Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
I was browsing the Yamaha web site and saw that they sell a remote tiller rigging kit for sailboats using their 9.9 outboard. Unfortunately, they don't have a picture of it on the site so its hard to visualize how it would work. After another hour of searching other outboard parts sites, I called some local dealers. Nobody has see this thing. I hate to order it sight unseen and find out it is annoying the 99% of the time when I'm not docking!
Has anyone seen or used one of these control adapter kits? I'm interested because I'm thinking it would help me better control my slip entry by not having to reach down to the cockpit sole to shift or throttle up or down. I'm docking in a double slip typically with a crosswind so the fewer times I have to take my eyes off what's happening topside the better.
What type of steering do you have now? Wheel or Tiller? If you have the wheel set up, Edson has a great setup that will put both throttle and shift (F/R) right on the pedestal. I have a Honda 8hp and have all the controls right at my finger tips............. Much easier!!
I have tiller steering...which is where I run into trouble. The control arm for my outboard is right at cockpit sole level. When docking, I have to look away from the slip and bend down to shift, throttle or stop the engine. When you're approaching a slip, even a short inattention can lead to trouble.
I have a Mercury 9.9 which has the throttle and gear shift all on the motor tiller. I purchased a motor tiller extension sleeve which I slip over the motor tiller and tighten down onto it. This allows me to stand and steer if I have to, particularly in marinas where visibilty is critical. Works great as well when I'm steering with the boat tiller and motor in tandem using Arlyn's softlink design.
MnSailer, I have the new Yamaha 9.9 also. I find its easier to leave the tiller handle in the upright position. That way I can stand in such a way with one hand on the tiller and the other on the throttle. Takes some getting used to, but it beats leaning over to reach the throttle when its in the down position.
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to give this tiller rigging kit a try. It extends the controls through a 6 foot cable to allow mounting on the far end of the tiller. You remove the outboard handle, insert the control cables, then use the handle assembly on the end. It's up to you to figure out how to mount it. I'l looking at some velcro wraps rather than drilling.
How about mounting the engine control on a block which is attached to the stern rail. Then you can stand while coming into the dock, steer and control the engine.
What kind of luck did you have with the remote extension? I have a Yamaha 8 HP 4 stroke, and the tiller is so tight against the fuel box that the engine is turned slightly to one side (port) continuously.
The previous owner, who is my hero by the way, installed the remote tiller kit on "My Prozac", our 1980 C25. We have the Yamaha 9.9 four stroke. He made a fiberglass sleeve that slips over the tiller so you have the throttle at your disposal while steering under power. When we sail we just slip the sleeve off and stow it in the cockpit cubbyhole. Here's a picture I had on hand. If it's what you're looking for let me know and I'll try to snag another shot tomorrow morning before we leave for the San Juans. Otherwise you won't hear from me for two weeks
I'd like to get some more info when you get back. When I talked to the tech at Yamaha, he said it wasn't possible. What you have is exactly what I would like to do.
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.