Speedos Incorrect

[peglegger]

I just bought a 99 Outback. Both speedo tubes were chewed off at the transom by a mouse over the winter. I had them spliced back, but it doesn't seem that either speedo reads correctly. I checked the pickups and they look clean.

How does the thin knob in the middle of the speedo dial work? Does this calibrate the speedo and could that be my problem? Appreciate any input.

[noneya]

The knob should allow you to tune the speedos, my dealer told me that on direct drive boats (my 01 Outback in particular) 3000 rpms = 30 mph

[outback-newbe]

my dealer told me that with my 03 outback and the 310 engine with the 4-blade prop,...you should calibrate it at 3800 rpm = 30 mph. is this correct Moomba? It seems fast.

[zabooda]

Use a GPS for accuracy, set the speedos then find the RPM you ski or board at and use that. Then you can use the speedos as a pretty decoration as their accuracy is subject after that.

[noneya]

I know about 20 people with boats, I know 0 people with a GPS, what do you use it for?

[DCM]

The GPS will give you an exact reading of your speed. It uses the information from a Satellite to track your position and rate of movement. They are fairly accurate as well. I've always been told 3000rpm/30mph, and if that is actually slower than the boat is going all the better. The wakes are flatter at faster speeds! The wake behind my Outback is non-existent at 36mph!

[barefooter]

One way to do it is this:

1. Take your boats top speed as specified by Water Ski
Magazine testers (in my case 46MPH w/4 blade prop)

2. Remove extra weight from your boat

3. Open up your throttle and calberate speedos to listed top speed...This may not be perfect, but it will get you pretty close.

[peglegger]

Any idea what top speed is for a 99 Outback with 3-blade prop? I found an old Waterski article that states 45 mph for the Outback and 42.5mph for the Kanga. Does 45mph sound like an accurate figure? I assume this is with driver only and no extra weight.

[Brian Raymond]

The Outback and Kanga have the exact same hull, only diff. is the Kanga is a closed bow version. The speeds of these boats(unwieghted) will be 42-44mph. Brian Raymond

[barefooter]

Im not sure, but i would guess 45 MPH is a good starting point.....It probably would only be off by 1 MPH in either direction.

I calberated with only the driver in the boat, a dry hull, and a nearly empty tank of gas.