What is the best way to motor - should one lock the out board in the straight forward position and use the tiller or the other way around?
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Tim
Pretend you are a big boat
You'll get very satisfactory results "locking" the motor (increasing friction on the steering swivel) and using the tiller/rudder - pretend you have an inboard. Anytime water is moving over the rudder, it should give you great directional control. When attempting to jockey around in reverse, all bets are off, and consider directing the prop thrust using the motor steering. It can get complicated and seem a little like patting your head and rubbing your stomach, so try to only adjust one at a time. On my previous C27 with the outboard on a rack (Inamorata C27 #6111), I avoided using reverse under most any circumstance. Although I had remote throttle and shift in the cockpit, steering it from the cockpit was a real bear. I just left it "locked" straight ahead, and learned how to control the boat as if it was an inboard. Good Luck! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
You'll get very satisfactory results "locking" the motor (increasing friction on the steering swivel) and using the tiller/rudder - pretend you have an inboard. Anytime water is moving over the rudder, it should give you great directional control. When attempting to jockey around in reverse, all bets are off, and consider directing the prop thrust using the motor steering. It can get complicated and seem a little like patting your head and rubbing your stomach, so try to only adjust one at a time. On my previous C27 with the outboard on a rack (Inamorata C27 #6111), I avoided using reverse under most any circumstance. Although I had remote throttle and shift in the cockpit, steering it from the cockpit was a real bear. I just left it "locked" straight ahead, and learned how to control the boat as if it was an inboard. Good Luck! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
Lock the motor
is the way to go... Many outboard equipped boats however enjoy some motor rotation around the docks during slow speeds...
is the way to go... Many outboard equipped boats however enjoy some motor rotation around the docks during slow speeds...
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Randy Kolb
Going backwards
I have found that when backing out of the slip that I use both the motor and rudder to steer, It gives me the most control. Going forward use the rudder with the motor pointed straight ahead.
I have found that when backing out of the slip that I use both the motor and rudder to steer, It gives me the most control. Going forward use the rudder with the motor pointed straight ahead.
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Tom
Don't Forget Prop Walk
Depending on your motor, prop walk will come into play, and if the case, using both the tiller and the outboard handle are required to ease the boat out safely without whacking the pilings or another boat. Additionally, if your boat is subject to any cross winds on the freeboard, the extra control and power afforded by the outboard will make a big difference in overcoming the forces of the wind. Unfortunately, outboards are not great backing out machines, with possible exception of the new 4 strokers and the new Honda which touts releasing the exhaust bubbles above the prop thereby removing additional resistance to the operation. By the way, there is a device which cross mounts the outboard shaft to the rudder thereby allowing the tiller to move the motor in unison with one hand. The free hand can be used to wave to friends on the dock or wipe the sweat from your brow after a hairy exit. Chow.
Depending on your motor, prop walk will come into play, and if the case, using both the tiller and the outboard handle are required to ease the boat out safely without whacking the pilings or another boat. Additionally, if your boat is subject to any cross winds on the freeboard, the extra control and power afforded by the outboard will make a big difference in overcoming the forces of the wind. Unfortunately, outboards are not great backing out machines, with possible exception of the new 4 strokers and the new Honda which touts releasing the exhaust bubbles above the prop thereby removing additional resistance to the operation. By the way, there is a device which cross mounts the outboard shaft to the rudder thereby allowing the tiller to move the motor in unison with one hand. The free hand can be used to wave to friends on the dock or wipe the sweat from your brow after a hairy exit. Chow.
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Dave S.
Outboard/Tiller Connection
Tom, In your post, you referred to a device that links the rudder with the outboard. I have often thought such a thing might come in handy from time to time. Does anyone have additional information on this type of device?
Tom, In your post, you referred to a device that links the rudder with the outboard. I have often thought such a thing might come in handy from time to time. Does anyone have additional information on this type of device?
Connecting outboard and rudder
A commercial device called an EZ Steer is available. I've been using a home brewed method for eight years now that works great. I call it a soft link. Check the link
A commercial device called an EZ Steer is available. I've been using a home brewed method for eight years now that works great. I call it a soft link. Check the link
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Herb
thanks Arlyn Stewart
I had contacted one company last year about the commercial version but did not order and then i lost the information and could not find them again. so thanks a lot this got me started again/
I had contacted one company last year about the commercial version but did not order and then i lost the information and could not find them again. so thanks a lot this got me started again/
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Ted
Very Clever Arlyn
Softlink looks elegantly simple, very clever. These types of devices also used on runabouts to steer small trolling motor or "kicker" by solid link to main outboard or outdrive using ball mounts at both ends.
Softlink looks elegantly simple, very clever. These types of devices also used on runabouts to steer small trolling motor or "kicker" by solid link to main outboard or outdrive using ball mounts at both ends.
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Dick of Sylvan
Arlyn's Soft Link is Nice !
I hooked up the 5 hp trolling motor to the 115 that power's my other boat (a stinkboat with outboard) by Arlyn's fixed and bungee cord method this week. It works quite well, turns better even than the old fixed stick connection that I had been using. Even caught a striped bass at Lake Pleasant near Phoenix, while my wife drove! Dick
I hooked up the 5 hp trolling motor to the 115 that power's my other boat (a stinkboat with outboard) by Arlyn's fixed and bungee cord method this week. It works quite well, turns better even than the old fixed stick connection that I had been using. Even caught a striped bass at Lake Pleasant near Phoenix, while my wife drove! Dick
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