Accurate speedometer for drifting??

[Guest]

Can a guy buy a sonar-based speedometer without buying a whole new fishfinder graph?? I bought my Garmin before speed/temp was avail.

[Guest]

Check to see if your unit would upgrade if you replace the transducer with a unit that has speed.

If not you can add a speed gauge separately in-dash or on the top of your council. Bass-Pro or Boating World should have them in stock?

A low-tech answer to drift speed monitoring is a dangle pendulum system that was used years ago for accurate drift speed indication. I have one yet someplace?

Eagle Claw made them and they worked very well. They consist of a plummet weight and a dial that reads your speed. A very simple, low cost, and accurate method to measure trolling or drift speeds.

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Backwater Eddy..><,sUMo,>

Backwater Guiding
"Ed on the RED"
(701)-281-2300

[email protected]

http://home.talkcity.com/ResortRd/backwtr1/index.html

[Guest]

Do you have a GPS? Its the most accurate.

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MILLE LACS AREA GUIDE SERVICE
651-271-5459 http://fishingminnesota.com/millelacsguide/
click here

[Guest]

I will "Second" what D-Man said! GPS is the only way to go, if you really want to know!!ScottS

[Cove]

I see your question had to do with speed while drifting. All the more reason to use GPS. The sonars use a paddle wheel which assumes you are moving through the water nose first and often the drift is all or partially sideways. Likewise the forced water speedometers and, I imaging, the old fashioned method mentioned with the arm.
On the 5th it seemed we were drifting fast out on Sloppy's but the GPS said only 1.5 mph. Caught fish too so it was the "right speed".
Of course there is one more variable and that is the current. When trolling on Great Lakes with downriggers need to be more aware of this. I don't think bouncing it would make a difference drifting on Mille Lacs.

[Grabs]

Those paddle wheels with the sonar units are terribly inaccurate. Yesterday we were crusing at full throttle across Mille Lacs, calm water too none the less. And the sonar said 56 MPH and the GPS read 38MPH. Now a 1700 Lund Pro Sport w/115 Johnson, with 3 guys and gear could never reach 56 MPH, so never, never trust your sonar speed. GPS is the only accurate method for measuring speed.

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[This message has been edited by Grabs (edited 07-08-2002).]