I'm sure this is a common problem for people who dock their boat in salt water, and it's very frustrating!
My speedometer on my boat uses a typical Pitot on the bottom of the transom, that measures water speed by sending pressure through the small tube to the speedometer guage. It rarely works once the boat has been in the water for a while, due to barnacle growth and other marine sludge.
I want to know if I have any other options in a speedometer setting. (I already have a GPS that also gives speed, but I want my guage to work too, plus I don't always use my GPS - I don't really need it for where I go).
Why don't they sell a Pitot that resists barnacle growth, and other sludge? I've even tried painting it with antifouling paint in previous years, and that didn't work either. I've used new Pitots over and over with no luck every year, they fail. There's got to be a better system for a Guage Speedometer!
2007-12-04 14:03:39 · 9 answers · asked by 80's kid 6 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Boats & Boating
There is a speed wheel that logs speed and attaches to your transom or thru hull. Get one that interfaces with your speedometer.
2007-12-04 23:21:52 · answer #1 · answered by landfall43 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a tough one! My guess is that speedo gauge is ok. I have a feeling the tube from the fin to the gauge is plugged. The smallest of particles can clog a speedometer tube, even if you can blow through it, there still may be a clog. Before I ask a Mercury dealer what the problem is I would buy some new tubing. Connect some new tubing to the fin, run the tubing up through the boat and connect the other end to the speedometer gauge. Take the boat out on the water and see if this works. My second guess would be to use a air compresser. Disconnect the line from the speedo gauge and blow back with some compressed air. I've had to do this with my boat and it worked. I hope my thoughts help you. I always try a few ideas of my own before I take my boats and motors to the repair shop. I wish you the best of luck. If possible, let me know what the problem was when you get your issues resolved. Thanks.
2016-05-28 05:43:12 · answer #2 · answered by delores 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just get a GPS Speedo to fit in your original speedo mounting hole, you can buy a speedometer that acuatually uses a small GPS receiver to figure the speed instead of a pitot tube, they are a fair amount more expensive but you'll never have another plugged tube again :)
http://www.livorsi.com/catalog/gps.htm
2007-12-05 03:01:18 · answer #3 · answered by naughty_b0yee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your "speedometer" does not measure speed made good, but speed through the water. In my view pitot tubes are useless and are unreliable for the exactly the problems you encountered. Get rid of it and use your GPS. Best thing to do is to practice prudent coastal or celestrial navigation.
2007-12-04 15:31:43 · answer #4 · answered by Richard B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you use GPS speedometer for ships and boats?
It's easy install and set to your boat
From: www.tenet.com.hk
http://www.tenet.com.hk/showproduct.asp?id=121
2015-12-24 13:14:25 · answer #5 · answered by Jiang 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Welcome to the world of boating>Those are not reliable as current can change the speed by 3 mph or kts>Best use your GPS as that reads speed over ground true reading>& never needs cleaning>
2007-12-05 01:23:26 · answer #6 · answered by 45 auto 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need a gaffrig speedometer and a lift for your boat. Don't just let it sit in saltwater. That's terrible for your boat.
2007-12-05 09:33:49 · answer #7 · answered by jesse m 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no not really the are designed for fresh water and even then they still plug up. I would use the gps it is your best bet
2007-12-05 04:59:32 · answer #8 · answered by gss352 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
None I know of.
I just keep cleaning them.
2007-12-04 15:09:35 · answer #9 · answered by Bert from Brandon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋