troubleshooting Speedo (on older Bavaria yachts)

[MGresty]

Would some kind salt please tell me where the speedo sensor for the binnacle mounted (Sea-Talk) display is located on pre-2000 Bavarias. I presume it is a pitot tube, maybe out-letting somewhere in the transom but I am having trouble locating it for some reason. The speedo did not work when I first bought the boat a couple of years ago and then worked briefly after I had the boat lifted and cleaned. Unfortunately I was not present to observe this operation. Where I am berthed in the Med the water is warm and still and there is very rapid build up of sea flora and fauna which, I presume, rapidly blocks the sensor. Any relief of my ignorance would be much appreciated.

 

[jwilson]

It's not a pitot tube: it will almost certainly be a speed/log paddlewheel in the bilge, probably under a floorboard near the forward bulkhead. On sailing yachts you don't usually call it a speedo.

You unscrew the top part of the fitting and lift out the paddlewheel, letting an inch and half-ish hole appear in the bottom of the boat. Water will come spouting in. DON'T PANIC - it's quite normal and you won't sink. Everyone does this every week or two if they want the log to keep working.

There should be a blanking cap. If not get someone to put their hand over the hole while you clean up the paddlewheel, and put it back the way round it was before. there is usually an arrow on the top to guide you. The bit that comes out looks like http://www.imarineusa.com/images/products/display/312754.1.gif

 

[[29051]]

Ours was exactly as jwilson describes (on our 2001 Bavaria 34) but it was located under the forepeak bunks. Very easy to find once you get the cushions and boards up. It was just aft of the water tank. There was a blanking plug attached to the fitting ready to use. It only needed cleaning mid season if the boat had been unused for a while, but that was in Turkish waters where there wasn't much growth. Usually it was jammed with calcium from sea worm tunnels. A toothbrush and some lemon juice or vinegar soon cleaned it up.

If you google 'bavaria yacht owner's manual' plus your boat type you should find a pdf for your boat. It's fairly basic but certainly has diagrams for locating the speed log.

 

[nigelmercier]

Depends which model of Bavaria, on my 47 the log is in the locker at the aft end of the forward starboard cabin. Actually it is literally in the locker, as it is almost useless.

By the way, see my signature, you will probably find someone there with the exact same boat.

 

[Laysula]

We have a 1994 350 and it is under the forward bunk.

 

[Tranona]

On all the smaller boats with conventional forecabins it is under the bunk.