speedometer pickup tube

[wswaneyw]

Getting ready to install a speedometer pickup tube on my 83 glassstream boat. Question is: It has a stepped hull,,, do i put it at the lowest point of the boat or does it matter? Any help would be great. I believe it should go at the lowest point so that it should be in the water at all times,, just want to verify,,, thanks wayne

 

[masterp]

Re: speedometer pickup tube

I don't think it really matters. It's more important to beable to access it relatively easily just incase debris should get stuck in it.

 

[scotiany]

Re: speedometer pickup tube

Have you considered a GPS. No drilling or routing and a lot more accurate plus it tells you where you are.

 

[Boatist]

Re: speedometer pickup tube

Wayne<br />I would consider the starting point to be 18 inches from motor on the starboard side. Really today I would say dont use a speedometer but go with a GPS for over the ground speed and if you need to know water speed use a paddle wheel pickup attached to your depth finder. Pickup tube needs to be in the flow of water at all times so at speed look over the back and find the green water area and put it there. Many outboards have a speed puckup tube built in and I think even some sterndrives.

 

[brent suzkui wyble j16]

Re: speedometer pickup tube

Scotiany, what GPS (cheap) do you think, dont need to know where i am, but want to just check speed.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: speedometer pickup tube

Brent,<br />If you just want a cheap GPS that tells speed, which they all do, I would just get an older Magellan or Garmin off E-Bay. Like this:<br /><br /> Magellan<br /><br />Maybe this one:<br /><br /> Magellan Blazer

 

[SCO]

Re: speedometer pickup tube

How much can it step up? Therein lies the answer to ur question. If you put it at the bottom of the v on the transom, the pitot tube pickup will have no protection from trailer rollers or the beach. I'd move it as far laterally as practical with consideration of the trailer rollers. You could by yourself secure a videocam on the transom and video to find out how much it steps up at speed.

 

[wswaneyw]

Re: speedometer pickup tube

I mounted the p\u tube on the starboard side. The tube has 3 positions that will kick-up in case i hit something. It should stay in the water at all times and i guess if it does come out of the water i should probably slow down. GPS great idea, just not in this project boats budget. Thanks to all