Low engine controls

[DaveW]

Does anyone else have a problem with engine controls mounted low down near the cockpit floor as on our Sadler 29?
Last Tuesday night I was approaching a mooring in the dark on the River Wyre (Fleetwood) in 20knots of wind and very strong tide, holding a lantern in one hand trying to steer with the other and operate the throttle whilst trying to obey my crews signals from the bow - all at the same time.
I found that having to "bob down" to adjust the throttle made you lose sight of the pick-up buoy - just at the wrong moment!
I'm thinking of making some sort of detachable extension to the throttle lever, so that you can stand up and adjust the throttle much easier.
I suppose that it would be similar to the extensions you can buy for an outboard, but used in a vertical sense rather than horizontal.
Anybody have a solution to this already?


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[Scarboroughsloop]

Dave,

My engine control is low down as well. I just use my foot (until I want neutral of course!).

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[Evadne]

Use your foot.

I also (in calm weather and strange harbours) stand on the cockpit seat, and use my feet for steering and throttle controls. It helps if you don't have a sprayhood.

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[paulrossall]

I also use my foot to move the throttle. My mate had a problem going from forward to reverse because there was some locking button you had to press when going through netural. He removed the locking device and now can also use his foot. This method seems to be standard on most boats. Paul

<hr width=100% size=1>" there is nothing-absolutely nothing-half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats".

 

[Evadne]

I think I have Volvo controls, or possibly Morse, they are so old there is no legend on the levers. The only button I have to press is to disengage the gear control, which is done in neutral (usually with much waggling of the lever). I thought this was pretty standard for a single lever control.

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[steve123]

The previous owner of my Sadler 32 moved the control after an 'incident' coming alongside when he kicked it by mistake. It is now on the port side, above the cockpit seat behind the cockpit locker. This makes it much easier to use. I think that he replaced the contol and the cabling at the same time.

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[davehu]

I used to have a similr problem on a trapper 500. I removed the knob of the control lever, wrapped the lever shaft with waterproof Duck tape and then slid on the handle of my Bilge pump. Easy and worked a treat, just put it on when I needed it and the Duck tape was easy on the hands without the bilge pump handle fitted,

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