C310 single control lever conversion

[Ed Boudreau]

Has anyone attempted to convert the Catalina dual control system to the new Edson single control system?

 

[Jim]

Why

I have a 310 also, but I am totally happy with the dual lever set up. I've never tried a single lever control. What are the advantages?

 

[Ed Boudreau]

Several Reasons

1. I think it will be easier for my wife to handle one lever to control both the transmission and engine rpm.2. When docking it has been simpler to deal with only with lever and the wheel, vs. two and the wheel.

 

[roger]

being single

I used a single lever in the British Virgin Islands on a charter. I loved it. I would be curious what the cost might be.

 

[Matt]

Common on other types of boats

The single lever control is very common on competition ski boats and other power/sail boats. I believe that it is a much better setup then the dual control, in that when you really need to change directions fast, you only have one lever to deal with.I found that it took me quite awhile to get used to two levers after using a single lever for years, and I would go back to a single lever again. I have been looking at the new single lever setup by Edson myself, with the idea that I will switch to it eventually.The other thing that it would probably alleviate is the shift lever hitting on the console. That one is a real bother.

 

[Jeff]

Edson kit

I spoke to an Edson rep at Strictly Sail in Chicago last winter. He had 2 alternatives. One was a white plastic single-lever pod that attached to the binnacle guard tube. It looked a little awkward. The other was a single lever conversion that looked a bit cleaner, more like our double lever minus one. I could be wrong, but I think both required replacing the binnacle guard tube with a larger 1 1/8" diameter.The pod was somewhere in the $300 to $500 range. Alternative 2 was even more expensive.Jeff C320 #545 Idlewild

 

[Ed]

Rodger on the Edison Kit

The "pod" conversion you mention is in the Edison web site and the price you mention seems about right (plus install labor).I will let you know as we move forward with this which way we go with the conversion.