Gauge opinions

[gt]

New Boat on order w/2010 Yamaha F150
My first big motor, and first 4 stroke.
Gonna stick with the analog gauges.

Have speedo, tach w/hour, voltage, and fuel.

Have 2, 2" blanks I can fill.

Which 2 would you do?

Trim
Water pressure
Water temp
Oil pressure

Thanks
Gary

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Gauge opinions

Forget the trim (you can see the motor) and the seat of your pants tells you the best trim setting anyway. The other three gauges are highly recommended. Make room for the third one. If you insist on just two, oil pressure and water temp.

 

[iammarcuse]

Re: Gauge opinions

Trim for sure. Everybody uses their trim gauges. You have mental settings for holeshot, cruising, skiing.

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Gauge opinions

I agree with Silvertip for the most part. Oil pressure for sure. If you are likely to encounter weeds, kelp, plastic bags or anything else that may foul your water intakes, your first indication will be a drop in water pressure, so I would suggest a water pressure gauge as one of your selections. On the other hand, if clogged intakes are not likely to be an issue, then its a coin toss.

Someday you might wish to take advantage of the MFD's which display engine data directly from your motor's ECM. Having made the switch myself, I can say it puts all of my 2" gauges to shame. Now I have a lot of 2" holes that I wish I did not. Just something to keep in mind before you start cutting out new holes.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Gauge opinions

myself I would reccomend going with the 2 guage command link package.
initial cost is a bit more but the avalible information will make up for it.
2 square guages and you get all your fuel level,fuel flow,speed average fuel and oil and water and water pressure and water depth and surface water temp. and lots more.