Throttle & gear for the outboard

[Judders]

I have a small (4hp) outboard which sits down on a bracket behind the transom. If I lean back far enough to change gear or throttle, I can not see where I am going. Subtle adjustments in open water are fin but in the confines of the marina it is rather problematic. Is it possible to retrofit some sort of remote control or hydraulics or something?

 

[VicS]

Retro fit remote controls are available for outboards but I am not aware of any for engines quite that small although they are/were available for 5hp Evinrudes.. The outboard is usually made with their fitting in mind, ie a provision to attach the remotes to.

There may be some third party remotes that will do the trick but fittings by your O/B manufacturer will probably be more satisfactory (and expensive!).

Often it is possible to fit an extension on the gear lever and on the throttle control.

LakeSailor will be along shortly with some photos!

 

[seumask]

How about a bit of tube to go over the lever and extend it up, could even be bent so that it is closer to you to operate.

 

[aitchw]

What make of outboard is it? My 4hp Merc has appropriate keyhole slots and bosses on the mouldings to take the fittings but Merc don't officially offer the option on that model. I think it's offered for the 5hp and uses probably the same mountings.

I think the bigger difficulty will be the location of your o/b, out on bracket, making routing of the cables a pain. An extension for the arm and gear lever are a better bet as VicS suggests and I also vaguely recall Lakey having devised something to do the job.

 

[DRANNIE]

I'm looking into this at the moment for the same reason. I would check the manufacturer's website. It seems there is a kit for my honda 5hp longshaft. The conversion kit is about £45, cables £15 and a starboard side mount morse lever about £100-£150 then fitting as well. Might give you a guide.

As I need basics like a radar reflector and mooring warps this is a bit down my priority list at the moment.

 

[Judders]

Mine is also a 4hp Mercury and there are some promising looking holes. The UK importer hasn't got back to me, their European website has nothing on it but I am yet to check the American site.

I very much look forward to Lakesailers contribution (as ever).

 

[Lakesailor]

I thought I'd answered the query the other day. Was it not you?
Any way extend the gearlever with a bit of alloy bar and some s/s nuts and bolts. I had intended to fit a vertical lever on the rear cockpit coaming hinged at the bottom with a bar across to this lever (pivoted at the top) so that there was an operating lever in the cockpit. I leave the outboard arm upright like that and can easily reach it to adjust the revs. Possibly a bit of plastic waste pipe or similar push fitted on the end of the throttle grip would make it easier to reach.
This lever makes the gearchange indescribably easy, and more positive than the little stub that was there before.

There are often single or twin lever controls on eBay. The conversion kits for the motor end can be around £50 though, which takes the gloss off it.
Ebay lever controls Trouble is they went for £41 plus carriage and they may be knackered when you get them and you need the conversion kit. Safer to buy new if that's what you want to do.

 

[Judders]

Thank you very much indeed.

(It wasn't me the other day BTW)