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Author Topic:   Converting From Tiller Steering

PeteB88 posted 05-12-2005 10:36 PM ET (US)
I have a console and have been agonizing over converting to console steering from tiller steering. How is this conversion accomplished?
Binkie posted 05-12-2005 11:13 PM ET (US)
Its easy, screw the console in place, mount a helm and steering wheel to the console, disconnect the tiller from the outboard, run a steering cable from the helm to the steering tube and steering arm, buy a set of controls on E-bay, sell your tiller on E-bay, hook them up, and you`re all set. Now mayby you can even add some guages. But I must tell you, there`s something cool about tiller steering. Maybe its a throwback thing. LOL
PeteB88 posted 05-13-2005 07:01 AM ET (US)
Ya, I agree about the tiller thing. Plus, you get to actually use the oar locks. I will be running tiller for awhile this season but have considered the mod for several reasons. For long runs it gets uncomfortable in that small boat and I think running w/ steering in that boat is safer from the standpoint of the skipper being in a more stable, balanced position with something to hang on to. We are planning to use the boat occasionally for a kids fishing/outdoors program we have added to our action sports work.
The other thing is steering takes up room. I've got the console and all the wood from a 13. We'll see how things go.
We would appreciate any and more comments.
thx
88
brisboats posted 05-13-2005 09:45 AM ET (US)
I went the other way on a 1966 13'. I took out the steering console and mounted an 18hp Nissan/Tohatsu tiller. The end was result was a roomier and less cluttered boat. For my needs, knocking about and crabbing it was perfect.
Brian
thekidd posted 05-13-2005 12:45 PM ET (US)
You can add a remote steering unit to the engine and save space because you will not require the console. I ended up having to install one on my kicker and I love it. A bit slow to react, but serves it's purpose if you want a break on occasion when your neck feels like it will never turn to starboard again.
CFCAJUN posted 05-13-2005 03:04 PM ET (US)
Interesting question. I had just read this article recently.

quote:
The Whaler is considered the first of the center console boats. How did that idea come about?
This is another one of those innovations that came about accidentally while Fisher was developing a 16 foot model. They were testing the performance characteristics of this new hull but they had decided they did not want to make the boat tiller steered. So they fashioned a temporary plywood box and moved it forward to the center of the boat so a single test driver could
test the boat with the weight evenly distributed. After several different drivers tested the boat, they determined it was an excellent way to run the boat since you could easily get around either side of the console and the boat didn't list with only one person on board. So they built an ornate mahogany console and the center console was born.
http://www.boatus.com/trailerclub/features/whaler.asp
You might even go Katama or Nausett style with a medium height center console. Full center console standing up may create a high center of gravity, so maybe something in the middle height range would be nice.
PeteB88 posted 05-14-2005 12:11 PM ET (US)
Thanks for your perspective - - please continue to send your comments.
88
runpasthefence posted 05-14-2005 10:39 PM ET (US)
I bought my 85 15' with a tiller 50hp Mariner. In a week i had it set up with a 2005 90hp Yamaha with seating. No big deal man, just go for it, you'll love it.
jimh posted 05-14-2005 11:35 PM ET (US)
[Administrative post]
MarkCz posted 05-16-2005 10:42 AM ET (US)
I have a 13ft and have used it with both a tiller (hated it) and with the console (love it). It is much more comfortable sitting with your hands on the wheel then reaching back for the tiller. Just my 2 cents.
pacushman posted 05-16-2005 11:59 AM ET (US)
I am in the process of a conversion to a center console. The console that I chose is 24w x 32h x18d. It will hold a 12 gal. tank inside and give room on the dash for a fishfinder and other accessories.
Mine is a total resto job, but I am obviously not going original. I will have a center con, 54qt marine cooler with cushion in front of console and a flip back fiberglass cooler/seat at the aft.
Big challenge is no wood in the hull and getting the cables to the transom in an efficient unobtrussive manner. I am looking at a PVC 3" cutin half for a tunnel that will give me the nesseccary clearances.

Anyway, I have plenty of ideas, it is the money and the execution that are my hassel. My boat is a '73 or older.
Montauk posted 05-16-2005 10:53 PM ET (US)
Pete,
Are you asking about installing a console in your 11.5? I have been experimenting with a tiller extension on my 11.5 with a 15 hp OMC, I have been running it standing up and holding a line run from the bow with great results. I plan to build a stand up console with a handhold built in and a seat for the passenger. There will be enough room inside for a 6 gallon tank, a trolling motor battery and a couple of life jackets. The top of the console will have space for a fish locator, cup holders, and the stern light mount. It seems to me that a steering system and cables for the control box will take up too much room in the stern of this tiny boat.
PeteB88 posted 05-17-2005 08:29 AM ET (US)
PVC tube routing sounds very cool and interesting. MONTAUK - I learned to run river boats standing up w/ handle extension and bowline when I lived in Oregon and do that with this boat as well. However, I run a 25 that freaking screams esp when I am solo. The Whaler tracks like a Ferrari and I know I am going to be ejected one of these days. I throttle up to planing speed and the down to a decent cruise before standing. This said it and for our intended needs it is just a bit twitchy. However, if I were running a newer 15 it might be fine. We are thinking of repowering w/ newer 20.
This boat runs so fine with "reserve" HP I am not sure I would want to go below 20.
Your stand-up method is also fantastic for scouting fishing spots - - I much prefer the dead reckoning method my dad taught me than electronics anyday.
thanks and keep the replies coming.

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Author	Topic: Converting From Tiller Steering
PeteB88	posted 05-12-2005 10:36 PM ET (US) I have a console and have been agonizing over converting to console steering from tiller steering. How is this conversion accomplished?
Binkie	posted 05-12-2005 11:13 PM ET (US) Its easy, screw the console in place, mount a helm and steering wheel to the console, disconnect the tiller from the outboard, run a steering cable from the helm to the steering tube and steering arm, buy a set of controls on E-bay, sell your tiller on E-bay, hook them up, and you`re all set. Now mayby you can even add some guages. But I must tell you, there`s something cool about tiller steering. Maybe its a throwback thing. LOL
PeteB88	posted 05-13-2005 07:01 AM ET (US) Ya, I agree about the tiller thing. Plus, you get to actually use the oar locks. I will be running tiller for awhile this season but have considered the mod for several reasons. For long runs it gets uncomfortable in that small boat and I think running w/ steering in that boat is safer from the standpoint of the skipper being in a more stable, balanced position with something to hang on to. We are planning to use the boat occasionally for a kids fishing/outdoors program we have added to our action sports work. The other thing is steering takes up room. I've got the console and all the wood from a 13. We'll see how things go. We would appreciate any and more comments. thx 88
brisboats	posted 05-13-2005 09:45 AM ET (US) I went the other way on a 1966 13'. I took out the steering console and mounted an 18hp Nissan/Tohatsu tiller. The end was result was a roomier and less cluttered boat. For my needs, knocking about and crabbing it was perfect. Brian
thekidd	posted 05-13-2005 12:45 PM ET (US) You can add a remote steering unit to the engine and save space because you will not require the console. I ended up having to install one on my kicker and I love it. A bit slow to react, but serves it's purpose if you want a break on occasion when your neck feels like it will never turn to starboard again.
CFCAJUN	posted 05-13-2005 03:04 PM ET (US) Interesting question. I had just read this article recently. quote: The Whaler is considered the first of the center console boats. How did that idea come about? This is another one of those innovations that came about accidentally while Fisher was developing a 16 foot model. They were testing the performance characteristics of this new hull but they had decided they did not want to make the boat tiller steered. So they fashioned a temporary plywood box and moved it forward to the center of the boat so a single test driver could test the boat with the weight evenly distributed. After several different drivers tested the boat, they determined it was an excellent way to run the boat since you could easily get around either side of the console and the boat didn't list with only one person on board. So they built an ornate mahogany console and the center console was born. http://www.boatus.com/trailerclub/features/whaler.asp You might even go Katama or Nausett style with a medium height center console. Full center console standing up may create a high center of gravity, so maybe something in the middle height range would be nice.
PeteB88	posted 05-14-2005 12:11 PM ET (US) Thanks for your perspective - - please continue to send your comments. 88
runpasthefence	posted 05-14-2005 10:39 PM ET (US) I bought my 85 15' with a tiller 50hp Mariner. In a week i had it set up with a 2005 90hp Yamaha with seating. No big deal man, just go for it, you'll love it.
jimh	posted 05-14-2005 11:35 PM ET (US) [Administrative post]
MarkCz	posted 05-16-2005 10:42 AM ET (US) I have a 13ft and have used it with both a tiller (hated it) and with the console (love it). It is much more comfortable sitting with your hands on the wheel then reaching back for the tiller. Just my 2 cents.
pacushman	posted 05-16-2005 11:59 AM ET (US) I am in the process of a conversion to a center console. The console that I chose is 24w x 32h x18d. It will hold a 12 gal. tank inside and give room on the dash for a fishfinder and other accessories. Mine is a total resto job, but I am obviously not going original. I will have a center con, 54qt marine cooler with cushion in front of console and a flip back fiberglass cooler/seat at the aft. Big challenge is no wood in the hull and getting the cables to the transom in an efficient unobtrussive manner. I am looking at a PVC 3" cutin half for a tunnel that will give me the nesseccary clearances. Anyway, I have plenty of ideas, it is the money and the execution that are my hassel. My boat is a '73 or older.
Montauk	posted 05-16-2005 10:53 PM ET (US) Pete, Are you asking about installing a console in your 11.5? I have been experimenting with a tiller extension on my 11.5 with a 15 hp OMC, I have been running it standing up and holding a line run from the bow with great results. I plan to build a stand up console with a handhold built in and a seat for the passenger. There will be enough room inside for a 6 gallon tank, a trolling motor battery and a couple of life jackets. The top of the console will have space for a fish locator, cup holders, and the stern light mount. It seems to me that a steering system and cables for the control box will take up too much room in the stern of this tiny boat.
PeteB88	posted 05-17-2005 08:29 AM ET (US) PVC tube routing sounds very cool and interesting. MONTAUK - I learned to run river boats standing up w/ handle extension and bowline when I lived in Oregon and do that with this boat as well. However, I run a 25 that freaking screams esp when I am solo. The Whaler tracks like a Ferrari and I know I am going to be ejected one of these days. I throttle up to planing speed and the down to a decent cruise before standing. This said it and for our intended needs it is just a bit twitchy. However, if I were running a newer 15 it might be fine. We are thinking of repowering w/ newer 20. This boat runs so fine with "reserve" HP I am not sure I would want to go below 20. Your stand-up method is also fantastic for scouting fishing spots - - I much prefer the dead reckoning method my dad taught me than electronics anyday. thanks and keep the replies coming.