Boat: 1989 Pearson 31
Engine: Yanmar 2GM20F
Pedestal: Edson
Problem: Advancing the throttle from idle is very difficult. I can get full throttle/max RPM, but it is not easy, nor is it quick, which makes maneuvering in tight quarters more challenging. It’s hard to get a quick burst of throttle to kick the stern over. The throttle moves very easily from any throttle position back to idle.
Investigation: I disconnected the throttle control cable at the engine. Thus freed, the throttle control moves freely. Next, checked the speed control lever at the engine. It appears to have a very heavy spring. Had to push pretty hard to get it to advance to the max speed setting, then it sprang back on its own with no help from me.
Forum searches turn up lots of similar issues. I suspect that my problem is actually the result of the PO’s fix for a throttle creep problem. It seems like I will have to either settle for throttle creep and easier throttle manipulation (bungee cord seems to be the fix there) or my current situation with no creep, but difficult throttle movement.
Questions: Has anyone encountered this problem and successfully resolved it? It seems to be a bad combination of a short throttle lever arm at the pedestal and a strong spring at the speed control lever at the engine. I’m tempted to try to counter the speed control lever spring with another spring at the engine oriented in the opposite direction, but am concerned that this could introduce problems of its own. Any possibility for increasing the leverage at either end or reducing spring strength? Or do I just use a bungee like everyone else?
Engine: Yanmar 2GM20F
Pedestal: Edson
Problem: Advancing the throttle from idle is very difficult. I can get full throttle/max RPM, but it is not easy, nor is it quick, which makes maneuvering in tight quarters more challenging. It’s hard to get a quick burst of throttle to kick the stern over. The throttle moves very easily from any throttle position back to idle.
Investigation: I disconnected the throttle control cable at the engine. Thus freed, the throttle control moves freely. Next, checked the speed control lever at the engine. It appears to have a very heavy spring. Had to push pretty hard to get it to advance to the max speed setting, then it sprang back on its own with no help from me.
Forum searches turn up lots of similar issues. I suspect that my problem is actually the result of the PO’s fix for a throttle creep problem. It seems like I will have to either settle for throttle creep and easier throttle manipulation (bungee cord seems to be the fix there) or my current situation with no creep, but difficult throttle movement.
Questions: Has anyone encountered this problem and successfully resolved it? It seems to be a bad combination of a short throttle lever arm at the pedestal and a strong spring at the speed control lever at the engine. I’m tempted to try to counter the speed control lever spring with another spring at the engine oriented in the opposite direction, but am concerned that this could introduce problems of its own. Any possibility for increasing the leverage at either end or reducing spring strength? Or do I just use a bungee like everyone else?
