Throttle lever on two wheel boats

Ric said:
This is one of the reasons that I am not really convinced that I like two wheel boats. I can see advantages - but there are disadvantages too, such as this, and also having engine controls only on one side of the boat. Also, presumably a lot of instruments need doubling up. For example, if you only have one autopilot control head, and it is at the other helm, how do you reach across to turn on the pilot? All in all it seems to add a lot of weight, cost and complexity. Usually it is just a requirement because the designers have built a boat far to beamy so that they can cram in yet more berths, so two wheels are needed to see anything while helming.
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Again, for me at least, all this is a non-issue. The autopilot is on the port helm position (throttle is on stbd). When we're sailing I usually sit on the stb helm seat and SWMBO sits on the port, so a quick " press Standby would you?" is all that's needed. Even if I'm in the cockpit alone and helming it's easy to walk across the boat, swapping wheels as you go. As far as instrumentation is concerned, we have two instruments at each helm, wind is on both of them, the stbd has depth and the port speed. The plotter is removable and slots into a small bracket on the end of the cockpit table, it's moveable so can be viewed from either helm position.

Twin wheels is less ergonomically efficient I agree, but that beamy boat you mention gives us more living space. Horses for courses of course but we don't find two wheels, or a low throttle a problem. I think you just get used to your boat however it's laid out.
 
In the med, stern to mooring is the norm in many harbours and pontoons. To reverse it is best practice to stand behind the wheel facing the direction your going. My Bavaria 44 ( 2 wheels) allows me to control the throttle with my left hand and steer with the right, this is because the throttle is mounted on the top of the side deck and in easy reach. This arrangement allows me to have complete control when maneuvering, and also allows me to lower the anchor using a wireless remote. Having the controls low down would make the process far more difficult.
 
Our twin wheel setup has throttle/gear lever at both helms. Only one can be engaged at a time. Instruments and bow thruster controls also doubled at both helms. Plotter and autopilot are mounted centrally on the end of the table. This covers most situations but because the control levers are low down it is not possible to stand in front of the wheels for going astern. This was how the boat was set up when we bought her but as lots of power boats have dual controls I assume standard parts are available to achieve this setup.
 
Seajet said:
Mind you that's luxury compared to an outboard on the transom with no remote controls; I often think anyone with such a set-up should call Youtube before approaching a marina...
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I loved having an outboard on the transom. You can do all sorts of interesting and creative things by using outboard and rudder in combination.
 
ghostlymoron said:
Most of of us tiller types develop a facility for foot control. Not easy for fine adjustment but great for full astern in an emergency.
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I have a small and enthusiastic crew member who is enjoys working the throttle, and is very good at giving me slow/half/full/a bit more/a bit less ahead/astern on request.
 
ghostlymoron said:
Most of of us tiller types develop a facility for foot control.
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+1

To begin with on Kindred Spirit (tiller, with throttle in the standard position low in the seat front) I would bob down for the throttle, losing sight of the surroundings. After a short while I learned to use my foot instead, which gave just as good control without taking my eye off the proceedings. Problems only occurred when the bucket which I kept under the aft thwart slid forward and inserted itself under the lever when I wanted to press it down for a burst of astern! Ensuring that the bucket was well clear became part of the pre-manoeuvre checks after that.

On the main thread subject - it seems odd to me to let something as trivial as throttle placement dictate your choice of an otherwise satisfactory boat. Dual-station kits are easily available for flybridge mobos (or even wheelhouse motor-sailers) so adding a second throttle should be an easy job. Even if you're the sort who "gets a little man in" for every job, the fee for this one must be a mere rounding error in the price of a new boat big enough to have two wheels.

Pete
 
JumbleDuck said:
I loved having an outboard on the transom. You can do all sorts of interesting and creative things by using outboard and rudder in combination.
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+1 The expression we had when getting near the berth was to "take the position" not a dignified pose but got best control of all the relevant bits....

Present boat has low down engine control as others have mentioned that what your foot is for... When looking for a burst astern looking across the cockpit at 90 degrees it gives a good indication of when the boat is stopped or doing correct speed.

My problem is its still high enough to tangle the main sheet half the time....
 
JumbleDuck said:
I loved having an outboard on the transom. You can do all sorts of interesting and creative things by using outboard and rudder in combination.
Click to expand...

+1 The expression we had when getting near the berth was to "take the position" not a dignified pose but got best control of all the relevant bits....

Present boat has low down engine control as others have mentioned that what your foot is for... When looking for a burst astern looking across the cockpit at 90 degrees it gives a good indication of when the boat is stopped or doing correct speed.

My problem is its still high enough to tangle the main sheet half the time....
 
prv said:
On the main thread subject - it seems odd to me to let something as trivial as throttle placement dictate your choice of an otherwise satisfactory boat. Dual-station kits are easily available for flybridge mobos (or even wheelhouse motor-sailers) so adding a second throttle should be an easy job. Even if you're the sort who "gets a little man in" for every job, the fee for this one must be a mere rounding error in the price of a new boat big enough to have two wheels.

Pete
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The problem on some twin wheel boats, though, is that there is nowhere sensible to mount the control lever so that it can be used when standing at the helm, which is why it is mounted low down on the side of the coaming. So a basic design problem of the helm layout rather than just adding another control or re-siting it.
 
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