Outboard / Rudder Tiller Steering

[radioguy]

Hey guys,

I've spent the better part of the day looking for a system to combine the steering of my outboard with that of my rudder (Cat 22). I have a Mariner 2.5 hp. It looks like the best way for me to do this is to use a pole that connects from my rudder to the shaft of the outboard. I found this company that sells something, but its ultra expensive and it looks like this would be easy to fabricate:

Sorry for the cruddy image, it was the best I could find. Does anyone have any photos or hints from their own installs? It sure seems like I could get a piece of rubber and some hose clamps, a rod, and some boat hardware. How did you guys do this?

RG

 

[Old Skool Neil]

I've no experience with such a thing but it seems it would be an easy matter to fabricate a tierod with a couple of heim joints on the ends. McMaster-Carr has them in stainless.

The trick is to connect the tierod ends the same distance from the turning axes. That'll keep the two components (rudder and outboard) parallel.

 

[jimg]

There is really no reason to do this. C22s are light and have large rudders and you can turn on a dime with the rudder alone, leaving the motor fixed in place. I speak from much first hand experience. Don't make things more complicated than necessary for no real benefit. Just my advice.

 

[radioguy]

There is really no reason to do this. C22s are light and have large rudders and you can turn on a dime with the rudder alone, leaving the motor fixed in place. I speak from much first hand experience. Don't make things more complicated than necessary for no real benefit. Just my advice.

Thank you kindly, I will try that. That would be much, much easier!

I'd only have to unlock the motor to navigate in reverse (I have a 2.5 hp so reverse means rotating the engine!)