Need Outboard Shift Extender

[GGordonWoody]

Maneuvering our 8+ ft wide ship into our 10- ft slip means working the shifter quite a bit during docking. The engine is mounted low on the starboard side, so returning becomes a cardiovascular exercise (squat - stand - panic!).

Here is a pic of the tiny shift lever on the 1994 Johnson 9.9. I was wondering if anyone in the SBO world has found/engineered a replacement, extension, or remote to allow standing at the helm while docking. Thanks!

 

[isaksp00]

You may want to look at (join) the forums on iBoats (iBoats.com), which is oriented heavily toward outboards, with brand specific forums.

 

[GGordonWoody]

Thanks Peter, I'll give that a try.

 

[Capt jgw]

I made one once. It was on an old beat up motor that I didn't care about the looks of, I don't think I'd do it on a nice one. It's up to you.
I took a piece of SS rod, about 3/16" diameter. Threaded one end and bent a ring into the other for a grip. Drilled a hole in the shift lever to accept the threaded rod. Drilled a hole in the side of the motor cover to take an eye bolt, positioned so that the rod , running through the eye bolt to the shifter is pointed in the right direction. That and a piece of pipe on the twist grip throttle got my controls up where I could reach them. A real remote control was not an option on that motor.
Of course some of the better motors like Yamaha have an electric throttle/shift that you can remove, add an extension cable, and mount anywhere you want.

 

[Daveinet]

For that size boat, you could always go electric. A 24 volt trolling motor would work well. Tons better control when docking.

 

[Benny17441]

We have a Nissan 9.8 and we use a pair of pressure plyers as a shifter. Works so well we have never bothered to find a replacement part. The boat may have a beam of 8' but it is not wide at all at the bow. Just get it in between the pylons and guide it home by hand.

 

[GGordonWoody]

I don't think I'd do it on a nice one

Ha! That actually sounds pretty nice - I'd buy one for sure. I don't think the plastic handle could be tapped, but I could have a new handle machined, then do what you said. There are lots of these boats still out there, I can't believe more folks don't have this issue. Thank you Captain.

 

[GGordonWoody]

A 24 volt trolling motor would work well

Thanks Dave, I'll be checking into that. I like the idea of electric, just not the worry over keeping the battery charged. And since the ship is new to me (read: total noobies), I might need to motor out of situatations and having that trusty pull start is a blessing.

 

[GGordonWoody]

we use a pair of pressure plyers as a shifter

A-ha! Thanks Benny. By "pressure plyers", do you mean vice-grips? For now we stuck a 2' piece of 2" pvc over the damn thing. You can imagine what that looks like, ugh, plus it really doesn't promote a solid feel. The motor has a stalling problem getting into gear, and the electric start is in-op. I didn't really know all of these things until I got her in and had to start relying on the motor. And you're 100% right about getting her nose in, in fact, we did that yesterday, and then grabbed a long line I tied to the forward end of the slip, and bungeed on the back post. I also have bow and stern lines rigged and ready to throw, and a pair of huge fenders, and oh yeah, 100% dock edge (other side is 108" x 24' pontoon). I love this boat and I want to keep her safe and sound. Thanks man.