Faria Beede Instruments Pitot Kit Review

Why I Chose the Faria Beede Instruments Pitot Kit: A Hands-On Review

The relentless pursuit of accurate speed readings on my small outboard motorboat often felt like chasing a phantom. My old speedometer system, cobbled together from various parts over the years, had finally decided to give up the ghost, leaving me guessing my true cruising speed. Frustrated by the guesswork and the prospect of a fishing trip where I couldn’t dial in my trolling speeds precisely, I knew it was time for a proper replacement. This led me to the Faria Beede Instruments Pitot Kit. It’s a seemingly simple piece of marine equipment, designed to be the crucial link between water flow and your boat’s speedometer.

My initial impression upon receiving the kit was one of pragmatic simplicity. The components felt solid, not overly heavy but certainly not flimsy. The black escutcheon plate felt robust, and the mounting hardware appeared to be of decent quality, ready to withstand the harsh marine environment. I had briefly considered a more generic, off-brand pitot tube, but the reputation of Faria Beede Instruments for marine instrumentation swayed me towards this option, hoping for better long-term reliability.

There was a distinct sense of relief in finally having a dedicated, complete kit to address the problem, rather than trying to piece something together again. This offered a promise of straightforward installation and, hopefully, accurate readings.

Real-World Testing: Putting Faria Beede Instruments Pitot Kit to the Test

First Use Experience

I tested the Faria Beede Instruments Pitot Kit during a weekend of fishing on a local lake. Installation was completed in my garage workshop before heading out. The kit’s universal hole pattern for the escutcheon plate made mounting to the transom straightforward, aligning easily with pre-existing holes from the old unit.

Performance in the initial use was promising. As soon as the boat hit planing speed, the needle on my Faria speedometer began to climb, registering speeds that felt consistent with my past experience. The system held steady even as I made sharp turns and adjusted throttle, indicating a reliable connection and unimpeded water flow to the sensor.

Ease of use was a significant factor here; the kit is designed for a single purpose, and it performs it without fuss. There was no complex calibration or fiddling required. The only minor surprise was the choice of tubing length, which, while offering two options, required me to trim one down to a perfect fit for my transom to speedometer line.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several weeks and multiple outings on the water, including trips in choppy conditions and through areas with floating debris, the Faria Beede Instruments Pitot Kit has held up remarkably well. There are no visible signs of degradation in the materials; the black plastic hasn’t faded significantly, and the tubing remains flexible without any kinks or signs of cracking.

Durability seems to be a strong suit for this pitot pickup. I haven’t experienced any leaks at the transom fitting or any blockages in the pitot tube itself, even when navigating through weed beds. This contrasts with previous, less robust solutions I’ve used where performance would degrade with even minor debris ingress.

Maintenance has been minimal. A quick rinse with fresh water after saltwater use is all that’s been necessary. I’ve found no reason to remove it for cleaning yet, which speaks volumes about its design and the quality of its components. Compared to other marine pitot systems I’ve encountered, this Faria Beede unit feels like a step up in terms of sheer resilience and hassle-free operation.

Breaking Down the Features of Faria Beede Instruments Pitot Kit

Specifications

The Faria Beede Instruments Pitot Kit is designed as a universal transom mount speedometer pickup. It includes an escutcheon plate and mounting hardware, with two choices of tubing length provided, catering to a range of transom depths and speedometer hose runs. This kit is engineered for use with all marine speedometers and is specifically rated for speeds through 80 mph.

The black color of the escutcheon plate offers a clean, unobtrusive look that blends well with most boat transoms. The universal hole pattern for mounting ensures compatibility with a wide array of existing installations, reducing the need for complex modifications. While specific dimensions for the tubing aren’t detailed, the inclusion of two lengths is a practical specification that aims to simplify installation for a broad user base.

Performance & Functionality

The primary job of this pitot kit is to accurately measure water pressure to drive a speedometer, and it excels at this. During my testing, the readings were consistently aligned with my subjective assessment of the boat’s speed, whether at idle trolling speeds or when cruising at hull speed. The consistent and reliable speed readings are crucial for optimizing fuel efficiency and maintaining precise lure presentations while fishing.

Its main strength lies in its simplicity and effectiveness. It does exactly what it’s supposed to do without fanfare. A potential area for improvement, though minor, would be clearer labeling or perhaps a slightly more rigid tubing option for those who anticipate more aggressive debris interaction, but for general use, its performance is excellent. It undeniably meets and often exceeds expectations for a component in this price bracket.

Design & Ergonomics

The design of the Faria Beede Instruments Pitot Kit is focused on practical functionality and marine durability. The escutcheon plate is made from a sturdy black plastic that feels like it can handle UV exposure and saltwater spray without immediate degradation. The overall build quality is good, giving the impression of a component built for the demanding marine environment.

Ergonomically, it’s a passive component; its “usability” is entirely in its installation and how it integrates with the speedometer system. The universal mounting pattern is a definite plus for ease of installation. The pitot tube itself is slender and streamlined, designed to minimize drag. There are no small annoyances in its operation, as it requires no direct interaction once installed.

Durability & Maintenance

Given its construction from robust plastics and the expectation of submersion, this pitot kit is designed for long-term use in a marine setting. I anticipate it will last for many seasons of regular boating before any significant wear becomes apparent. The materials chosen suggest good resistance to saltwater corrosion and UV degradation.

Maintenance is blessedly simple. A quick freshwater rinse after use, particularly if you’ve been in saltwater, is all that’s really needed. The tube is unlikely to require internal cleaning unless it suffers a catastrophic blockage, which seems improbable given its smooth internal bore and discreet placement. The only real concern would be physical impact from solid objects, but this is a general risk for any transom-mounted equipment.

Accessories and Customization Options

The Faria Beede Instruments Pitot Kit comes with the essential components for a complete pitot pickup system: the escutcheon plate, mounting hardware, and two lengths of pitot tubing. While no needles or other such accessories are applicable here, the crucial aspect is its compatibility. This kit is designed to work with all marine speedometers, which is a key selling point.

There aren’t significant customization options for the kit itself, as it’s a standardized replacement part. However, the inclusion of two tubing lengths offers a degree of adaptability for different boat setups. The primary “accessory” to consider would be the speedometer itself and appropriate marine-grade tubing sealant for the hose connection to the pitot tube.

Pros and Cons of Faria Beede Instruments Pitot Kit

Who Should Buy Faria Beede Instruments Pitot Kit?

This Faria Beede Instruments Pitot Kit is ideal for any boat owner with a transom-mounted mechanical speedometer that needs a replacement pitot tube or pickup unit. It’s perfect for those with older boats where the original pitot system has failed, or for anyone upgrading their instrumentation. It’s particularly well-suited for owners of smaller to medium-sized vessels that cruise at speeds up to 80 mph.

Those who should probably skip this product are individuals looking for GPS-based speedometers, which don’t require a pitot system, or those with specialized, non-standard speedometer setups. If your boat already has a robust, integrated speed sensing system, this kit wouldn’t be necessary. A complementary item that would be beneficial is a high-quality marine-grade hose clamp and possibly a small amount of sealant for the connection between the pitot tube and the speedometer hose to ensure a perfectly watertight seal.

Conclusion on Faria Beede Instruments Pitot Kit

The Faria Beede Instruments Pitot Kit is a straightforward, reliable, and effective solution for any boater experiencing issues with their transom-mounted speedometer. Its universal compatibility, durable construction, and ease of installation make it a solid choice for a wide range of applications. The price point of $31.89 offers excellent value for a component that directly impacts the usability and efficiency of your boat.

I would personally recommend this pitot kit to any boater looking for a no-nonsense replacement or upgrade. It does its job accurately and dependably, and in the realm of marine equipment, that kind of steadfast performance is exactly what you want. If your speedometer needle is stuck at zero or wildly inaccurate, this kit is likely the key to getting it reading true again.