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Pick the Right Transducer for Your Boat

A fishfinder is nothing without the right transducer, so select the best one for your boat – and your fishing.  

What’s the right transducer for my boat?

As fish-finding technology has advanced, the number of decisions fishermen must make when setting up marine electronics has multiplied. However, consider these choices a blessing – they represent an opportunity to create a specialized system that best fits your fishing needs.

Transducers are the eyes (or more accurately, the ears) of your fishfinder. They send energy waves out into the water column and receive the echoes, providing the information that is ultimately displayed on your fishfinder’s screen. Transducers no longer come in a one-size-fits-all option. Instead, fishermen can choose among several variables and select one or more transducers that work best for them.   If you’re shopping for a transducer for a new hull or updating the electronics on your boat, the question you should be asking isn’t “What transducer fits my boat?” It’s “What transducer fits my fishing ?”

“Before we talk about what boat you have, what we want to know is, what are you trying to do?” explained Craig Cushman, director of marketing for Airmar Technology , a primary source for marine transducers. “We want to know where you are fishing and what are you fishing for. Then we can decide what transducer frequency is best and what transducer power output is best. The last piece of the puzzle is how it attaches to your particular boat.”

What depths are you fishing?

“If we know what depths a fisherman will be fishing, we can determine what power output they need,” said Cushman. “For most anglers in the Northeast, we end up recommending a 1kW transducer. That’s plenty of power for the anger who fishes mostly inshore waters for fish like stripers and fluke, and occasionally runs offshore to fish deep water up to 1500 feet.

“if a fisherman specializes in really deep-water fishing, say, they do a lot of daytime swordfishing in depths of 3,500 to 6,000 feet, then we’d recommend a more powerful transducer.”

What kind of fishing are you doing?

“Once we establish the power output, we ask, ‘When you’re out on the water, what kind of fishing are you doing?’” said Cushman. “Are you looking for fish holding tight to the bottom, or tight to structure, like a wreck? Or are you looking for fish in the water column, like striped bass, bluefish, and schools of bait? The answer determines what frequency and beamwidths will be most useful.”

High frequencies provide greater detail at shallower depths. This can be useful for separating fish holding tight on drop-offs, wrecks, or reefs. A lower frequency will achieve greater depth, but it will not give you same target resolution. Low frequencies will show schools of small fish (such as sand eels or squid) without separating them into individual targets.

“For most fishermen in the Northeast, medium frequencies are just right. That’s why our B-175 medium transducer is always a good choice,” said Cushman. The B-175 medium delivers up to 50 kHz of total bandwidth (85-135 kHz) in just one installation. This enables bottom detection down to  1,500 feet with excellent detail and resolution.

Midsize center console fishermen who regularly fish offshore might opt for a combo transducer, like the B275LHW . This is a wide-beam chirp-ready transducer that offers a high frequency range of 150-250 kHz with a constant 25° beam width, along with a low frequency that chirps from 42 kHz to 65 kHz. This combo is perfect for searching the upper water column for pelagics and having the wide coverage for the deeper depths too.

“Fishermen can use both at same time, or choose one over the other,” said Cushman. “It all comes down to picking the right tool for the scenario.”

What kind of boat are you running?

“Once we know where our customer is fishing, we know what power they need. When we know what techniques they are employing, we can determine the best frequencies. The third question is, what kind of boat are they running? That will determine how we attach the transducer to their boat,” explained Cushman.

For example, on a boat with twin screws, you should avoid a transom mount, as there would be too much turbulence. Typically, the best option is to get forward of the props, on the hull, as close to centerline as possible, where you are most likely to have non-aerated water. Bubbles and turbulence are the enemy of clear sonar performance. Always think about finding the “cleanest” water when choosing the right location for installation on a hull.

Case Study: Setting up the On The Water boat

This winter, On The Water worked with Airmar and Simrad to set up the marine electronics on our television boat, a 32 Regulator center console. Airmar suggested mounting two transducers:

The B-275-LHW (low-high-wide), which will provide a high-wide “searchlight” – ideal for locating striped bass in open water, or pelagic fish like tuna cruising down to 500 feet – and low frequency for deeper penetration. To keep the face of the transducer out of the boundary layer of bubbles and turbulence, this was mounted down the centerline on the keel of the boat.

The B-175-M (medium) is the second transducer, which will cover middle-range frequencies. This transducer was mounted out away from centerline, since it will mostly be used at fishing speeds, when the boat is off plane, and not while running.

“Being selective when choosing your transducer turns your fishfinder into a more refined tool,” said Cushman. “If you take the time to ask yourself these questions, you’re going to install a transducer that  provides the performance you’re really after.”

Watch Airmar B175M Refit Install:

10 on “ Pick the Right Transducer for Your Boat ”

I could use some guidance. I’m looking for the correct transducer for a 32′ aluminum boat. I live in juneau ak. I fish salmon and halibut. It is a recreation. I am looking into garmin equipment. What is your professional directive for an airmar transducer.

I have a 30’ Kingfisher which is aluminum. I fish out of Valdez Alaska and fish for salmon and halibut and I also shrimp. It’s a recreational boat. I have a Lowrance HDS Gen 3 fish finder. My current transducer won’t give me depths at time so I’m replacing it. Got the system and boat new in 2016. We will go from 30’ to 600’ in less than a half mile where we fish and shrimp.

Hi Richard, for the aluminum hull you’ll need a stainless thru hull like our SS175. Based on the depths that those two species live at, the MED frequency would be best. It provides a wider beam for more coverage in the mid to upper water column for Salmon, plus it has the ability to reach 1500′ if you need it for Halibut. Good luck!

We have a 29ft radon and mostly fish for white seabass, yellowtail, and halibut and need to be able to detect squid and bait fish at the Channel Islands. most of what we do is 300ft or less and look through every water column from top to bottom. it would also be nice to be able to use for pelagics like tuna and dorado up to probably 300-400ft but that might be a little too deep. We are looking to get Garmin equipment. What do you recommend?

Shawn, check out the answer above to Richards post. Pretty much the same answer. Let me know if that doesn’t fully answer your needs. Good luck!

I am getting a new boat that comes with twin Garmin 1242xsv. The standard transducer is a B75M. This is a Bay Boat so most if not all of my fishing will be in less then 100 ft of water. Where I want to make sure I have good detail is when I fish structure that is in the 20 to 60 ft level looking for close to the bottom fish. Is the B75M the right choice?

Fishing a 2470 cc pursuit. Fishing deep water 1500-2000 ft which is a affordable fish finder and best transducer John

im trying to locate a transducer that can read at least near to 2000 ft for deep water fishing and sword fish. my gps is a garmin 94sv

I have a Impulse 1801 fish finder. I fish the delta and the bay. Do you have a transducer that will work with my Impulse?

I just sent in for a transducer for Impulse 2801 or a 2830 loran fish finder fishing the delta. Do you have a transducer that will work for either one of those models. Thank you.

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30 Ways To Sink a Boat { …and 29 to prevent it }

• By Daniel W. Long
• Updated: September 20, 2017

Boating Writers International 11th Annual Writing Contest – Daniel W. Long’s “30 Ways to Sink A Boat” won 1st place in the Boat/Engine Care Maintenance Category.

Remember the time you were running through the bay and heard a thump from below? Wasn’t that fun? No? Did it stir up that dreaded boating moment-the fear of sinking? No one likes to imagine such a thing happening. Yet every year thousands of us unwittingly experience that shiver of fright-and hundreds of us take it a step further by actually sinking.

• Billions of dollars worth of fiberglass sits on the ocean floor, mostly because it’s so easy to stop a boat from floating. You don’t even have to meet and greet a rock to get a one-way ticket down. In fact, you don’t have to do anything. Just let your boat sit awhile, and eventually it will find the bottom. According to BoatUS, the largest insurer of pleasureboats in the country, for every boat that sinks at sea, four go down in their slips.

30 Ways To Sink a Boat

• To find out why, we asked around the docks, checked insurance records, and talked to boatyard owners. Here are the top 30 preventable disasters. Not interested? Okay. But know that the cost of repairing a boat that’s done an underwater disappearing act is usually 40 percent of its total value. Now that we have your wallet’s attention, read on.

1. Stern Drive Bellows

What Happened: The rubber dried and cracked. Water seeped past the gimbal bearing and poured into the boat because the bottom of the gearcase cutout was well below the waterline.

What You Should Have Done: Store your stern drive in the down position when out of the water to avoid the bends and creases that stress rubber. Inspect the bellows two or three times a year and replace it annually.

2. Scuppers in the Fall

What Happened: The scuppers got clogged with leaves. Although this won’t seal the drains, it can greatly slow the release of water. In a heavy rain the cockpit can fill enough to weigh down the boat so it floods or accumulates enough water to reach non-waterproof openings in the deck and fill the bilge.

What You Should Have Done: Keep the cockpit covered, or have wide-mesh external screens made to protect the scuppers.

3. Scuppers in the Winter

What Happened: White stuff fell and ice built up around the scuppers, filling them in. Since this occurs under the snow, you can’t see it. The good news is that once the boat sinks, the ice will melt.

What You Should Have Done: Haul out for the winter, or have a waterproof, reinforced cover that can take the weight of accumulated snow. Don’t treat your boat like your mother-in-law: Visit it often.

4. Scuppers Anytime

What Happened: A piece of plumbing corroded, cracked, or just gave up. The weakest link is the hose that can crack, most often around the stress points created by the clamps.

What You Should Have Done: While the boat is on land, check the hoses by flexing them back and forth. If there are any cracks, replace the hoses.

5. Hose Clamp Failed

What Happened: A hose attached to a seacock below the waterline, or a through-hull just above it, came off its fitting because the hose clamps gave way.

What You Should Have Done: Secure each hose with two clamps where it passes over the fitting’s nipple. Check that the clamps are all stainless steel (a magnet won’t attract stainless). Often, the tightening gear and its case are mild steel, which rusts away.

6. Trapped Under a Dock

What Happened: You tied up the boat at low tide. The wind pushed part of the boat under the dock, the tide came up, and the boat became trapped beneath the dock, then sank.

What You Should Have Done: This can happen when the pilings supporting the dock are too far apart to keep the boat parallel to the dock and out from under it. No matter how many docklines you rig, this will be a problem. If you can’t dock somewhere else, set anchors out from the bow and stern so the boat won’t swing.

7. Tied Down, Tide Up

What Happened: At low tide, your bow and stern lines were tight. When the tide came up, the lines stayed that way-firmly holding the boat down as the water rose.

What You Should Have Done: Long spring lines attached at acute angles to the boat adjust as the boat rises and falls. Bow and stern lines may have to be tended as the tide goes through its cycle.

8. Stuffing Box

What Happened: The packing gland surrounding the propshaft loosened. Or perhaps it rotted away as it hadn’t been replaced for many seasons.

What You Should Have Done: Dripless shaft seals that require minimal maintenance are used by 90 percent of today’s boatbuilders. But many boaters still use old-fashioned stuffing boxes on the rudder shafts. Check stuffing boxes often, and beware.

9. Damage From Dock

What Happened: The wind started to blow, pounding the boat against the dock until a hole appeared.

What You Should Have Done: Tie up on the downwind side of the dock so the wind holds you away from the structure. Fenders would help. Use the round-ball type when up against a flat surface such as a concrete seawall. Use fender boards, a heavy board suspended between two fenders, when you’re against pilings.

10. Dockside Water Pressure

What Happened: An internal freshwater hose burst from the pressure of dockside municipal water.

What You Should Have Done: Shut off the water at the dock when you leave the boat.

11. Freshwater Flooding

What Happened: A fitting fails in the freshwater system. Thinking a tap has been opened, the pump senses a reduction in hose pressure and turns on the supply water-bad news if you’re hooked up to dockside water, which will keep pumping into the bilge.

What You Should Have Done: Never leave the boat without shutting off the water at the dock. This way, if a fitting or hose fails, you’ll pump only the water in your tank into the bilge. Better yet, disconnect the hose from your boat. Any moron walking down the dock could turn on the hose if it’s connected.

12. Generator Cooling Intake

What Happened: The hose cracked, water flooded, boat sank. I hope you’re picking up a pattern here about hoses.

What You Should Have Done: Use series 135 heavy-duty water hose-no exceptions. It resists chafe, is reinforced to prevent collapsing, and has a working pressure of up to 200 psi. Wiggle the hose where it meets fittings to look for cracks. Rub a damp cloth along it. If there are black marks on the rag, the hose is deteriorating.

13. Head Intake

What Happened: An unprotected head-intake hose running through the engine room bulkhead chafed, then failed.

What You Should Have Done: Do your hoses make as few bends and turns as possible? They should be secured tightly and padded where appropriate.

14. Head Intake II

What Happened: The water-fill hose connecting the outside of the hull to the head crapped out. The head, being below the waterline, filled and so did the boat.

What You Should Have Done: Besides maintaining the hoses and clamps, make sure the boatbuilder has left easy access to the inlet’s seacock. Make it a policy that when you leave the boat, you shut all the seacocks. Then, if a hose fails, it’s no big deal.

15. Head Discharge

What Happened: The one-way joker valve on the head’s discharge got something in it. You were smart enough to run the discharge hose above the waterline to keep water out but not smart enough to remember how a siphon works. Trying to siphon the full contents of the Atlantic Ocean, your boat soon sinks.

What You Should Have Done: To prevent a reverse flow, when you run any hose above the waterline, remember to install a vented loop fitting at the top of the loop. This lets air in to prevent a siphon. Use fittings that let you disassemble the valve each season to make sure it’s clear and working.

16. Check-Valve Backflow

What Happened: Since the through-hull is mounted so low to the waterline, a clever mechanic put a one-way check valve on your bilge pump’s exhaust hose to keep the sea out. Too bad it didn’t.

What You Should Have Done: Check valves are unreliable and can get stuck open. Route the pump’s exhaust hose as high as possible to a through-hull near the rubrail. If it must go to a low outlet, run the hose up inside the boat as high as possible, install an anti-siphon valve at the top of the loop, and run it to a seacock that you can close.

17. Ice in Sea Strainer

What Happened: When it was time to winterize, you put antifreeze everywhere except in the strainer at the raw-water intake. Then you left the boat with the seacocks open. The water in the strainer froze, expanded, and cracked the strainer. Water came in and the boat went down.

What You Should Have Done: Close the seacock and open the strainer’s drain plug to empty it of water. Then fill the hose and strainer with anti-freeze, because you never get all the water out and it’s better to be safe.

18. Plastic Through-Hulls I

What Happened: The cheap ones that came with the boat got brittle from ultraviolet light and gave way from the weight of the hose. Or maybe the hose barb cracked when you overtightened the hose clamps.

What You Should Have Done: We prefer stainless-steel or bronze fittings below the waterline.

19. Plastic Through-Hulls II

What Happened: The mechanic was in the bilge repairing the engine. While trying to get better leverage to force a rusted bolt free, he wedged his foot against a through-hull. He pushed and it cracked.

What You Should Have Done: Stick with stainless steel or bronze below the waterline. And use a better mechanic.

20. Transom-Mount Transducers

What Happened: You were smart to use bolts instead of screws to mount the transducer to the transom. But over the years the transducer has gotten nudged, hit, and smacked so often that the bedding compound loosened and enlarged the boltholes enough for water to seep in.

What You Should Have Done: Caulking and bedding compounds don’t last forever. Check every year and rebed every four years.

21. Through-Hull Transducers

What Happened: When hauling, the straps from the sling put pressure on the transducer, which disturbed the bedding and widened the hole.

What You Should Have Done: Properly installed transducers have large backing plates to distribute the stress of an impact. This one didn’t. Or you can mount the transducer within the hull so there are no exposed parts.

22. Corrosion

What Happened: Over the years, the dissimilar metals below the waterline have been eating each other-giving them an internal structure that’s similar to Swiss cheese. Eventually, a slight nudge caused one to fail.

What You Should Have Done: Again, we prefer that stainless steel or bronze be used below the waterline. But no matter what, all metals must be protected. If your bronze seacock is turning pink, it’s falling apart. All underwater fittings should be bonded to each other with a number 10-gauge green wire, and sacrificial zincs should be used. Check annually.

23. Speedometer Plug

What Happened: Good move pulling the Pitot tube for a cleaning. Too bad you forgot to plug the hole.

What You Should Have Done: Vitamin E supposedly helps the memory. Even with a plug, you can get a leak. Rubber O-rings can deform or come loose from their tracks. Put some grease on the rings to ensure long life and a good seal.

24. Stern Drive Mounting Bolt

What Happened: The holes on the engine-mounting bracket below the waterline leaked due to weeping. The stainless-steel bolts inside the transom corroded due to sitting in stagnant water. This is called crevice corrosion.

What You Should Have Done: Check the drive bolts often. Double-check the seal.

25. Hose Slips Off Seacock Nipple

What Happened: After a day of wave bashing, the shakes and vibrations worked a hose off an open seacock.

What You Should Have Done: If there’s room to put two hose clamps on each fitting, do it. Have the excess ring material exit in a different direction on each.

26. Rubrails

What Happened: From too many bangs against pilings, the screws, bolts, rivets, or adhesive that holds the rubrail in place has come loose. Plow into too many head seas or sit through a rainstorm and water will get below.

What You Should Have Done: At the end of each season, walk around the boat blasting the hull-to-deck joint with a hose. Have someone inside to watch for leaks.

27. Muffler Rot

What Happened: Water sat in a low point and rotted the muffler. Waves at the dock came in the transom exhaust ports and went directly into the boat.

What You Should Have Done: Feel under the mufflers or risers for moisture. They will ooze dampness months before giving way.

28. Frozen Muffler

What Happened: The drain plug on the bottom of the muffler or riser was removed but not replaced. Or you didn’t drain them and the ice did its worst.

What You Should Have Done: Drain the water, but don’t unscrew the plug and then go for drinks while it drains. You’ll forget to put it back in.

29. Drain Plug

What Happened: You forgot to put in the transom drain plug when launching. Join the club. You’re an idiot like the rest of us.

What You Should Have Done: Don’t be an idiot-install a high-water alarm.

30. Hit By Another Boat

What Happened: The guy in the slip next to you hit your bow while tying to a dock. This forced the bolted-on swim platform on your boat to bang the bulkhead and loosen the bolts, which started to weep enough so that by the next morning all you saw was the VHF radio antenna.

What You Should Have Done: Do a Jackie Chan on the clown who smacked your boat. Then string him up by his nose hairs. There are some sinkings that just can’t be prevented.

• More: Boating Safety , How-To , Preventative Care

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The Musings of a Hopeless Wanderer

Engaging in the eternal search for the meaning of life...or a good time.

• Netherlands

Monday, September 3, 2018

Tackling moscow by train and boat.

Our first full day in Moscow started fairly late since we were still catching up on sleep.  Around 1, we finally were able to get our act together and get out the door. 

We stopped by a cafe to get some breakfast and headed over to the Red Square.  Since the festival is going on, we had to go through metal detectors.  Once we cleared security, we reached the State Historical Museum which provided an entrance to the Red Square.

We walked the length of the Red Square, passing by the Kazan cathedral.

Under normal conditions, the Red Square is a large walking area with the State Historical Museum on one end and St. Basil's on the other end.  On the sides is the Kremlin wall on one side and then the GUM shopping mall and the Kazan cathedral on the other side.  Presently, the walking area has been considerably narrowed and the fesitval grounds occupying a large space between the Kremlin and the mall.

We even asked a stranger to take our picture!

After walking around the Red Square, we had to leave to meet up with our Metro Tour.  

Moscow has famously pretty metro stations so metro tours are quite popular.  We booked a relatively inexpensive tour through a tour group which met outside of the Red Square.

On our way, we passed by the Kremlin gardens and the tomb to the unknown soldier and the eternal flame.

We soon met up with our group which, fortunately, was only 5 people.  Our guide told us that we were going to visit 8 stations during the 1.5 hour tour.  

Honestly, a lot of the stations blended in to me so I won't be able to give you a detailed description of all of them.  However, I did learn that there are 222 metro stations and the trains come every 2-3 minutes reliably.  For that reason, Moscow > DC. 

One of the first metro stations we visited had bronze statues all over of various depictions.  Many of the statues had superstitions tied to them.  For example, for a statue of the dog, it's held that if you rub the nose of the dog, you'll have good luck.  Consequently, most of the statue is tarnished - except for the nose.  I joked to Tomas that they probably rotate the "good luck" portion of the statue to ensure the entire statue gets polished.

However, I do remember some of the stations.

Novoslobodskaya is a station adorned with stained glass on the walls.

There was also Belarusskaya, which paid tribute to Belarus.

Another station which name I cannot remember but had pretty mosaics in the ceilings.

My favorite station was Komsomolskaya.  It's the busiest station and a hub for other connecting trains.  It was built during Statlin times and he wanted the station to embody beauty to set a good first impression to Russia.

I'd seen pictures of it beforehand since it's the most famous but it's so much more impressive in person.

Look at these ceilings!

Overall it was a very interesting tour.  Not sure of any other city which could offer a metro tour.  DC certainly can't...

After the tour, we headed back of the hotel to rest for a bit.  We had purchased tickets to a tour hour boat down the Moscow river.  The tickets were good for any time on any day and the boats left every 20min.  We decided to knock the tour out that day and headed over to the pier.  

We arrived at the pier and saw a boat by the company we had purchased from boarding.  We approached and they shook their head and said it wasn't the right boat. 

So we waited for another boat.

Another boat came along by the same company we had purchased from so weapproached them.  Again - we were told it wasn't the right boat and the boat we were looking for was coming.  

A third boat came along which was NOT by the company we had purchased from.  By this point, it had been longer than 20min waiting and I was starting to suspect that the correct boat was actually one of the ones which turned us away.   We approached the 3rd boat to ask if they knew which boat we should be on.  However, when we approached,  they waved us aboard without scanning our tickets.

So, we boarded the 3rd boat....which was definitely not ours.

We settled into an upper deck, open air table to take in the views.

We passed by pretty buildings.

The somewhat impressive cathedral of Christ the Savior.

This random statue.

After about hour on the cruise, Tomas remarked that it had been about an hour so we should be turning around soon.  I reminded him that we actually had no idea how long this cruise was or where we would be dropped off.  Since we were on the wrong boat.

Fortunately, it did turn around and took us back to the pier.  

For dinner, we decided to go to this burger place, Black Star Burger, which our guide told us about.  Tomas really liked his - I thought mine was OK.  It was a decent size patty with a mountain of Cole slaw on top.  We've realized that apparently Russians dislike getting their hands dirty while eating so some restaurants will give out gloves to use.  This particular restaurant gave out black gloves.

Tomas modeling our dinner.

Since little mum has been asking about pictures which show my feet, I assume she wanted to see my new shoes.  I recently bought Allbirds which are suppose to be super comfortable walking shoes which you wear without socks and can be washed.  I didn't wear them too extensively beforehand, so that was probably my first error.  I also didn't bring another pair of good walking shoes,  which was likely my second error.  The Allbirds were great the first two days without socks.  Midway through the third day, my right foot was quite unhappy. Left foot was a trooper. So, now I have a bandaid on the heel of my right foot and wear socks.  

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American archaeologist drowns after boat capsizes on Viking voyage

An American archaeologist has died after the boat she was sailing in capsized in rough seas during a Viking voyage expedition from the Faroe Islands to Norway.

Six people were on board the Naddoddur when it got into trouble on Tuesday evening - the fourth day of the voyage - and a distress signal was sent.

Only five people managed to get into an inflatable life raft. They were later airlifted to safety by helicopter.

A woman's body was eventually found on Wednesday morning close to where the boat capsized.

The US State Department confirmed the death of an American citizen "off the coast of Norway" but declined to comment further "out of respect for the privacy of the family".

"We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased," the agency told BBC News.

Norwegian media identified the deceased woman as 29-year-old Karla Dana.

A blog maintained by the group contains several entries written by Ms Dana. In one post that appears to have been written before their departure, she describes trepidation over the expedition as she watched online videos of the North Sea.

"It’s hard to keep excitement from turning into fear when you see those waves casually tossing around huge modern boats like toys," she wrote in the post, which published Wednesday.

"But there’s a wild beauty in the North Sea, a reminder of nature’s raw power, and I feel incredibly lucky to be part of this adventure."

Ms Dana's body was found trapped underneath the capsized boat, Faroe Islands news website local.fo reported.

Norway's Sea Rescue Society (NSSR) described conditions when the boat capsized as very demanding, posting a video of the strong winds and high sea west of the town of Stad.

It said waves were up to 5m (16ft) and winds were as much as 40 knots.

According to Ms Dana's LinkedIn profile, she is an archaeologist specialising in the Viking era, with previous experience working and studying in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Spain, England, Germany, Morocco, China and Taiwan.

In 2023, Ms Dana joined the Florida chapter of The Explorers Club.

The Explorers Club is a prestigious international organisation founded in 1904 by Arctic explorers to promote scientific discovery and research.

The secret travel club that’s been everywhere

Why humans are drawn to the ends of the earth.

Joseph Dituri, the chairman of The Explorers Club's Florida chapter who sponsored Ms Dana's entry into the club last year, said that her death is a reminder "that we make these dangerous Expeditions and Explorations look easy but they are not".

"This brave Explorer left this planet doing something she loved entirely too early," he told BBC News.

"Her exploration spirit was evident in everything she did as well as her zest for life! It is a better world having had her in it."

Dr Dituri, who holds a Guinness World Record for having spent 100 days in an underwater habitat, said that Ms Dana had begun to pursue an archaeology masters degree in June at the University of the Highlands and Islands at the remote Orkney Island campus.

"As she finished her first excavation unearthing Iron Age Viking artifacts in the Orkneys, Karla shared, 'I’m happy to say I’m living out my dreams,'" Dr Dituri said.

Earlier, she had led a project in Costa Rica, doing ethnographic field research on the Ngöbe Indigenous Tribe. Her work culminated in book about the tribe's language, legends and traditions.

Bergur Jacobsen, who is chairman of the Naddoddur boat club on the Faroe Islands, told the BBC that everyone was very sad about what had happened.

He explained that the 10m-long boat had been on previous Viking voyages before to Iceland, Shetland and Norway.

"It's not a Viking boat, it's a Faroes fishing boat without a motor but with sails."

He said he could not speak about the accident as a Norwegian investigation team was due to speak to him.

Locals were said to be in shock over the accident. One seaman told the BBC that visitors were keen to go on expeditions with the boat, although he would not have done so himself.

The expedition had been postponed for several days because of bad weather until Saturday.

One of four Swiss nationals on the trip, Andy Fitze, posted a map on social media two days into the voyage showing the boat to the north-east of Shetland.

Before the trip, the Faroese member of the crew, Livar Nysted, said when you were in the middle of a storm "you just try to do the best you can".

"It's an open boat. You sleep under the stars and when it's raining or windy you can feel the elements."

The expedition was not affiliated with the Viking Cruises company.

With additional reporting from Max Matza

Faroe Islands profile

Shetland's damaged subsea cable now fully repaired, faroe islands to limit dolphin hunt after outcry.

Tragic Scots uni student dies after boat sinks during 'once in a lifetime' trip

Huge waves reportedly reached 16 feet during Karla Dana's dream journey which turned into a nightmare and caused the small boat to capsize.

• 19:28, 29 AUG 2024
• Updated 19:50, 29 AUG 2024

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A Scots student has tragically died after a boat sank during a 'once in a lifetime' Viking voyage off the coast of Norway.

Mexican-American archaeologist Karla Dana who was a student at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) died on August 27 after the replica boat capsized in rough seas, according to a local Faroe Islands paper .

The other five people on board got onto an inflatable life raft and were airlifted to safety via a helicopter, the BBC reported. But Karla's body was found on Wednesday morning not far from where the boat sank.

Huge waves reportedly reached 16 feet during the dream journey which turned into a nightmare when they swallowed the small boat causing it to capsize, reports the Mirror.

Karla had recently decided to pursue a Master’s in Archeology at the UHI campus in Orkney because it "aligned perfectly with her career goals" before her devastating death.

The Norway Sea Rescue Society said the conditions just to the west of the Norwegian town of Stad were harrowing, sharing a terrifying video of what the ocean looked like at the time.

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Shocking footage shows giant waves battering the side of the NSSR vessel, splashing against the windshield as the entire boat rocks violently from side to side.

Wind speeds reportedly reached upwards of 45 mph, NSSR reported. Berger Jacobsen, chairman of the Naddoddur boat club based on the Faroe Islands, said everyone was devastated by the tragedy that unfolded on Tuesday.

The Viking expedition had reportedly been postponed for several days already because of bad weather and didn't leave until Saturday. The crew reportedly contained four Swiss nationals, an American woman and a Norwegian from the Faroe Islands.

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An American researcher drowns after a Viking replica ship sinks off Norway's coast

A historic journey ended in tragedy this week when a Viking replica ship capsized off the coast of Norway, killing an American archaeologist who was part of its international crew.

The six-person team had been piloting the open wooden ship, named Naddodd, on a roughly 1,000-mile trip from the Faroe Islands to Trondheim, Norway.

"This expedition, honoring the Viking navigator Naddodd, aims to preserve Viking culture and navigational skills for future generations," Sail2North expeditions, which organized the voyage, said in an Instagram post in May.

The team — made up of four Swiss, one Faroese and one American — departed on Saturday from Suðuroy, the southernmost of the 18 Faroe Islands, for what was expected to be a several-day journey.

But on Tuesday evening, met with stronger-than-expected winds and high waves, it capsized off the Norwegian coastal town of Stad.

The Norwegian Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) told CNN that the boat sent out a distress signal at around 5:45 p.m. local time, but when rescuers arrived, crew members signaled that they were safe.

They issued another distress call around 8 p.m. local time, at which point local civilian boats got to the scene and saw the ship had capsized. Five members of the crew managed to board an inflatable life raft and were airlifted to safety within an hour, the JRCC said, but one person was trapped beneath the boat.

Emergency responders battled tough conditions, including 40-knot winds and 16-foot waves, according to a video posted to social media by Norway’s Sea Rescue Society.

#Redningsskøyta «Idar Ulstein» er på nå på stedet hvor vikingskipet har kantret vest av #Stad . Vi holder øye med skipet, og gjør det vi kan for å bistå med bergingen, men værforholdene gjør det svært krevende. pic.twitter.com/iLUUeo6Qoz — Redningsselskapet (@NSSR) August 27, 2024

The following morning, once conditions improved, rescuers found a body beneath the capsized boat.

On Friday, Sail2North identified the victim as 29-year-old Karla Dana, whom it had previously described as "the youngest member of our crew and embodies both the curiosity of a field researcher and the boldness of an adventurer."

Dana, an archaeologist and field researcher, had worked in a number of countries, from Costa Rica to Germany to Morocco to Taiwan, according to her LinkedIn page. She was a member of the prestigious Explorers Club , and was pursuing a master's degree in archaeology at the University of the Highlands and Islands in Scotland.

In a joint statement shared with Sail2North, Dana's sister and her fiancé said she "tackled every adventure with a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye."

"She always made life look easy," Alejandra Dana and Grant McDaniel wrote. "She created a light that illuminated everyone around her everywhere she went. If you ever had the opportunity to know her, consider yourself one of the luckiest people on this planet."

Dana had shared on LinkedIn earlier this year that she was looking forward to participating in the Viking expedition.

"Thrilled to be a part of this crew, fearlessly embarking on this Nordic voyage on a Viking ship replica across the North Sea, pushing through physical and mental limits to sail into history," Dana wrote.

Dana also authored several posts for the expedition's blog, which is now password-protected.

"It's hard to keep excitement from turning into fear when you see those waves casually tossing around huge modern boats like toys," she wrote in a post published Wednesday, according to the BBC . "But there's a wild beauty in the North Sea, a reminder of nature's raw power, and I feel incredibly lucky to be part of this adventure."

Authorities believe a strong wave was likely responsible for the capsizing, which they are viewing as a "tragic accident" rather than a criminal matter, according to the Associated Press .

Sail2North said on Friday that its crew was made up of "highly experienced explorers who undertook extensive training" and "took every precaution to ensure their safety."

The other crew members include the 56-year-old captain and expedition leader , a 54-year-old artist and seaman who holds a Guinness World Record for rowing across two oceans in the same year, a 37-year-old extreme sports aficionado , a 41-year-old photographer and a 50-year-old engineer .

"Despite their diligent efforts and adherence to these measures, the outcome was unforeseen and deeply upsetting," it said, adding it is committed to supporting Dana's family and honoring her legacy.

A spokesperson with a public relations firm representing the organization told NPR over email that the rest of the crew is traveling home to be with their families and "continues to receive support from a dedicated care team." It anticipates providing further updates next week.

Copyright 2024 NPR

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trainmanjess

hello all I have a Kittiwake 23.5 full keel sailboat... I am looking at installing a depth finder in it for when I am sailing... on my old boat (Mac25) is put the transducer under the front V-berth, in a toilet bowl grease ring to hold it in place.... worked wonderful.... but I do not have that option with my kittiwake, and with the full keel, I am not sure where I can put it... I do not want to put it through the hull, I want to shoot it through the hull again.... in the front part of the keel is 1500 lbs of lead, so I cannot sink it in the bilge.... the bilge is very deep in the rear of the keel, but I think the lead will interfere with the readings of the depth finder... not sure how I can set this up... needing advice or solution to this .... I am using a hummingbird wideeye depth/fish finder on my boat... thanks for any help... my friend says I should just forget it, it is not worth the trouble to set it up on the boat, as I am only sailing on inland lakes with it.... but I told him I do plan to sail n the great lakes, gulf of mexico and the coastal waters of the US sometimes with it... I like the piece of mind it gives me when sailing close to shore... sincerely Jess  

set it off to the side of the keel... 15-20" to the side should work fine, towards the front would be better, but make sure the transducer islevel with the boat, NOT the surface your mounting it on.... what I did.. I used a piece of pvc pipe that the transducer would fit into, then cut a very short length on the angle of the mounting surface... so the top was level with the boat. then I mixed some epoxy putty and epoxied this to the hull where i wanted the 'ducer located.... after it set, i filled it enough with melted ring wax to make a level wax surface inside... after it cooled for an hour, i poured another 1/8" of wax in and set the tranducer.... a couple of things to make it better... once you have the idea of this, you can make the pvc tube a bit taller so that when finished, the entire transducer will be below the top opening of the pvc... then grind a notch in the top edge for the wire to lay in as it passes out of the "container".... what this does is protect the transducer from being knocked loose or disturbed in any way, and if something should fall on it, the wire in its recessed "cut out" wont get pinched in two...  

hello good idea about the board for the transom... I have a Carl Alberg design full keel boat... the transom doesn't even sit in the water.... it is above the water... I need a solution of where and how to install the transducer inside my boat far enough forward so the lead keel doesn't interfere with the transducer signal.... I have posted pictures of my boat, to give a better idea of what I am dealing with in my problem here... like I said before, I use to have a Mac25, and it was easy to figure out and install.... under the V-berth, in the bow... easy and done.... this full keel boat doesn't have the opening under the V-berth.... under the V-berth is a built in fresh water tank... no place to put the transducer.... sincerely Jess  

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centerline: Your concept would work well for protecting the protruding backsides of the thru hull units as well. You could even slip a pipe cap on. That might even stop a leak by acting as a secondary emergency cap! Chief  

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Cape May County bridge reopened after being hit by 90-foot fishing boat

Nicholas huba.

• Aug 31, 2024

Documents show bridges at the Jersey Shore, including the Middle Thorofare Bridge in Cape May County, have aged out.

LOWER TOWNSHIP  — A 90-foot commercial fishing boat lost power and struck the Thorofare Bridge late Friday night.

The boat struck the bridge at around 9:30 p.m., according to Cape May County officials.

The boat became pinned against the north side of the bridge, according to a post on Facebook from Sea Tow. 

The vessel has since been towed away from the bridge, and crewmembers are reported safe and uninjured, county officials said. 

The Cape May County Bridge Commission, county officials, and engineer professionals immediately responded to the incident.

The bridge connects the Diamond Beach section of the township to the mainland.

"Our crew was able to get a towline to the fishing vessel and after significant efforts the vessel was pulled away from the bridge," according to the Sea Tow post. "All crew were safe and uninjured."

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The bridge reopened at 7:30 a.m., county Administrator Kevin Lare said.

"We inspected bridge from water with Bridge Commission consulting engineer and it is deemed safe," Lare said in a statement. 

On Aug. 21, the bridge reopened after having been closed for nearly three days due to a failure of the drive-shaft motor.

Contact Nicholas Huba: 

609-272-7046

[email protected]

Twitter @acpresshuba 

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