Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I recently purchased a 1999 Starcarft Elite200 - on the dash board where an odometer would be on a vehicle I have a depth guage with push buttons for up and down. Not sure where this is supposed to be set, I have set it to 10 - assuming this is depth alarm in feet, if the depth is less the alarm will sound. However, the alarm keeps sounding and goes off - numbers read all over the place up to like 490. Any help figuring this our would be greatly appreciated. This is my first pontoon - I have had boats before but bought this so we can take grandkids and thier parents all on ONE boat. Took it out for first time this weekend for maiden voyage....we all loved it.

Yep that is for setting depth alarm. I usually set mine at 4 to 5 ft. Can't explain the erratic readings. Might check the transducer. They are usually designed to pivot, so they don't get damaged if you strike something. Might also want to check the wiring from the transducer to the gauge.

doc

Sounds like your transducer is hosed up...
Its prob hanging off the back of one of your tunes and looks like this...


It should be close to horz with the surface of the water, hanging down lower then the back of the toon...

Mine have all done that on the poontoon while moving at speeds over half throttle. It just can't get a good lock to work right.

Well, thats true, over half way and mines lying too..

I only trust my depth finder when trolling, or almost stopped. THis way, it is much more accurate. At half throttle, it just shows lines, and basically says it can't read. I set my depth alarm to 5ft. last year, and that worked great. I heard the alarm when needed, and still had time to reverse out of there if need be.