checking speeds on the water

[Lynno62]

Hi, I just got a boat this spring,14'with a 6hp motor, how do you tell how fast you are going. with out any electronics?

also for a newbie what would you recomend for electronics without spending a lot of $$$$ as I am not working at the time. thanks

[Daze Off]

No way that I know of to tell you unless you have a friend with handheld GPS or know someone with a boat with a speedometer who is willing to "clock" you - although with a 6 hp a calendar might be a better tool....just joking with ya'..

Have fun with it and be safe!

Daze Off

[Lynno62]

would a hand held GPS unit do that? what would you a recommend?

thank you

[PierBridge]

Any working GPS would do the Job, Lowrance, Garmin, Maggelan all have small hand helds for around a $100.

[IFallsRon]

I've seen plans to make a speedometer using something that looked like an upside-down protractor with a stick or string that would go in the water. You'd hang the device on the side of your boat and the drag would move the stick or string and where it crossed marks on the scale would note how fast you were going. You could make one and calibrate it to a known speedometer.

[Lynno62]

pierBridge,

thanks for the input. which would you recomend? have you heard of the Lowrance H20 non color? would that work for checking the speeds?

thank you

[Sandmannd]

H20 non color is a good unit. I got mine used for $100.

[BoxMN]

Ditto on the h20. Add a Navionics or Lakemaster chip, and it doubles as your "depth finder" as well, or pretty darn close. Works great for ice fishing as well.

[Lynno62]

Thank you Guys,

Going to check out the H20 now. thanks again.

[Deitz Dittrich]

handheld is the way to go... and then you have it for many other uses as well...

not that I thought it was funny.. but almost spit pepsi on my monitor at the calendar comment....

[Questor]

For electronics I recommend an Eagle 320 depth finder with the speedometer and water temperature option. It's worth saving up for. It's not very expensive either.

[sparcebag]

Lynno I've a 14' barebones alum.with a 7.5hp Johnson.My calender clockes me alone in the boat at 5.8 MPH I do feel its faster with a second person.So if ya see me acomin I will slow down I wont cut ya in half!

[Nate McVey]

I clocked my 14' aluminum with a 25 horse at 27 mph on a calm day with two of us, using a Garmin Etrex........kind of cool to find out how fast it goes.

[Lynno62]

Thank you for the help guys.

What is a calender and how does it work for checking speeds?

I checked out the H20 the local sports shop only had color and that was 279. with another 100+for the chip for it.

[sparcebag]

The calender was a sarcastic remark,refering to how slow a small motored boat travels.I just went along with it,And you should check out used GPS units,try them then decide later if you need more bells and whistles.

[sparcebag]

The calender was a sarcastic remark,refering to how slow a small motored boat travels.I just went along with it,And you should check out used GPS units,try them then decide later if you need more bells and whistles.

[Flaco651]

Quote:

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I checked out the H20 the local sports shop only had color and that was 279. with another 100+for the chip for it.

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A buddy of mine picked up a new H2Oc w/ the chip during the ice fishing season and it is incredible. I picked up a used magellan unit for $50. Its not nearly as nice, but works for what I need it for.

[Lynno62]

I plan on getting one just probably need to get back to work.

I picked up a eagle cuda 168 depth finder with temp. I wanted a fish finder depthfinder temp thing also so will go with this for now. at least it shows the structure of the lake and will make it a little easier for trolling and i thats what i want to get into. i can quess on the speed for now. if there hungry they will bit. by the by i did catch a 20" 4+lb bass yesterday just drifting with a sucker minnow. thank you guys for all the help.

[Fishin4Life]

I clocked my 14' with an 18hp on it at 23 mph with one guy in the boat. Three people in it I can get 14 mph and a nice bath while driving!

Then when the motor dies and you get pulled in by a crazy man it can probably hit 30, but I wouldn't know I was hanging on for dear life! (True story)

[lotsofish]

I have a 16' lund with a 35 and a 6, with the 6 I can get 5.3 mph, so your 14' would probably be around 6-6.5 I guess.

[Shack]

The original hand held Garmin 12 should be very cheap. I bought one at a pawn shop 6 or 7 years ago for about $70.00, now a days with everything "map" you should be able to get one under $40 or $50 bucks. Maybe even less.

I figure GPS speed is more acurate than the distance in feet from your way point. Anyone else know?