I wonder what it could be...

[lekmedm]

When I bought my boat this year, it was already in the water, so I didn't get to see anything that was below water level. One thing that wasn't working on the boat was the speedometer, but now that it's out of the water, I've figured out with the help of this board what the pitot is, what it looks like, and what it does. By the way, I'm going to have to clean or replace this thingy in the spring, and hopefully, my speedo will work (it would be nice).

Anyway, located just a few inches to one side of the pitot is some other doo-dad, and I wish I knew what it was and what it is for. Basiclly, this unit has kind of a small 4 paddle wheel that seems it should rotate as the boat moves forward. There is a wire that pokes throught the transom and comes down to this unit. I wish I had pictures. Initially, I thought this was the sensor for the speedometer. Any ideas? I'm trying to see if I can find any pictures on the internet to demonstrate.

 

[fishmen111]

Re: I wonder what it could be...

Sounds like the type of speed sender that normally comes with a non-gps fishfinder.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: I wonder what it could be...

yep a paddle wheel for speedo, rather than a pitot.

 

[lekmedm]

Re: I wonder what it could be...

Sounds like the type of speed sender that normally comes with a non-gps fishfinder.

Aha! That makes sense. I didn't think that fishfinders had speed sensors on them. Thanks!

So here's another question... maintenance...? Does this type of sensor require regular maintenance? That little speed paddle doo-dad didn't spin freely when I tried turning it, although I guess I loosened it up a bit by turning it. The unit as a whole is also on a hinge, I guess so that it doesn't break off if you hit something. Do these places require lube? What kind?

 

[fishmen111]

Re: I wonder what it could be...

Not really. Occasionally they will catch a piece of debris in the paddle, but other than that, basically maintanence free. I actually prefer using the fishfider while under way. You get get depth, speed and bottom trend at the same time. Usually they also have a temp sensor in the bracket assembly that can be useful.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: I wonder what it could be...

Is there a fish finder on the boat? If so what kind is it?

 

[ziggy]

Re: I wonder what it could be...

sounds to me like you have two methods of obtaining speed.
one through the fishfinder paddle wheel, the other the pitot. probably need to find out which one is feeding the info to the speedo at the dash...
fwiw... if ya really wanna know how fast your going, get a gps...
i don't have a speedo on my boat... just a tach...

 

[Silvertip]

Re: I wonder what it could be...

Nearly every fish finder/locator except for the entry level versions has speed capability. Since this boat has both a pitot and the paddle wheel, the paddle wheel is for the speed capability in the locator.

 

[lekmedm]

Re: I wonder what it could be...

Thanks guys!

Yes, there is a fishfinder on the boat. Sorry, b ut I don't remember the brand. I didn't realize it could measure speed as well. I guess it might help to read the manual... Actually, I don't use it for fishing. I use it as fishmen111 mentioned, to guage the depth of the water. Many places where I boat are relatively shallow.

Yes, I have a GPS. It's a portable Garmin. Regardless, I just like it when things work the way they should, which is why I will try to get the speedometer guage working as well.

Now, if I could figure out why my trim guage doesn't work...