We want a device to give a bottom profile of Swansea channel so we can see it shoaling and avoid recent sand buildup and running aground.
Would a Lowrance Elite 3X fishfinder or similar do the job? About 2m minimum depth at times ( we found out the hard way).

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sboardcrazy said..
( we found out the hard way).

Join the club!!
I'd be interested as well

Unrelated to depth sounders, but they are going to dredge it next week.

Removing sand from the shoal will take about a week and should improve boating access prior to and during the busy Christmas holiday period,” Mr MacDonald said. “The NSW Government has engaged local contractor Hunter Wharf and Barge to conduct the work.” “The removal of the sand is planned for mid-December to ensure a wide range of vessels can access the waterway over the holiday season

http://www.scotmacdonald.com.au/press-releases-details.php?nid=344

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sboardcrazy said..
We want a device to give a bottom profile of Swansea channel so we can see it shoaling and avoid recent sand buildup and running aground.
Would a Lowrance Elite 3X fishfinder or similar do the job? About 2m minimum depth at times ( we found out the hard way).

You need a look ahead sonar. Fishfinders display history or what's under you at the moment.

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Ramona said..

sboardcrazy said..
We want a device to give a bottom profile of Swansea channel so we can see it shoaling and avoid recent sand buildup and running aground.
Would a Lowrance Elite 3X fishfinder or similar do the job? About 2m minimum depth at times ( we found out the hard way).

You need a look ahead sonar. Fishfinders display history or what's under you at the moment.

Thanks.I suppose it would also depend on where you mounted them as the keel would get in the way?
I'm so glad they are dredging it again!

A better and cheaper option is a decent pair of Polaroid sunglasses. The water in the channel is nearly always crystal clear, making it easy to follow.

You are much more likely to run aground staring at the sounder instead of simply watching where you are going.

If you are one of those kids addicted to video gaming who will only leave the house to cash in a Dominoes pizza voucher, the sonar might be a realistic option?

DREDGING OF SWANSEA CHANNEL

www.nbnnews.com.au/2015/12/12/dredging-of-swansea-channel-to-begin-next-week/

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surfershaneA said..
A better and cheaper option is a decent pair of Polaroid sunglasses. The water in the channel is nearly always crystal clear, making it easy to follow.

You are much more likely to run aground staring at the sounder instead of simply watching where you are going.

If you are one of those kids addicted to video gaming who will only leave the house to cash in a Dominoes pizza voucher, the sonar might be a realistic option?

Polaroids don't show you how quickly it shoals or the depth- found that out the hard way..In very clear water it's hard to gauge.
Video games what are they?..

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Lazzarae said..
DREDGING OF SWANSEA CHANNEL

www.nbnnews.com.au/2015/12/12/dredging-of-swansea-channel-to-begin-next-week/

Yay!

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sboardcrazy said...

surfershaneA said..
A better and cheaper option is a decent pair of Polaroid sunglasses. The water in the channel is nearly always crystal clear, making it easy to follow.

You are much more likely to run aground staring at the sounder instead of simply watching where you are going.

If you are one of those kids addicted to video gaming who will only leave the house to cash in a Dominoes pizza voucher, the sonar might be a realistic option?

Polaroids don't show you how quickly it shoals or the depth- found that out the hard way..In very clear water it's hard to gauge.
Video games what are they?..

Oh well, good old eyesight has even got me though the maze at the back of Frazer Island.

Admittedly, my classic little boat is less than low technology. It would be good if my sounder was working. A sonar might even be nice for looking for coral heads in reef anchorages up north where you have five meter plus tides?

Not sure either why everyone is so paranoid of Swansea Channel? Only time I have run aground was when I took my eyes off where I was going to throw a bit of abuse at a filthy big powerboat that felt the necessity to cut me off. It sped past and sharply turned across my bow into the bay on the south side of Marks Point. Guess I don't do quite 12 knots either?

If you do buy one of those new Raythmarine units and decide the screen is not big enough, I would be happy to buy it cheap for fishing!

Hey sboardcrazy, have a look at this thread I posted a while back. They sonar costs about $260 and will update Navionics charts (on iPhone or iPad and most likely android) to show you exactly what the bottom looks like.

The images below show what you can do with it. The bay had no depth contours at all. And the reef we went through just showed solid reef on the chart

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/TBox-sonarphone/?page=-2

Please that sells in in Aussie land
www.fishingandboatingstore.com.au/Fish-Finders_c_11.html

@Crusoe,

Little unfair. That would be perfect for day-to-day mapping the flathead/jew holes and drop-offs in and around Swansea Channel!!!!!!

Just be careful with the press announcement that the channel will begin to be dredged in time for the Xmas holidays. Two years ago the same promises were made when I (and others) got stuck in the middle of the navigation channel near the air sea rescue station, when going in on 1.9 mtrs draft. This was the response of the local politician at the time

" The dredging program is running to schedule and has not finished. Crown Lands and Public Works had been working quickly to get a dredge underway before Christmas to improve the condition of the channel for the boating season, however it was not possible, and has never been stated, that the program would be completed before Christmas or New Year. The dredge had been removed from the channel over the New Year period for safety reasons with so many boats using the channel over this period. The dredge went back into the water yesterday and is currently dredging. The dredging started down near the drop over, Elizabeth Island, and is working its way up towards the bridge but is not near it at the moment. We have had a few other complaints from boat users that the dredging program has not been successful and “a waste of money”, we do not believe this to be the case as the program has only just got underway. "

So if it is not dredged in time for Xmas they may again remove the dredge over the holiday period and yachtie beware ! I hope it is completed but suggest checking before you use it!.