Purpose of two speedometers???

Just a stupid random question. What is the purpose of having 2 speedometers?? I know it has something to do with skiing but i'm not sure exactly what there for.

It dates back to competitive slalom skiing to ensure that the slalom course was run at the same speed every time. Do the current competition ski boats have two since Perfect Pass and other speed control devices are out there?

I always thought it was for when you were turning

Thanks, I am not sure about the new ski boats either.

I think it is so you can go twice as fast!

It is from the competition ski days and 2 speedos was required in the event one malfunctioned during a pass.

Twice the odds of having one actually work.

The pitot tubes clog fairly easily and have other temporary failure modes. Lots of things will make them read low so you pick whichever one reads highest or at least looks more reasonable.

Newer boats still have dual pitot tubes but they both feed into a single display unit, which converts to digital and then it decides which one to use (although I am not impressed with the job it does).

I thought most new boats had a paddle wheel for there speedos.

To fill the hole where PerfectPass belongs

95% of new ski boats will have perfectpass w/ 1 speedo. PerfectPass was designed for skiing the course (A slalom skier takes his "pass" through the course - hence PerfectPass). The speedo's are actually useless and not even used by slalom skiers. PerfectPass is much more complex for 3 event skiing, it really has taken away the need for a speedo at all.

Someone should think of something else to put in its place.