Depthfinder recommendation?

[pdxsearay]

Hey folks. New forum member / boat owner here with a question. I’m assuming that the blank spot in the middle of the dash (pic below) is where the depth finder would go, had the original owner purchased that option. I’d like to get one. Would you all recommend keep it simple & getting a Hawkeye style one that mounts right in that circle? Or a larger mounted one to the side that also has some navigation? I know most of them are fishfinders; I won’t do much fishing - my family and I are going to use this boat for lake and river cruising / tubing so I’m most interested in depth, nav and water temp. Any recommendations?

I also posted this in the "sport" forum , so apologies for the repeat. Still figuring out this site.

Thank you for your help!

 

[dlvwill]

Keep it simple and mount depth in the dash hole; use phone or tablet for nav with windshield mount.

 

[pdxsearay]

Keep it simple and mount depth in the dash hole; use phone or tablet for nav with windshield mount.

How does the wire get back to the transducer (which i assume needs to be mounted to the transom) if i go this route?

 

[Brett H]

Looks to me like where an engine synchronizer gauge would go.

edit: Nope, looked it up in the parts manual. It was intentionally left blank. Seems strange to me.

 

[pdxsearay]

Looks to me like where an engine synchronizer gauge would go.

edit: Nope, looked it up in the parts manual. It was intentionally left blank. Seems strange to me.

Yeah, weird. the spec sheet shows that a depth finder was an option when the boat was purchased new so i wonder if that's where it would have gone.

 

[Stingrayaxe]

I don't know what Sea Ray would have done from the factory but it would make sense to me to locate the depth finder display in that open spot. Yes the wire would need to run back to where ever you locate the transducer. Most convenient run would be under the gunnel. Follow the same run back as your shift/throttle cables. Then its your choice of using a thru hull or transom mounted transducer. You can get power from the fuse box behind your dash.

Edit: Of course the wire would run from the transducer to the gauge. The wire is permanently attached to whatever transducer you decide on. Keeps it water tight. You can basically follow the same path just starting in the stern and making your way to the helm.