12 Meter Express -Dart datamarine depth finder

This forum is for comments and the exchange of information relating to Trojan Boats and boating. Please do not post used parts or boats For Sale in this area. For general, non-boating topics please use our "General Discussions" section.

Note: Negative or inflammatory postings will not be tolerated.

Moderators: BeaconMarineBob, Moderator, BeaconMarineDon

User avatar
tcollins2
2024 Forum Support
2024 Forum Support
Posts: 169
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2015 1:25 pm
Location: Huntington, NY

12 Meter Express -Dart datamarine depth finder

Post by tcollins2 »

Yesterday, my depthfinder started acting up and now just shows - - - across the display. if I use the other functions like the alarm the display works fine. I took it out of the dash and all the connections were fine, no loose wires. Going to the other end I started looking for where the transducer was. I don't recall exactly where it was on the hull but it was starboard side about 24 inches out from the keel. I'm assuming that these were factory installed since I understand they didn't core the hull in the area where there would be a thru hull fitting. I opened up various hatches and looked around but I can't find it. I'm getting nervous that it might be under the holding tank. It's too cold to go swimming to get a good measurement. Anyone have any experience locating and changing out the transducer or installing a new one?
dart.jpg
dart.jpg (11.72 KiB) Viewed 9873 times
1990 Trojan 12M International Express Detroit Diesels 6-71T's, 425HP
User avatar
Liberdade
Registered user
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2016 10:06 am
Location: Lake Hartwell, Georgia

Re: 12 Meter Express -Dart datamarine depth finder

Post by Liberdade »

On my 11 Meter Express, the transducer is near the mid bilge pump. As you said, it is about 24" starboard of center (from my memory). I had mine changed out when I upgraded the original depth finder.
1987 Trojan 11 Meter Express
User avatar
tcollins2
2024 Forum Support
2024 Forum Support
Posts: 169
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2015 1:25 pm
Location: Huntington, NY

Re: 12 Meter Express -Dart datamarine depth finder

Post by tcollins2 »

Contacted www.dmimarine.com. They are extremely helpful. The unit I have is multifunction depth, speed, water temp, log but depth is one transducer and speed and water temp is another transducer--two holes. I just have the depth functionality transducer. Either way I need to find and probably cut a hole in the floor to get access to the transducer. Most likely the transducer is bad so I'm in for a few hundred. Or I go for a few more hundred and get a chartplotter with a multifunction transducer. Not a fan of making another hole in the hull for the added functionality of the Dart unit. Reuse the hole and fairing block if I go new.

There was another scenario where the "brain" under the dash may not be working either. All can be repaired but, do I want to sink money in to a 25+ year old device? The current large display takes up some real estate on my dash just for a depth reading. Decisions...
1990 Trojan 12M International Express Detroit Diesels 6-71T's, 425HP
User avatar
RWS
Ultimate User
Posts: 2857
Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2006 7:01 am
Location: West Coast Florida
Contact:

Re: 12 Meter Express -Dart datamarine depth finder

Post by RWS »

best not to throw good $$$ after bad.

The only issue will be changing out the 'ducer

When is your next haulout scheduled?

Otherwise, can you a new chartplotter where you can have a transom mounted transducer that can later (when you do your next haulout) be changed over to a through hull?

RWS
1983 10 Meter SOLD after 21 years of adventures
Yanmar diesels
Solid Glass Hull
Woodless Stringers
Full Hull Liner
Survived Andrew Cat 5,Eye of Charley Cat 4, & Irma Cat 2
Trojan International Website: http://trojanboat.com/

WEBSITE & SITELOCK TOTALLY SELF FUNDED
User avatar
tcollins2
2024 Forum Support
2024 Forum Support
Posts: 169
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2015 1:25 pm
Location: Huntington, NY

Re: 12 Meter Express -Dart datamarine depth finder

Post by tcollins2 »

With the heat wave we had, no problem diving under the boat to find the transducer. No wonder I couldn't find it, it's under neath the starboard motor. The second transducer for speed and temperature is under the port motor. It has a pin in it and at one time I guess you can pull the unit out to service it. I have never had one of these transducers with a paddle wheel. I'm beginning to think spending anytime salvaging this system is a waste of time. The boat had gas motors in it originally, so when they switched to detroit diesels, servicing these transducers wasn't an issue. Any 12M owners have a good location for a new transducer?
Attachments
DepthTransducer1.jpg
DepthTransducer1.jpg (71.64 KiB) Viewed 9754 times
SpeedTempTransducer1.jpg
SpeedTempTransducer1.jpg (46.34 KiB) Viewed 9754 times
1990 Trojan 12M International Express Detroit Diesels 6-71T's, 425HP
User avatar
El L Sea
2024 Gold Support
2024 Gold Support
Posts: 179
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2015 8:27 am
Location: Fort Myers, FL

Re: 12 Meter Express -Dart datamarine depth finder

Post by El L Sea »

Ours sit in the center bilge near the A/C and generator thru hulls. On the 1988 12m Sedan, that section of hull is solid glass.
El L Sea
Fort Myers, FL
1988 Trojan 12m International Sport Fisherman
2017 Boston Whaler 130 Tender w/ 40HP Mercury
User avatar
tcollins2
2024 Forum Support
2024 Forum Support
Posts: 169
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2015 1:25 pm
Location: Huntington, NY

Re: 12 Meter Express -Dart datamarine depth finder

Post by tcollins2 »

Thanks! You read my mind. (is that one of the locations that is not cored?)
1990 Trojan 12M International Express Detroit Diesels 6-71T's, 425HP
User avatar
El L Sea
2024 Gold Support
2024 Gold Support
Posts: 179
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2015 8:27 am
Location: Fort Myers, FL

Re: 12 Meter Express -Dart datamarine depth finder

Post by El L Sea »

tcollins2 wrote: Mon Jul 02, 2018 3:00 pm Thanks! You read my mind. (is that one of the locations that is not cored?)
That is correct.
El L Sea
Fort Myers, FL
1988 Trojan 12m International Sport Fisherman
2017 Boston Whaler 130 Tender w/ 40HP Mercury
User avatar
Doc Holiday
Registered user
Posts: 16
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2016 9:07 pm

Re: 12 Meter Express -Dart datamarine depth finder

Post by Doc Holiday »

20180524_111458_1527174907035.jpeg
20180524_111458_1527174907035.jpeg (405.56 KiB) Viewed 9709 times
20180502_104532_resized.jpg
20180502_104532_resized.jpg (361.04 KiB) Viewed 9709 times
20180706_230441.jpg
20180706_230441.jpg (158.04 KiB) Viewed 9709 times
Tcollins2,

My Datamarine unit was showing its age and I could barely make out the numbers. Didn't need the speed log input so I replaced it with a Sandpiper model that just shows depth. One thing I noticed was that the RCA type jack that plugs into the unit has to be tight. Otherwise it displays " ------ "
User avatar
tcollins2
2024 Forum Support
2024 Forum Support
Posts: 169
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2015 1:25 pm
Location: Huntington, NY

Re: 12 Meter Express -Dart datamarine depth finder

Post by tcollins2 »

Thanks, I'll check that out too.
1990 Trojan 12M International Express Detroit Diesels 6-71T's, 425HP
User avatar
tcollins2
2024 Forum Support
2024 Forum Support
Posts: 169
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2015 1:25 pm
Location: Huntington, NY

Re: 12 Meter Express -Dart datamarine depth finder

Post by tcollins2 »

Confirmed 100% fiberglass in that location. Phew.
DA4042E4-5F33-4327-8667-9D049111D339.jpeg
DA4042E4-5F33-4327-8667-9D049111D339.jpeg (94.79 KiB) Viewed 8807 times
7E03D423-BEA2-448C-8FAF-3F91A5F7EFB0.jpeg
7E03D423-BEA2-448C-8FAF-3F91A5F7EFB0.jpeg (107.71 KiB) Viewed 8807 times
1990 Trojan 12M International Express Detroit Diesels 6-71T's, 425HP
User avatar
prowlersfish
2024 Gold Support
2024 Gold Support
Posts: 12645
Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 6:56 pm
Location: Lower Chesapeake Bay ,Va

Re: 12 Meter Express -Dart datamarine depth finder

Post by prowlersfish »

It must be the photo but that looks like a cored section . With the reflection its hard to tell
Last edited by prowlersfish on Sat Apr 27, 2019 8:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Boating is good for the soul
77/78 TROJAN F36 Conv.
6BTA Cummins diesels
Life is to short for a ugly boat :D
User avatar
tcollins2
2024 Forum Support
2024 Forum Support
Posts: 169
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2015 1:25 pm
Location: Huntington, NY

Re: 12 Meter Express -Dart datamarine depth finder

Post by tcollins2 »

Nope, 100% fiberglass. Here’s a close up of the cut, about 1-3/8 thick.
12F94E5F-7AEF-43A1-8B24-A3F039C94FF2.jpeg
12F94E5F-7AEF-43A1-8B24-A3F039C94FF2.jpeg (100.81 KiB) Viewed 8790 times
1990 Trojan 12M International Express Detroit Diesels 6-71T's, 425HP
User avatar
prowlersfish
2024 Gold Support
2024 Gold Support
Posts: 12645
Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 6:56 pm
Location: Lower Chesapeake Bay ,Va

Re: 12 Meter Express -Dart datamarine depth finder

Post by prowlersfish »

Much better , looks good
Boating is good for the soul
77/78 TROJAN F36 Conv.
6BTA Cummins diesels
Life is to short for a ugly boat :D
User avatar
RWS
Ultimate User
Posts: 2857
Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2006 7:01 am
Location: West Coast Florida
Contact:

Re: 12 Meter Express -Dart datamarine depth finder

Post by RWS »

What new equipment have you chosen to go with?

RWS
1983 10 Meter SOLD after 21 years of adventures
Yanmar diesels
Solid Glass Hull
Woodless Stringers
Full Hull Liner
Survived Andrew Cat 5,Eye of Charley Cat 4, & Irma Cat 2
Trojan International Website: http://trojanboat.com/

WEBSITE & SITELOCK TOTALLY SELF FUNDED
Post Reply