connecting rudder to outboat

[sailboat738]

just bought a 96 23.5
but just moving from it to my slip was very hairy having to use both the out board and the tiller
is there a way i can hook them to together so i dont have to juggle both hands

 

[sesmith]

There are kits for that, but I just leave my motor pointed straight ahead and use the tiller for steering. There are times when adjusting the motor also is helpful, but those are few and far between for us. We usually don't bother.

 

[isaksp00]

I do the same as sesmith. I find it fairly easy when needed to twist the motor, as I sit on the port side when steering near docks. You will need to be able to reach the throttle and shifter in any case, unless you have a remote cable. I would think there are times you don't want the motor turning.

 

[teacher63]

motor

I have a 4cycle 5 hp. It has a way to lock it in any direction. I hardly unlock it and just use the rudder.

I do the same as sesmith. I find it fairly easy when needed to twist the motor, as I sit on the port side when steering near docks. You will need to be able to reach the throttle and shifter in any case, unless you have a remote cable. I would think there are times you don't want the motor turning.

 

[teacher63]

motor oops!!!

The motor is a 5 hp Honda.

I have a 4cycle 5 hp. It has a way to lock it in any direction. I hardly unlock it and just use the rudder.

 

[sailboat738]

thank you guys i will try and lock it down

 

[Lucky Day]

I recently installed an EZ Steer (Steering Buddy) on my hunter 260 from my helm to the outboard so they track togeather, the steering is very positive now and the motor tracks with the helm when steered.

http://www.marinetechproducts.com/pages/EZSteerHome

 

[Ashley]

I 2nd the ez-steer, works great and very easy to disconnect when you want to sail without the extra load on the wheel/tiller. Boat will spin a nice tight circle when the two turn together. You'll be docking like Capt. Ron in no time

FWIW, seems like I remember this topic a few years ago and several posters were making their own homemade verisons pretty cheap. Might be a treasure or 2 in the archives...

 

[cephius (Dave)]

Cabela's has a $32 motor connector that I installed with a single hole to drill on the H260.

Here's the link to that product.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boat...Rprd700014&WTz_l=SBC;BRprd700014;cat104602680

 

[John23883]

Home made tiller connection

Here's what I did with two eye-bolts and a piece of stainless rod. I used someone else's idea of not connecting it at the tiller but just drop the rod in and can take it out to tilt the motor or to put away for trailering.
This is a remote unit motor so it has a plate on it for connecting that I put the eye-bolt in, but I would guess that a tiller unit might have the place to attach the plate if you wanted.

 

[jimfrankelly]

Connecting Rudder to Outboard

just bought a 96 23.5
but just moving from it to my slip was very hairy having to use both the out board and the tiller
is there a way i can hook them to together so i dont have to juggle both hands

I have had a connection between the rudder & outboard on both of my boats, including the current 2002 Hunter 270. I would not want to be without that connection, as it works beautifully and is a safety aid in difficult conditions when docking. I bought the stainless steel connecting rod from West Marine for about $70. It takes a bit of work to set up the connecting rod system, but it is worth it.