This is my first year owning a boat so I'm still learning and getting used to things.

I have a B/W Humminbird, 535 I think, and I fish a few lakes that are REALLY weedy, with weeds almost to the surface.

Now the question...what should I expect to see on my depthfinder.  Often times, the screen is simply all black.  I've played with the sensitivity and a few other settings.  In open water, it seems OK, so I've simply told myself that with so many weeds, that's what I'll see.  

Is my assumption correct, or should I expect a better picture?

And in a friend's private pond that's a bit muddy, the depthfinder often reports 0.6 feet of depth when I KNOW I'm deeper.  I've tried wiping off the transducer.

Any ideas?  Is this what I should expect, of is the depth finder not behaving correctly?

I know this is not much help but did you call humminbird?  I don't think muddy water would block your signal that much.  Thick weeds right on your transducer maybe.

That doesn't sound right.  I have the 575 (same power as 535, wider beam).  I can see a clear distinction between thick weeds and the bottom of the lake.  Just two weeks ago I was in hydrilla 8ft tall and almost thick enough to walk on.  I could clearly see the weeds and the bottom contour.  The water was 10 ft visibility and I had visual confirmation of what was on the screen.  In cloudy water I don't get the visual confirmation, but the screen still shows me a vivid picture.

That doesn't sound right.  I have the 575 (same power as 535, wider beam).  I can see a clear distinction between thick weeds and the bottom of the lake.  Just two weeks ago I was in hydrilla 8ft tall and almost thick enough to walk on.  I could clearly see the weeds and the bottom contour.  The water was 10 ft visibility and I had visual confirmation of what was on the screen.  In cloudy water I don't get the visual confirmation, but the screen still shows me a vivid picture.

Interesting...

Without having my manual in front on me, any settings you can think of off the top of you head I should consider messing with before calling HB?

It sounds like you already have played with the settings.  Just by scrolling through the menu for 10 minutes you will surly find everything.  Make sure it is the 535.  If it came with the boat it might be old or abused.  I read somewhere that an oily film on the transducer can affect it.  Maybe a transducer scrub would help.

Sorry I can't help more, but yes the 535 should have a better picture than what you describe.

The 535 was purchased brand new and installed on the brand new boat I got in March 2007

This is great opp. Acu View. They are are great tool to improve your ability to read your fish finder.

Garnet

Here is a link to the Humminbird website with screen shots for the 535.

http://www.humminbird.com/products.asp?id=722

Your 535 should look like this as long as the lake contours are interesting or similar. Orlando lakes are flat and I never see water more than 30 ft (usually 4 to 12ft). That's what my depth finder shows me and if it is mud or sand, but the ability to see the weed cover is worth every penny to me.  The website's screen shots for the 575 are fairly close to what I see, aside from depth.

if your 535 doesn't look like this then take a picture of the screen and email Humminbird and ask if they can help. Don't accuse them of sending a broken product. They have feelings too. Work with them and I am sure they will fix or replace.

Congrats on the new boat.  

Also check to be certain your transducer wire is not run along any power cables in the boat.  They can and will pickup interference from them.

Let me guess. You mounted it and turned it on. Big problem. If you will take it out of the auto mode and switch it to manuel operation you can adjust the gain and problem solved...Period