oday 25 throttle to cockpit conversion

[Johnkent]

My wife and I own an Oday 25 which has an older evinrude outboard engine that requires leaning over to shift gears and adjust the throttle, needless to say it's a little awkward and is not great when you need to be looking forward, today crash landing at our dock will testify to this. I was wondering if anyone has brought a throttle control and the ability to shift gears into the cockpit. I'm fine with a tiller, and have seen "tiller to wheel conversions". I'd just like to avoid a replay of today docking experience. If this subject has been discussed before a link would be great, I did not see this subject listed.
thank you,
kent

 

[geehaw]

I have a 79 Evinrude and mine has throttle and shifting in the cockpit. A boat shop should be able to hook ya up I would think.I just bought a part for my linkage this spring. Greg

 

[Erieau]

You can likely get a "remote throttle kit" for your particular motor. It's what a powerboat uses at the helm station.
I found one for my Honda outboard, but the whole shootin' match would've cost over $600. I'm learning to do without.
Let us know what you decide.

 

[Johnkent]

Thank you Joe, I'd gladly pay $600 not to crash into my dock again, every neighbor was out on their dock today.

 

[Merlin Clark]

Here's a throttle and shifter remote to mount on the tiller:
http://powertiller.com/

 

[Johnkent]

this looks like a great solution, thank you for the info

 

[Johnkent]

power tiller

By chance do you have this on your boat or have you had any experience with using one? I've seen throttle conversion kits but this takes it one more step linking the steering to the motor/tiller, thanks again

 

[Merlin Clark]

I don't have it, I think I saw it in a post on either the O'day or Trailer Sailors forum. Might ask on one of those. The poster was happy with it.
Looks like a neat system.

 

[GeorgiaBII]

I have a throttle/shifter setup in my cockpit. Just watch ebay or craigslist until you find one for your BRAND of engine. Then it's just a matter of drilling some holes and installing it.

Mine is off a regular power boat. I just reach down and turn the key and I've got engine power.

 

[Johnkent]

thanks for the replies

 

[Johnkent]

powertiller controls

I've not heard back from powertiller yet, i hope their still in business but I did find another page for them, an installation page. It appears that the steering linkage between the tiller and the engine, seen in the powertiller videos is not part of the what they offer, I think this is ok, mainly I want the shift and throttle controls in the cockpit, having them on the tiller handle is a bonus. The engine remains straight. I realize that having both the engine and tiller working in parallel would offer more control, but I think if the engine remains straight, it will be fine. Would anyone else agree with this?
thanks
kent

 

[GeorgiaBII]

It works fine except in reverse. Backing is an adventure with mine locked straight.

 

[Johnkent]

thanks GeorgiaBII

 

[HukilauMike]

I've not heard back from powertiller yet, i hope their still in business but I did find another page for them, an installation page. It appears that the steering linkage between the tiller and the engine, seen in the powertiller videos is not part of the what they offer, I think this is ok, mainly I want the shift and throttle controls in the cockpit, having them on the tiller handle is a bonus. The engine remains straight. I realize that having both the engine and tiller working in parallel would offer more control, but I think if the engine remains straight, it will be fine. Would anyone else agree with this?
thanks
kent

One of the best things about having an outboard as the aux. is the ability to "point" the engine. Forward or reverse. It makes docking and manuvering so much easier. On my Oday 23, I can almost spin the boat on its axis by steering with the engine and rudder together. Its like having a bow thruster.

I don't have my engine and rudder physically linked; for the most part, I have the engine pointed straight (really slightly off straight to compensate for the offset of the mounting point) and I steer with the rudder. Its only when I need the manuverability that I bother to steer with the engine too. Even if I had cockpit mounted engine controls, I don't think I would physically link the engine and rudder. Its just not needed and is really only more equipment that needs maintenance and will eventually break.

 

[Johnkent]

this seems to be the general consensus.
Too much to design and ask for, but in an ideal world, I'd have the ability to link the two when I need to do some serious negotiation, otherwise leave them separate. I think getting the shifting and throttle controls more accessible in the cockpit and being able to look forward, is 95% of what I really need. I'm not going into a crowded marina, just my dock.
thank you

 

[Gudenuph]

We extended the OB motor's tiller with a piece of PVC pipe. (1999 Merc 9.9hp with integrated throttle, shift, and kill button) The PVC pipe was enlarged and tapered by heating and forcing over a wooden mandrel which had been turned out on the wood lathe. A hand-carved mandrel would work just as well since the PVC will be forced on with a twisting motion. Don't heat the PVC too much and make it too soft to stand the twisting motion.
The kill button is the end of a spring-loaded wooden dowel protruding through the end cap. Details on request.
The extension reaches up to the "pushpit" rail, and held there by the motor's friction clutch, where it is quite convenient and satisfactory for the close order drills.
FWIW, Geohan

 

[GeorgiaBII]

It's on my to do list to design and build a linkage between my rudder and engine. My dock is very tight to get into.