speedo question replace tubing

[nmusti]

I'm in the process of purchasing my 1st boat (1991 bayliner with a 4.3L mercruiser). Owner says the speedo is not working and just needs the hose replaced. From what I've been able to research this hoses goes from the speedo to the pitot tube. Is this a special type of hose (reinforced?) or is it somehting I can pick up at Lowes and most importantly is it easy to replace?<br /><br />Thanks in advance!

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: speedo question replace tubing

It's just tubing you can get anywhere but before I replaced it because it could be a PITA to run it up to the dash I would check it out first. Pull it off the pitot and somehow blow air into it, small compressor, bike pump, whatever to see if the needle moves on the gauge, could be the pitot itself thats no good.

 

[quantumleap]

Re: speedo question replace tubing

It may just be the pitot itself that is plugged or cracked.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: speedo question replace tubing

most people dont use them anyways, they use the gps, its more accurate... if you go 40mph in a 10 mph current, your speedo will say 50 mph, get my drift

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: speedo question replace tubing

A strong "me too" on the idea of using a GPS instead of the dash gauge speedo. You can buy mounting brackets for your hand held GPS and power cables - to plug into a cigarette ligher or if you're ambitious, you can hard wire it. With the permanently mounted bracket and neatly installed wiring (or no wiring - use the batteries), it can have as nice an installation as a dash mounted fish finder. Aside from far more accurate speed in all conditions, the GPS can also give you distance traveled (even on a winding river) and some can even plug into a fuel flow meter via a standard data cable - to give you MPG readings. I'm very happy with my GPS installation (DIY -as described above).<br /><br />That said, with the exception of difficulties you may encounter in threading the tubing from the stern to the dash, all aspects of conventional speedos are easy and (relatively) cheap DIY projects. The tubing is generic. The pitot tubes are also generic. Therefore both are cheap and easy to find and replace. <br /><br />When I needed this kind of tubing (for a water pressure gauge, but very similar), I just took a sample to a local industrial tubing and hose place and they had a precise match for very little per foot. I don't know if Home Depot type stores have it. You can be pretty sure that boat shops have them, but might cost more (but that might be insignificant anyway).<br /><br />If you end up buying a new gauge, chances are the tubing as well as the pitot will come with it.<br /><br />The gauge itself, if it needs to be replaced is also fairly cheap and easy to find. The only issue would be matching existing gauges, and that depends on how exact a match you require. Generic gauges (e.g. Faria or Teleflex) come in quite a variety of faces which will either get you exact match or hopefully close enough. Often, OEM gauges are one of these generic ones, or if not, you might be able to find an exact OEM match. <br /><br />I wouldn't let a speedo issue stop the deal if yout think it's good otherwise.

 

[nmusti]

Re: speedo question replace tubing

The speedo is definitely not a deal breaker. Until I actually get to check it out I guess I'll have to wait to decide my course of action. I realize GPS is more accurate than the pitot/speedo system, but after purchasing the boat my extra funds will be limited to minor repairs and some toys. I guess if I have to replace the whole assembly, it would make sense to price out a GS vs. the entire speedo unit. If it's just a hose or pitot tube, that will probably cost under $10 and right now would make sense for the rest of the season or until I can find a deal on a GPS. <br /><br />And speaking of deals anyone know of a good place to pick up a handheld GPS I could use on the boat and elsewhere? Thanks!

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: speedo question replace tubing

Yea, I hear you. I wouldn't have bought a GPS strictly for this purpose, but have had one for years and just bought the bracket and power adapter. Now that I think of it, probably those two things cost as much as a complete pitot type speedo. (which the boat didn't have). By the way, you don't need the bracket and power supply to use it. I used mine for quite a while just putting it in a cup holder. Now it's all nice an' purdy lookin'. (and I can use the cup holder for it's intended purpose!)<br /><br />I don't know about the best value in a GPS - mine's about 10 years old, but still works (Garmin 40). I've "heard" good things about the Garmin e-trex series and I see Cabelas can get you into one of those for as little as $100. In hunting, fishing, hiking, paddling and power boating, etc. I've really never used anything more than the most basic features - speed, distance, location, marking and tracking back to waypoints. My old unit doesn't do much more than that. I think very basic mapping might be handy. A friend used it to scout and mark some hunting spots for me last year and that worked out pretty well. But I haven't really missed it.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: speedo question replace tubing

PS: if I had to chose between the GPS or even basic speedo repair and water toys (or FUEL) to make myself and the wife and kids have more fun - no contest, the toys win!

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: speedo question replace tubing

And speaking of deals anyone know of a good place to pick up a handheld GPS I could use on the boat and elsewhere? Thanks

Item number: 5705855360

 

[JasonJ]

Re: speedo question replace tubing

I use an Etrex handheld, and my pitot speedo is consistently 3 mph lower than my gps, so I just remember that when I look at the speedo. I went handheld so it could be multi useful for mountain biking and hiking and whatnot.