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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Cockpit Controls?

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Kper
Captain

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USA
417 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/14/2014 : 06:04:56

It's time for a new engine and I was thinking now is a good time to consider the addition of cockpit controls. It's hard enough for me to park in the inner most slip in the narrow dock and leaning out of the back of the boat and taking my eyes off my planed route when I need to reverse is getting old - although I do like being able to turn the thrust where I need it. I'm curious how many here have remote controls and the pro's and con's of having them.

Thanks.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2014 : 06:50:45

I view cockpit controls as more clutter to maintain and trip over - my opinion.

We have the Yamaha 9.9 that has the shift lever on the tiller arm - just behind the throttle handle. When maneuvering in tight places I turn both tillers in unison. Being able to shift without having to reach for the shift lever in those situations is a real advantage.

Interesting profile picture there Kyle. I keep finding myself squinting to see what else is going on inside that barn!

Edited by - OJ on 08/14/2014 07:16:53

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2014 : 08:21:37

quote:
Originally posted by Kper

It's time for a new engine and I was thinking now is a good time to consider the addition of cockpit controls. It's hard enough for me to park in the inner most slip in the narrow dock and leaning out of the back of the boat and taking my eyes off my planned route when I need to reverse is getting old - although I do like being able to turn the thrust where I need it.

I have a Mercury outboard with the integrated shifter/throttle. Twist the throttle one way for forward speed, twist it the other way for reverse. No shift lever to mess with and I never have to avert my eyes to control the outboard.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2014 : 09:23:22

quote:
Originally posted by dlucier

quote:
Originally posted by Kper

It's time for a new engine and I was thinking now is a good time to consider the addition of cockpit controls. It's hard enough for me to park in the inner most slip in the narrow dock and leaning out of the back of the boat and taking my eyes off my planned route when I need to reverse is getting old - although I do like being able to turn the thrust where I need it.

I have a Mercury outboard with the integrated shifter/throttle. Twist the throttle one way for forward speed, twist it the other way for reverse. No shift lever to mess with and I never have to avert my eyes to control the outboard.

Even better

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2014 : 11:11:43

We had a Nissan 8hp electric start/remote control O/B for over 20 years and loved it. It was initially purchased because the Admiral, being 4' 9" could not reach the motor to pull start.
It makes life so much easier especially when reversing out of the slip
and the controls are out of the way along the side of the cockpit by the transom.

Edited by - on

Kper
Captain

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USA
417 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2014 : 18:22:53

A shifter on the handle would make it a lot easier but the Mercury has me really intrigued.
Don, what model is your Merc?

Edited by - on

Kper
Captain

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USA
417 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2014 : 18:43:59

quote:
Originally posted by OJ

Interesting profile picture there Kyle. I keep finding myself squinting to see what else is going on inside that barn!

The owner wouldn't, or couldn't, send any decent photos but swore we wouldn't regret the trip to see the boat - which was almost 5 hours away. After a day of debating whether I should believe him or not I decided to take the next day off and go look since there was another C25 available in the area. Sure glad I did because he wasn't kidding. I agreed to purchase the boat at the asking price but he knocked off another $200... I think because we got along so well. The guys at the club here at the lake think I should send him a check. Their reasoning? They think I stole it from him.

It didn't look like much in the barn but I had a feeling it was a diamond in the rough.

Two months of cleaning and re-bedding and we launched her.

Our granddaughter scrubbing "her" bell.

Edited by - on

hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2014 : 02:27:14

I friend added this to his Mercury OB. His has shift on throttle and electric start. Seems to work quite well for him.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/HelmsMate-Tiller-Motor-Extension-Handles/699658.uts

Edited by - on

Kper
Captain

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USA
417 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2014 : 03:00:21

quote:
Originally posted by hewebb

I friend added this to his Mercury OB. His has shift on throttle and electric start. Seems to work quite well for him.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/HelmsMate-Tiller-Motor-Extension-Handles/699658.uts

That would work really well with the Merc, no looking back to shift and could even stand up if needed. We have a Bass Pro and I don't recall seeing anything like that but surely they have it.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2014 : 05:03:19

quote:
Originally posted by Kper

Don, what model is your Merc?

I have a 1995 8hp two stroke Merc that came with the boat when I purchased it in 2001. Still starts easily on the first pull.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2014 : 08:45:16

quote:
Originally posted by Kper

quote:
Originally posted by OJ

Interesting profile picture there Kyle. I keep finding myself squinting to see what else is going on inside that barn!

I agreed to purchase the boat at the asking price but he knocked off another $200... I think because we got along so well.

No one owns anything forever, so during the time you do possess property it is admirable to be a good steward . . . so you can preserve and pass something of value on to the next party. Perhaps the previous owner saw someone who would also be the next - good steward.

Edited by - OJ on 08/15/2014 15:19:16

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2014 : 10:07:25

Stewardship is a big part of my agenda. It is one reason I am always happy to help others improve their boats, every buyer should be looking at a well cared for and improved boat... There is always more for the new owner to do to keep improving a boat.

Edited by - on

moserd
Navigator

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USA
149 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2014 : 10:35:17

I have the Merc with the integrated shift in the throttle; I DO NOT like it! When I first purchased the motor the arrangement 'seemed' ok but I find 'newbies' confused by which way to turn it AND I have found that if your idle is even the slightest advanced the shifter will resist transitions (requires more torque than I am comfortable applying). I don't recommend this arrangement.

Edited by - on

Kper
Captain

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USA
417 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2014 : 11:05:16

Speaking of being a good steward, I'd like to find somebody on the forum that hs a stockpile of deck hardware willing to sell, like, blocks, clutches, etc.

Edited by - Kper on 08/15/2014 11:06:53

Kper
Captain

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USA
417 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2014 : 11:08:49

quote:
Originally posted by moserd

I have the Merc with the integrated shift in the throttle; I DO NOT like it! When I first purchased the motor the arrangement 'seemed' ok but I find 'newbies' confused by which way to turn it AND I have found that if your idle is even the slightest advanced the shifter will resist transitions (requires more torque than I am comfortable applying). I don't recommend this arrangement.

Thank you. Sounds like this may be something to experience before deciding on a purchase.

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4034 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2014 : 15:04:19

I used a Merc on a friends dink a few years ago. I didn't care for it either. I could see in a bit of a panic situation you could really screw up trying to do a fast shift. I use my boat enough that I don't have to look back at the motor to grab the throttle or shift handle. It becomes natural with practice. I think over time that you might find that your hand automatically goes where it is needed. When you first got a new car you probably looked down at the shift handle or looked at the radio for the controls because you weren't familiar with them but I bet now you get in the car and shift into foward or reverse without looking down.

Edited by - on

Kper
Captain

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USA
417 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2014 : 15:11:39

The problem with the current shifter is it's so low on the engine that I have to duck almost completely under the rail to make the shift.

Edited by - Kper on 08/15/2014 15:12:14

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2014 : 15:29:57

quote:
Originally posted by Kper

Speaking of being a good steward, I'd like to find somebody on the forum that hs a stockpile of deck hardware willing to sell, like, blocks, clutches, etc.

Those are the things that boat owners accumulate over the years. When I need 4 screws, washers and nuts to attach a piece of hardware, I'll purchase 10 of each just to build my inventory. Smaller blocks for the deck plate - I'll purchase 2 at a time. I currently have 5 medium size Plano plastic storage containers (the ones with the adjustable dividers) full of sailboat hardware stored in the dock box. Another guy on our dock buys a 100 count boxes from McMaster Carr - yikes!

Edited by - OJ on 08/15/2014 15:45:36

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4034 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2014 : 16:28:26

The problem with the current shifter is it's so low on the engine that I have to duck almost completely under the rail to make the shift.

Then maybe you could benefit from the tiller extension. I have also seen some that have fabricated an extension for the shifter that they bolted on. Honestly when docking I put the engine in neutral a few slips out and glide into my slip . I have a dock line that I have the looped end over the winch. As I glide into my slip I loop the dock line over the first cleat that comes up and hold the tail end of the dock line. The boat stops dead, No need for reverse and having the prop walk messing up your perfect approch at the last second. I get out and loop my spring line onto the mid ship cleat then the front then the back. My lines and fenders are attached to the dock set at the right lenght. I can here the other members now... What if you miss the cleat? Well first off I'm not going fast enough at that point to do any damage and second I haven't missed it in 5yrs. This is my method and I don't know how you dock or what your situation is but maybe some of this helps.

Edited by - islander on 08/15/2014 16:29:39

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2014 : 21:04:16

I have single lever control which can be removed when sailing so no place for line to catch. Starter switches are located on outboard and just inside cabin with ignition switch out of weather. Picture shows tack and a little of the switch.

Edited by - on

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