Speed log recomendations

[Peter Jenny]

I have to replace the speed log on my Frisco Flyer. Do any of you have a brand that you recomend or perhaps more important dont recomend?

[Ric in Richmond]

I rarely use mine. Instead using GPS. I have an antique DATAMARINE.

GPS an option for you?

Ric

[Tim]

It can be handy to have both types of readouts. GPS provides the most accurate overall speed reading, but it's over the ground and doesn't give you an indication of what the current might be doing.

With a traditional knotmeter you can see your speed through the water which, in conjunction with a GPS reading, provides an interesting correlation, if nothing else.

Knotmeter impellers are notorious for clogging with saltwater marine growth, causing them to stop working after a month or so. In fresh water, this is probably not an issue.

I have a Horizon 150 speed log which has been adequate. It was not overly expensive. This particular unit also incorporates the depthsounder in the same display.

[Ric in Richmond]

I'd also recommend that you look for something that will interface as a package even though you may not buy it all at once.

Many of the new systems use NMEA and Raymarine uses their own version called seatalk and can get NMEA inputs.

For example I can interface my Garmin GPS with NMEA output to my RAymarine ST4000 autohelm and it will follow a course to a waypoint and it will also follow a track correcting for current.

The Raymarine instruments will interface with the autohelm and will provide info to the GPS.

When I replace my antique log I will likely get a Raymarine depth/speed unit that will synch up with everything else.

Just make sure you don't buy a piece without thinking it through its logical conclusion.

[Todd Dunn]

I switched to a Raymarine ST-40 bi-data three years ago. It works very well and has not two, but 4 functions - speed, depth, water temp and log. It consumes very little power, which is nice. I think they sell for about $240 now including the transducers.

For Tim - I have painted my speedo paddle wheel with Petit water based anti-fouling paint for the last couple of years. It has worked all season each year since installation. Of course, that may be partly due to cool water temps adound MDI, which would contrast with the tropical waters in southern Maine. I paint the paddle wheel by literally dipping it in the paint. I free it up after the paint dries.

TD

[Peter Jenny]

Thank you all. This is just the information that I needed. This forum is such a great resource!!

Pete