185 Sport speedometer failure

[cmassa]

I have a 2005 185 Sport with the 4.3 V6. I cannot get the speedometer to read correctly. The pickup is clear, I can blow air from both ends easily. I replaced the connector where it attaches to the lower unit. I have replaced the pitot tube from the transom to the gauge. I can't really tell how to replace the tube behind the transom as I can't really see the connector on the outside. Regardless, I can't find any leaks. My speedometer always reads 10-15 mph slow. I've been using my smartphone but I'm getting afraid that I'll drop it in the lake one of these days.

Has anyone had the speedometer itself go bad? I guess I'd have to try and find a new one. Has anyone switched to a GPS based speedometer like this:

http://www.waterskis.com/precision-p/mastercraft_gps_speedometer.htm

Expensive but not going to have the problems of a pitot based speedometer.

Chris

 

[beernutz]

I just got a suction mount for my phone, which also works in my car, and have used a free Andoid app called Ulysse Speedometer so I won't have to worry about dropping the phone in the water. I only tried Ulysse to see how accurate the boat's speedo was and they turned out to be pretty close, 1-2 mph apart, but I don't run the phone app full time. Can't beat free though.

 

[cmassa]

I'm not too worried about dropping the phone in the water while in the boat. I just put it in the drivers cup holder and I can easily see it. I turn off Bluetooth, wifi, cell to save battery (no cell service anyway at the lake) and just leave it on while out in the boat. My worry is when I'm going out to the boat which is moored off the beach that I'll drop it. I have a free speedometer app which works great, it's just nice having the one on the boat working.

BTW - we just added a swim platform like yours and love it.

Chris