Speedometer vs GPS Question

[jr88fan]

Just bought a new boat and the speedometer doesn?t work. I was wondering if I should even mess with it or just buy a decent GPS? Boat is a 1987 Chaparral 198 XL

Is there any reason to have both?

Any recommendations on a good GPS for a boat? I will mostly be crusing around or fishing in the lake.

Thanks!

 

[Levinz11]

Re: Speedometer vs GPS Question

I have an iPhone mount on my dash for listening to music and I use a GPS speedometer app. My speedo is terrible and doesn't even work until we are going 25+.

There are tons of options on GPS units. I guess it really comes down to which one you can afford.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Speedometer vs GPS Question

I can't wait to see where this one goes!!!

However, your speedometer has a plastic tube on the back that runs to either a separate pitot (normally a white plastic deal) on the transom or the tube runs to the lower unit on the engine. That built in pitot often plugs with debris in the water. It may also be the tube is broken (outside the boat), kinked or is simply disconnected. If the tube were broken inside the boat your feet would get wet.

 

[jkust]

Re: Speedometer vs GPS Question

I hate to have anything with a feature not working. I'd fix it if it were my Chaparral. Plus you get warm fuzzys from the speed the dash speedo shows and the gps just throws cold water on you with the real number. My speed is about 3mph higher on the dash than GPS at WOT. It's right on below wot though. I have a garmin nuvi that I no longer need in my vehicles since each has the nav screen built in and of course the smart phones. The two things it is good for are of course speed and it tells you how many miles you've driven as well which is a fun novelty.

 

[BoatDrinksQ5]

Re: Speedometer vs GPS Question

always fun when guests look at the speedo and go whoa!

but then i of course have to set it straight and say "well its 'off by 3-5mph' on the high side"

 

[jkust]

Re: Speedometer vs GPS Question

always fun when guests look at the speedo and go whoa!

but then i of course have to set it straight and say "well its 'off by 3-5mph' on the high side"

Yeah and even 35mph feels like 50 to the uninitiated guests on the water.

 

[BoatDrinksQ5]

Re: Speedometer vs GPS Question

lol - yeah there is a spot on my speed that the speedo and gps are pretty far off...(almost 10) so its funny if they look around that speed...they always answer - "well it sure felt like 45!!!"

 

[jkust]

Re: Speedometer vs GPS Question

lol - yeah there is a spot on my speed that the speedo and gps are pretty far off...(almost 10) so its funny if they look around that speed...they always answer - "well it sure felt like 45!!!"

Makes ya feel like you bought the 270hp 5.0 Option.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Speedometer vs GPS Question

Just bought a new boat and the speedometer doesn?t work. I was wondering if I should even mess with it or just buy a decent GPS? Boat is a 1987 Chaparral 198 XL

Is there any reason to have both?

Any recommendations on a good GPS for a boat? I will mostly be crusing around or fishing in the lake.

Thanks!

Listen to Silvertip. It's your cheapest way out. What lake are you boating on that you need a GPS.

A good one is expensive but that will depend on the features.Once you made up your mind to get one then it becomes ugh ooh. I like this but i like that to.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Speedometer vs GPS Question

Having both is more valuable if you boat where there is current.

 

[jr88fan]

Re: Speedometer vs GPS Question

Thanks for all the replies! I won't really be in too many lakes where I think I might need a GPS but it's one of those things I think I would like to have just in case. Not only that but many lakes around Western PA are pretty low right now so I plan on buying one with a sounder and possibly a fish finder. I will attempt to fix the speedometer following the great advice on here. I also have a depth finder but it doesn't appear to work either but then again I'm a noob so probably operator error.