The Hobie Mirage Speedometer uses a simple device called a Pitot tube that measures your speed in miles per hour (mph). The Pitot tube is the small hole on the front of the plastic spine that is in the water flow. When the flow of water hits the spine, or the Pitot tube, it will generate pressure that is measured by a column of water.

A red ball floating on the water will indicate your speed in miles per hour (mph). It is calibrated for a 180 lb. person in a Mirage Classic, so the read out may vary depending on the weight in the boat or the depth of the mechanism relative to the waterline. However, it is very sensitive and repeatable - it will tell you precisely and consistently if your speed increases or decreases.

Interesting Facts

Pitot tubes are used in many boats and planes to accurately measure speed. Its read out is completely independent of many factors, like the size of the hole on the front of the spine, the density of the water, or size of the column of water. The only variable that may decrease the accuracy is the height of the speedometer relative to the waterline. So for a given weight, the readings will be constant.

Installing Your Speedometer

Press the bottom of the clear plastic tube into the hole on the top front of the spine of the Hobie Mirage Drive. Be sure to spin the tube so the numbers are facing aft.

Note: The speedometer can only be used with later Mirage Drives that have the plastic spine as opposed to the cast aluminum spine. We started shipping these new plastic spines in August of 2001.