hydrilla & paddlewheels

(trace) · (trace) **Join Date: Feb 2002** 02-17-2003, 8:35 PM

who uses PerfectPass or another paddlewheel based speed control in a lake that has a duckweed or hydrilla problem? is the paddlewheel prone to clogging? (relative to pitots) thanks.

(peter_c) · (peter_c) **Join Date: Sep 2001** 02-17-2003, 9:01 PM

I originally bought Perfect Pass because my pitot tubes in the Delta were clogging every five minutes, due to so much plant life floating on the water. Once installed it never skipped a beat....ever! Buy it you will not regret it....ever!

(s4inor) · (s4inor) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 02-17-2003, 10:33 PM

The private lake we run in is almost completely filled with a hydrilla like plant. It's so bad that periodically you have to throw the boat into reverse abruptly at idle speed to clear the prop.

In all the hours we've been on the lake we've never had one problem with the paddle wheel clogging.

(rodmcinnis) · (rodmcinnis) **Join Date: Sep 2002** 02-19-2003, 11:52 AM

I boat in the California Delta, which has a significant hydrilla as well as other water plant problem.

I have fouled the pitot tubes more times than I can count. I have fouled the prop a couple of times to the point I had to dive over and clear it. Once I fouled the cooling water intake and burned up an impeller.

I have never had the paddle wheel for the Perfect Pass foul.

I also have a big cruiser that has a similar paddle wheel speed sensor. Because this boat sits in the water 24/7 things tend to grow on the bottom. A couple of times I have had to pull the paddle wheel and clean out the critters that have taken up residency in there. A very simple process, I can do it and get the paddle wheel reinstalled before the boat sinks! I have never had need to remove the paddle wheel for the Perfect Pass, but I would guess it would come out just as easily.

Rod McInnis

(davidgree1) · (davidgree1) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 02-19-2003, 1:03 PM

Just use a simple Garmin GPS if you want accurate speed on a lake. They are $100.

(s4inor) · (s4inor) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 02-19-2003, 1:09 PM

Yeah, but GPS won't control the boat speed.

(Message edited by s4inor on February 19, 2003)

(whiskeytango) · (whiskeytango) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 02-19-2003, 1:51 PM

You won't have a problem with the paddlewheel unless it's too close to a keel fin. Weeds can wrap around the fin and build up until they cover the wheel.

I've had this happen on occasion. My wheel is about 8" to the side of the front fin.