Lake temp

chambers1517

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 14, 2009
Messages
205
The lake we boat on has warm water at the dam and gets cold as you go upriver. We have to stop and check the temp to find our spot to swim. What would be the simplest way to get a reading of water temp in the boat without adding a big ugly fish finder type unit. Is there something in a round gauge to go in the dash?
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
27,840
So you plan to replace an existing gauge with the depth gauge? Which one?
 

tphoyt

Lieutenant
Joined
Jun 10, 2010
Messages
1,256
Keep it simple and toss a pool thermometer over the side. Or what ever friend ticked you off last and use their reaction to gauge temp 😂
 

chambers1517

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 14, 2009
Messages
205
Keep it simple and toss a pool thermometer over the side. Or what ever friend ticked you off last and use their reaction to gauge temp 😂
LOL. It was 88 degrees at the dam and 67 20 miles upriver. It comes out of the bottom of norris dam.
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
42,054
Maybe think out of the norm.
Depth gauge is always good to have but with no room, under the throttle, under the helm, back by rear seat, in a cup holder. Could put anywhere, running wires are easy enough
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
49,537
I would be running a depth gauge, even on Norris lake.
 

airshot

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
5,080
The lake we boat on has warm water at the dam and gets cold as you go upriver. We have to stop and check the temp to find our spot to swim. What would be the simplest way to get a reading of water temp in the boat without adding a big ugly fish finder type unit. Is there something in a round gauge to go in the dash?
Also keep in mind that currents can make the surface one temp and just a couple feet below can be a drastic change in temp. For swimming you might be better off with a hand unit, so you can check the temp about 5' below the surface. Every type of built-in temp gage is only gonna give you a surface temp.
 

chambers1517

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 14, 2009
Messages
205
I found a thread on here where a guy put the sensor on the raw water pump discharge. That may be a really good idea.
Also keep in mind that currents can make the surface one temp and just a couple feet below can be a drastic change in temp. For swimming you might be better off with a hand unit, so you can check the temp about 5' below the surface. Every type of built-in temp gage is only gonna give you a surface temp.
 
Top