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Gauging the depth of the sea is an essential aspect of sailing, and if you do not have it, then the whole experience can easily be ruined. You will be left worrying about safety as it is dangerous to sail without knowing the depth, but our article will help you find the best depth finder for the sailboat.
However, on the internet, you will find a lot of fish finders instead because both incorporate sonar. In addition to sonar, the depth finders are equipped with GPS and WIFI to ensure your safety which the fishfinders also have, but they do not come with precision. So, long story short, if you want the best precision, a depth finder is your best choice.
But the critical question is, which is the best depth finder for sailboat? Given the numerous options in the market.
Therefore, we have gathered a list of the 5 best depth finders. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to pick the best depth finder for sailboat with great ease.
Product Image | Product Name | Key Features | Star Rating | Buy Now |
HawkEye DepthTrax 1B Finder For Sailboat |
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Garmin Striker 4 Transducer |
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Faria 13751 Chesapeake Black Depth Sounder |
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Lucky Kayak Portable Fish Depth Finder |
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Check Price & Reviews | |
HawkEye DT1H Handheld Depth Finder |
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Check Price & Reviews |
1. HawkEye DepthTrax 1B Finder For Sailboat
Features
Accuracy
The HawkEye DepthTrax 1B is very accurate. They are made to provide the most precise reading ranging from 2.5 feet to 200 feet, even at the speed of 60 mph. It even allows you to take a depth reading through fiberglass hulls via its Shoot-Thru sonar technology, making it the best depth finder for sailboat.
Display
It comes with a glare-free display that makes it easier for everyone to use. The device can be used with or without sunglasses as it has a storage sun cover. The HawkEye DepthTrax 1B also has a transom mount and glue-in-hull transducer to make it user-friendly. Furthermore, it has a backlight to aid the users in taking readings during the dark.
Safety Warnings
The HawkEyes has a safety warning feature that alerts the user whenever they are about to enter the shallow waters so that you can easily sail without knocking your boat on the ground. The device can operate for individual boats, too, with the keel offset function.
Pros
- Durable and waterproof
- User-friendly
- It comes with a 2-year warranty
- Lets you set a depth limit and alarms you when you hit that limit
- Glare-free display
Cons
- Can give an inaccurate reading in the presence of a nearby object.
2. Garmin Striker 4 Transducer
Features
Dual Functionality
The Garmin striker 4 transducer is not only one of the best depth finder for sailboats, but it also works as a fish finder. Apart from that, this device even offers the option of omitting a transducer because of the built-in HD-ID sonar.
Display
The device can take readings up to 2300 feet due to its 4000 watt power. It comes with buttons on the interface, making it easy to use. The large 5- inch colored display helps take the reading even when the sun is glaring right above you.
Navigation
The device contains a sweep sonar technology that displays the depth and shows the contours of the bottom, including any object underneath. The high-sensitivity GPS can help you get back to a marked location via waypoint map features that enable you to pinpoint locations.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Has temperature readings
- Waterproof and quite durable
- Alarm system for shallow water alerts
- It comes with a fishing option
Cons
- It can get too complicated because of the amount of information offered
3. Faria 13751 Chesapeake Black Depth Sounder
Features
Fitting
The Faria depth sounder can be mounted with relative ease using its in-hull or transom mount transducer. The device can take depth readings from 3 feet to 199 feet, adjusted using the programmed keel offset function.
Alarm System
Faria depth sounder contains both visual and audible alarms to warn users when they are about to enter shallow waters or deep waters. So that necessary action can be taken. It is also user-friendly and easy to install the device. The options for shallow and deep water can be easily programmed with buttons on the interface.
Design
The device is made to elevate the look of your boat with its black series, which has a sleek perimeter-lighted dial together with trendy blue and white graphics. Furthermore, the Faria depth sounder comes with a stainless steel bezel, a domed glass lens along a contoured white pointer.
Pros
- It has a fantastic display
- Easily mountable
- User-friendly
- It has accurate readings
- It can be fitted anywhere
Cons
- Comes with a short transducer cord.
Handheld Depth Finders
4. Lucky Kayak Portable Fish Depth Finder
Features
Colored Display
The Lucky Kayak is a multi-purpose device that works as both a depth and a fish finder. It comes with a colored and clear display that also shows the contours of objects underwater, along with its sensitivity feature that lets you choose clearer and more professional image results. The Kayak fish finder feature can easily detect the temperature and altitudes underwater.
Alarm System
The device has an alarm system that notifies you whenever you hit shallow waters. It also has a changeable setting that lets you change the units and language as per your ease.
Portable Charger
The Lucky kayak depth finder can last up to 5 hours without charging. It has a portable charging USB cable along with adjustable brightness. The device has numerous modes, along with a bracket that can be easily attached to your ship or kayak.
Pros
- Best displays
- Different modes
- Offers depth and temperature reading
- Easy to mount
Cons
- Most features are related to the fish finder functions.
- Not user friendly for users whose primary aim is depth readings
5. HawkEye DT1H Handheld Depth Finder
Features
Accuracy
The HawkEye DT1H is a handheld depth finder with an accurate depth measuring feature that can gauge depth from 1.5 to 200 feet. The equipment is waterproof till 200 feet. The readings are constantly updated with the HawkEye DeepThrax sonar feature that emits pulses four times per second with a beam angle of 14 degrees.
Durability
The Hawkeye DT1H is made with ABS plastic designed in such a way, making it almost unbreakable with the help of inductive switching technology. It features several magnets to manage user commands and successfully omits to switch holes, with its unique design.
Versatility
The device can read both water and air temperature in your desired units. It also has a Softglow backlight LCD for an overall anti-glare effect coupled with an incorporated lanyard and a dot-matrix dual display frequency. It has a smart sonar water depth detection feature, making us think that this is one of the best depth finders for a sailboat.
Pros
- It has two transducers
- Easy to install and operate
- It is waterproof and has a very durable structure
- The readings are accurate and precise
Cons
- Cannot take accurate readings in muddy waters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the easiest depth finder to use?
All the depth finders are generally easy to use. However, the HawkEye DeepTrax 1H is the easiest to use because it is handy and has a rigid plastic body with easy-to-understand features.
2. Is a depth finder the same as a fish finder?
A depth finder and a fish finder are not the same devices. However, both use the same sonar technology and transducers to produce graphic images. Hence why, often, people confuse them to be the same.
3. Which is better, Garmin or Lowrance?
Both the brands are excellent in their capacity. But Lowrance is better for people with a lower price budget, whereas Garmin has a higher price point but a better GPS finder and a more stylish design.
4. Do you need a depth finder on a boat?
Yes! They are a mandatory accessory when it pertains to sailing for safety reasons. This navigation tool will prevent you from being stuck in shallow waters. Moreover, they will help you identify any structure or object in the water.
Buying Guide – How To Choose The Best Depth Finder For Sailboat
If you love sailing or have a job that requires you to sail a lot, you must buy the best depth finders for your sailboats. But before making a purchase, do keep these factors in mind.
Transducers
Transducers are essential to any depth finder. They emit waves that bounce off against any object in the water. In addition to that, they send and receive sonar waves which are picked up by the transducers. Transducers have different mounts; the bigger the boat, the bigger the mount will be.
Transducer Materials
The material of the transducers depends on the kind of boat a person has. If a person sails for fun, he can have a simple plastic transom mount.
However, the best transducer materials for housing are bronze for boats with wood or fibreglass. In contrast, stainless steel or aluminum housing is for steel, and transducers with full in-hull mount require plastic housing.
Beams and Cone Angles
The cones’ angles show the width of the ray emitted from the boat to the water. It is an essential aspect to consider when making a purchase. A wider cone denotes that a person will cover a wider area. The cone angle expands once the beams move lower, indicating that it will lose sensitivity in deep waters.
Comfort and Usability
Before buying a tech device, it is essential to understand that device because many times, people are unable to grasp the features of a device. One should look for depth finders with simplified features based on your tech capabilities to understand the readings.
Colored Displays
Nowadays, most of the devices come with a colored display. They make it easier to understand the information being given by your transducer. It will broaden your vision and help you see what is going on.
On the other hand, a black and white display is difficult to decipher, especially in direct sunlight. They are also incomprehensible in cloudy weather, making the colored screen a must-have feature in your search for the best depth finders for sailboats.
Final Verdict
Depth finders will take your sailing game up a notch. They elevate the overall sailing experience and aid in safety precautions. Initially, it can seem a bit pricey, but once you start using them, you will see the numerous benefits they offer. We hope this article helps you find the best depth finder for your sailboat.