have three depth instruments. I could try to sell the two Hawkeye instruments, but then I thought maybe I could use all three.
I think the transducer are sending a bean that has about 30 degree opening angle, so if the instruments should be used at the same time they must be mounted, so only one will give reflection at the same time. My plan is to use one in the front as sonar with maybe a 20-30 degree angle forward. Then the other two will be placed on each side with a 10-15 degrees angle outwards. Then there should be minimum interference and I will get good depth readings even at more then 20 degrees bank to both sides. Where I will be sailing we have a lot of steep underwater cliffs that shoot strait up hundreds of feet. Many come over the waterline, but also many stops just below the waterline.
I have never been in a boat with more then one depth instrument, so I do not know if this is a good idea, and also it would be nice to get some feedback on what angle I should use for best result and minimum interference between them. The two Hawkeye instruments will be stand alone instruments with no communication with the rest. It is only the Raymarine that will be connected to the other Raymarine instruments. Also I hate to drill holes in the hull, so all three transducers will be mounted at the inside of the hull. I know I will not get good water temperature reading this way, but maybe I could put some isolation on the place where it is mounted, so it will get almost the same temperature as the water. It will take a long time to detect any change in water temperature, but that might be a compromise I can accept.