Speedometer Guidance

[Adams]

I have twin 350's on a 30' express and the speedometer sensors are in the stern drives and don't work. I am told I need to haul out to get to them for repair but usually this has to be done almost every year. I run the boat based on RPM's but hate have guages that don't work.

Is this correct or service center garbage?
Any alternatives that you have had success with?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Speedometer Guidance

Chances are the pitots on the engines are simply clogged. Pull the tube from the back of the speedometer and apply air pressure to try and clear them. If you see bubbles at the engine, you know its clear. Just don't use so much pressure that you pop the line loose at the engine.

 

[Adams]

Re: Speedometer Guidance

I will try clearing with some air tomorrow. I did not realize you could do this. If it works I owe Silvertip a great bottle of his favorite beverage as this saves a $600 haul out that I don't need this year.

Thanks

 

[bomar76]

Re: Speedometer Guidance

and for when it happens again, have a cheap handheld gps on hand and you'll know how fast you are really going....

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Speedometer Guidance

bomar gives excellent advice. But I will add that if you see the bubbling at the drive, but the speedos still don't work, then the hoses have come off and will need to be reattached. If you knew what you were looking for and had the ability to hold your breath, you could do it without pulling the boat from the water.

 

[bekosh]

Re: Speedometer Guidance

Before spending $600 for a haul out, I'd spend about $200 for a GPS speedometer and get rid of the inaccurate stock thing.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Speedometer Guidance

Agree with bekosh, even when they do work they probably aren't acurate at all.
A GPS is always exactly right and for $600 bucks you can get a REALLY nice GPS unit with lake maps ect and it won't quit working again in a couple month like you speedo, find a nice clock or something to stick in that hole and pitch it.

 

[bekosh]

Re: Speedometer Guidance

I was thinking along the lines of a GPS replacement for the stock water pressure one. Something like one of these Livorsi GPS speedometers.
http://www.livorsi.com/catalog/gps.htm
(I would have used an iboats link, but they don't seem to carry GPS speedometers.)

But you can get a nice GPS unit with charts for that money too.

 

[Adams]

Re: Speedometer Guidance

Appreciate all the input. I am also looking for GPS/chartplotter and may kill two birds with one stone if I can also get the speedometer built in. I have to admit I really like the throw out the speedometer and put in a nice clock advice. Seems like years on the water raises practicality to an art form!