Outboard tiller control

[Doug]

I am looking for an outboard tiller control for my O’day 25. The one I am looking for attaches to the end of the rudder tiller and controls both throttle and shift controls, which give you heads up docking. I had the web site for this outboard tiller controller a few years ago but I can’t find it now.
Thanks
Doug

 

[RGB]

powertiller

Sounds like you might be looking for a Powertiller. I have not seen one in person but they have a short demo on their website and it looks pretty neat to me.

 

[JoeGoodrow]

I checked out the power tiller video. that's for big engins. I have a different spin on this question. I have never sailed a boat with an outboard motor. I,m stepping up from very small sailboats like the sunfish, I also had a 16 foot day sailer to an Oday 25 that has an outboard engin,but I have never used an engine powered sailbaoat. . In regards to steering and controling the boat. do you tie off the rudder and tiller and steer with the outboard motors tiller, or use the boats rudder and tiller. Or do you use both. I'm a bit confused about the right way to control the boat under power.
can anyone give me some insight here.

 

[Ross in Tampa]

Nope, tie off the engine, steer with the rudder.

I will add that being able to quickly unlock the outboard and adjusting the thrust is helpful at times.

My buddy Mike has his outboard linked to his rudder, and it works quite well too.

 

[caguy]

I don't tie my motor off. There is enough friction that the motor stays centered on its own. Use the rudder to steer. I use the rudder and motor when in a tight situation. When using both you can practically do a spinner. I sometimes use the motor when docking especially when stopping and needing to bring the aft end around. 95% of the time just use the rudder.
Frank

 

[r.w.landau]

Like Caguy said...

r.w.landau

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

Motor or tiller to steer-

JoeGood row- I, like you bought my first outboard powered sailboat without ever using it. Technically you can steer the boat with either the rudder or the motor but you will find the rudder's greater surface area makes it work MUCH easier. I bet you will be pleasantly surprised how well your boat will steer and what a good ride it will seem to have due to its keel weight (as compared to a sail board type boat) If your rudder ever fails you have backup steering using the engine but you will find the boat harder to control- it will wander around and need constant correction to hold a line. With practice using the boat tiller in one hand and the engine tiller in the other will produce some amazing docking abilities. By turning the engine almost sideways you can create your own stern thruster that will help push or pull the boat toward the dock. During normal use , you will want the motor steering lock nut fairly tight- it is a wing nut a little ways down the motor shaft that controls steering tension- snug it down by hand. You want it tight enough that the motor does not steer itself but loose enough that you can easily turn engine. Also when you shut the engine off to sail- for less drag you will want to tilt motor up out of the water- I think most motors have to be in forward gear to tilt. (at least if the latch is properly adjusted) Enjoy that new boat!