PP install on 21v

[dschock]

I ordered PP WB Pro for my '00 21v and I've got a couple questions. Where should I put the paddlewheel? I'm thinking I'll do it right under the removable back seat, on the port side slightly behind the gas tank. (sorry, long description) Does that sound about right?

Also, I have my cd deck in the dash, so I'm supposed to replace the tach with the PP, but I'm wondering if I will miss my tach. Anyone replace the tach with the PP? Do you miss it?

Thanks in advance

[Tige M.D.]

i think you should replace the speedo with the pp, seeing that the pp has a speedo in it.
the location for the paddle wheel sounds good. i think if you contact perfect pass they can suggest where to drill your hole. basically you don't want ANY turbulence affecting the wheel. also make sure you don't drill through the bottom of the boat to find that you just drilled into a trailer bunk. trust me, it happens.

[dschock]

Replace the speedo? That's an interesting idea. The dealer I ordered it from said to replace the tach because the PP has a tach in it, so I guess I could go either way. I think I would rather not lose either, though, if I don't have to.

I'm trying to come up with another place to mount the PP display. I am considering mounting the PP on the side, as marked with the red circle in the picture below. If I did I might add a little collar so it sticks out a little bit, finished off with matching black vinyl. Unfortunately the boat is in storage so I'm going to have to wait on that decision until it's back home.

About the paddlewheel. I've checked the spot for mounting it and there is nothing in front of it or near it that could cause turbulence. It also IS clear of the trailer bunks. Plus, I think I'll be drilling from the outside to keep the fiberglass from spidering, so I wouldn't be able to hit a bunk anyways.

I was just asking to see if anyone has a PP paddlewheel in their 21v to see if my idea was on the same page as other people (including dealer installs).

Let me know what you think of the idea for mounting the PP on the side. Do you need to see the screen while you're pulling someone or just to set it up?

[Tige M.D.]

be very careful cutting into the black dash vinyl. it is stretched on there and could cause problems if cut. we have mounted the gauge a little lower down on the grey panel. customers have regretted having it put there. too hard to use. last thing you want to do is look down instead of in front of you.
the wakeboard pro can be switched from rpm to speed or speed to rpm. i personally would ditch the speedo. most likely it is clogged up half the time and when it does work you can't calibrate it. besides, the tach has your engine hour meter in it.
if you do deside to mount it on the side, there are some custom aluminum bezels you can buy that angle the gauge. might be easier to read.

[dschock]

Ya, If I mount on the side I'm planning on cutting an X and peeling back as carefully as possible, not just drilling the actual size out of the vinyl. I also have been looking at many different angled bezel possibilities, but think that making a custom one might end up looking cleaner, especially if the mount isn't perfectly flat. I think I might be covering all of the gray dash "trim" with seat-matched tan vinyl, in which case I would do the custom PP mount in that color as well.

I've never used PP, so I don't know about mounting it out of line of sight of driving. Do you want to be able to see it clearly while driving? Thanks again

[lee]

You will want to look at the PP all the time. The speedo on the PP will be more accurate than the stock speedo, it uses a paddle wheel instead of a pick up tube that tends to clog.

[joe8395]

Ditch the speedo and use the PP, more accurate and you will want to have it right in front of you.

[dschock]

What about when you're not using the PP... is there a way to have the PP display the speed? Not that it really matters that much when you're not towing someone. Anyone know?

Lee and Joe, did you guys replace your speedo with PP?

[joe8395]

Yes I repalced the speedo with PP, when the PP control is off it still gives you a speed reading. On the display itself the right side is your actual speed and the left side is the speed you have it set for. When you have the control off the left side shows 0.

Also, the PP will give you water temp (my girlfriend really likes that for some reason) and battery volt as well as an hour meter.

The speedo's you have in right now are crap compared to what PP will give you for accuracy. Just my two cents...don't tear into your boat for the PP gauge.

[dschock]

joe, thanks for the info... i know what you're talking about, those pitot tube speed pickups are horrible, and apparently only accurate in about a 10mph range... not to mention they get clogged and sometimes filled with water.

Thanks again, D

[stanley]

I have a 1999 21v and replaced the tach with pp as per Perfect pass tech. The digital speedo directly in front of you is the only way to go. The pp matches perfectly and looks a
like a factory install.
I put the paddle on the starboard side just off to the side and behind the center drain. Works great!