One for speedboat fans - Livorsi TTS

[MapisM]

I fitted the thingie below, called "triple throttle switch", to the Livorsi stick on my lake boat.
The switches are configured in such way that the one under the forefinger moves the outdrive in and out, whilst the two under the thumb control the tabs, either together or independently. It does take a bit of practice, but being able to control all that with the hand firmly on the throttle is priceless, when going real fast in some rough stuff.
Possibly the best speedboat gadget I've ever tried, highly recommended!
Though I'm afraid it takes a Livorsi throttle to fit it, in the first place.
Usual disclaimer, no connection etc.

 

[AndieMac]

Now that is a good idea MM, looks and sounds expensive though (even the name sounds expensive )

As you say working the throttle in rough water in a smaller boat, bouncing around, it makes a lot of sense to centralise the controls.

 

[z1ppy]

Very Nice!!

Im thinking about some Livorsi controls for ours.

The one concern i have it it must be top mounted so it would be a twin lever setup and im not sure how user friendly that would be for less experienced drivers...

they do look fantastic tho!!!

 

[MapisM]

Yep AM, Livorsi has a reputation for being a tad expensive, but not too much if you source the parts in the US.
I spent $120 for it, which I'm not saying is cheap of course, but well worth it.

z1ppy, actually all the Livorsi controls I've seen were flush mounted.
I don't think they make external "boxes", if that's what you meant by top mounted, but you can check on their website.
Anyway, I wouldn't worry about the separate levers for gear and throttle, that's actually the ONLY way to go in any driver's boat.
It might take a while to get used to it if you've always used single levers, but trust me, you'll never look back. For instance, quickly releasing the throttle upon a jump and accelerating again upon re-enter is something which can only be handled with a dedicated throttle lever. And a strongly built one!

 

[AndieMac]

For instance, quickly releasing the throttle upon a jump and accelerating again upon re-enter is something which can only be handled with a dedicated throttle lever. And a strongly built one!

I wonder if the Med boaters seeing you sedately pottering about at D speed in the big ship, know how you behave up on the lake?

 

[MapisM]

LOL, yeah, and it works the other way round, too. The most remarkably different reactions are from raggies: they're always very friendly at sea, whilst they look at us as pure evil on the lake...

 

[z1ppy]

z1ppy, actually all the Livorsi controls I've seen were flush mounted.
I don't think they make external "boxes", if that's what you meant by top mounted, but you can check on their website.
Anyway, I wouldn't worry about the separate levers for gear and throttle, that's actually the ONLY way to go in any driver's boat.
It might take a while to get used to it if you've always used single levers, but trust me, you'll never look back. For instance, quickly releasing the throttle upon a jump and accelerating again upon re-enter is something which can only be handled with a dedicated throttle lever. And a strongly built one!

Sorry, flush mounted but i know they do some side mount single lever controls as well.

Will maybe have a look over the winter as i agree, when driving hard it would be useful to remove the fear of knocking into neutral or worse, into reverse!

Just take a bit of getting used to i guess and when Mrs Zippy is still learning, another complication may not be welcome!

 

[MapisM]

Just take a bit of getting used to i guess and when Mrs Zippy is still learning, another complication may not be welcome!

It actually depends on her stage of learning.
I've found that for total beginners, which obviously approach maneuvering in ideal conditions (no wind, no current), it's actually easier to play with dual levers. In fact, at this stage typically nobody accelerates when maneuvering. And to just put the gear in and out (either fwd or rev), dual levers are perfect.
Now, if and when conditions require the use of some rpm also when maneuvering, then of course things get a bit trickier with dual levers, but by the time your skills are good enough to maneuver in such difficult conditions, I don't think the levers will be a problem anymore.