2000/2001 Ski Nautique, how to access pitot holes inside

[Fast351]

So I'm trying to figure out how to add a new water temp sensor to my boat, and before deciding to just say screw it and get a through hull depth/temp sender, I would like to evaluate doing an in hull depth transducer with a temp sender on the transom. I would want to use the existing pitot tube hole (since the pitot pickups are no longer used) but I cant for the life of me figure out how to access those on the inside of the hull.

 

I pulled the rear seat, and it looks like to get at it you have to pull the gas tank and the cover over the gas tank, which involves removing the side (comb) pad. That's an awful lot of work, I think I'd rather just drill a 2" hole.

 

Can anyone confirm that this is the approach to access those tubes, or tell me the shortcut way of accessing them, because I'm not finding it.

 

[rockdog]

I'm assuming it's the same as my '97 although I don't know what the cover over the tank is. So yes, removing the tank is the only way, which is a pretty painful experience I think. All hoses on top and wiring need to come off. If you were thinking of doing a steering cable any time soon or repacking the rudder, now is the time to do it as well.

[jpattigr]

You can also add a Tee to the inlet water house from the raw water intake. Take a Plumbing Tee, bond the temp sensor in the Tee and cut the hose. Works great, water is constantly being drawn in. I did this on my old boat and it was perfect.