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Bass Boat Mods => Small Boat Mods => Topic started by: evansjoem on February 07, 2017, 07:43:52 PM

Title: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on February 07, 2017, 07:43:52 PM
I have a 1985 15hp Evinrude.  I want to switch to a steering wheel instead of the tiller.  What do I need to accomplish this task?


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on February 07, 2017, 07:55:03 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170208/ad2ef35140c547af5991fc72a698096b.jpg)im gonna build a console on the right side of boat


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: Curt on February 08, 2017, 04:50:22 AM
@evansjoem  Once the console is built, you'll need to buy a steering wheel and a set of controls to run the outboard.

If I'm not mistaken, you will also need to make some changes to the outboard itself to accommodate being run from the console, instead of being run by a tiller.

It's unlikely that you will be able to buy these items new in light of the age of the outboard. So you'll need to do some digging online to find what you need.

Maybe some of the other guys here can shed some light on the best place to get these kinds of items.

By the way, welcome to the site  :nod:
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: frugalangler on February 08, 2017, 12:03:53 PM
Curt is correct, the parts will be scarce. Converting an old tiller to remote is not difficult from the aspect of controlling steering, but the throttle/shift linkage is where the scarce parts come in to play.

Generally, most  will advise unless you can find a donor remote control motor, the juice is not worth the squeeze, meaning you're gonna struggle to find parts, the economics of the cost, the work to retrofit the motor (unless you're a marine mechanic) my recommendation would be either:

If you go with #2, that leaves only acquiring the steering wheel, the control cables, the shift/throttle pod, and fabricating the console and side mount for the shift/throttle pod.

I have a similar pair of boats, and I chose to stay tiller, even though I have a complete shop it came down to not wanting to waist the space the console consumed, they simply get in the way on a small boat.

Probably not the kind words you wanted to hear, but been there, didn't do it. Just wasn't worth the effort.
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on February 08, 2017, 01:23:39 PM
This guy says it is a 93 Evinrude 15hp but is identical to mine(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170208/688631d0073ff156233d1641b07009b4.jpg)


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: frugalangler on February 08, 2017, 01:42:00 PM
that's the steering components, if I'm seeing the picture correct, but what about shift/throttle linkage, I don't see those in the picture
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: Curt on February 08, 2017, 03:03:44 PM
that's the steering components, if I'm seeing the picture correct, but what about shift/throttle linkage, I don't see those in the picture

Those were my thoughts exactly. I don't see the cable for the shifting, throttle, etc. Only see the steering mechanism.

And I tend to agree with @frugalangler when it comes to the work and cost involved vs. the benefits of the conversion. But, it's your boat, your time and your money, so the final decision is really up to you.

Oh, and keep in mind also that adding a console and all of the stuff that would go with the steering and throttle conversion (mostly the console) will add some weight to the boat, which might adversely affect your boat's performance. Just some food for thought  (hmm)
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on February 08, 2017, 03:44:22 PM
Ya I have some aluminum scrap that I'm going to tig together.  Not too concerned with weight yet


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on February 08, 2017, 03:45:01 PM
I can fabricate my own levers if need be


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: frugalangler on February 08, 2017, 04:53:26 PM
I can fabricate my own levers if need be

I respect your ability for fabrication, but I caution (not knowing fully your ability) to keep safety in mind when doing this, as a broken throttle mechanism when at speed that doesn't shut down properly spells TROUBLE in a hurry.

If you do pull this off, document your build with photos and post back as a thread to the modification forum for all to see and learn from, that's what this community is all about!

So, back to your original question, I think you've located part of the equation, the steering linkage for the motor. Beyond that, a helm mount that will couple with that steering cable (it's a single cable setup), the shift linkage and lever, throttle linkage and lever, and connecting cables - all of which will be dependent on your motor for one end, the other you will need to fabricate your lever connectors based on what cable ends come on the cables. And, one VERY critical piece:

DO NOT FORGET a safety dead-man switch that has a cable to attach to the driver, a run-away boat is not a good thing, seen them and they scare the XXXX out of ya, go check some you-tube videos! An ignition switch would be the other item.

good luck with your build
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: Curt on February 08, 2017, 09:04:54 PM
If you can fabricate all of the necessary hard-to-find or missing items, then by all means give it a go. But as Frugal suggested, please get photos and videos to document the process so we can all see it!

I hope for your sake that you can make it happen.
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on February 08, 2017, 11:07:36 PM
I will be working on it shortly


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: Curt on February 09, 2017, 11:44:11 AM
I will be working on it shortly


Excellent. Looking forward to watching it come together.

When you get ready to post pics, be sire to do it here: http://www.bassboatboards.com/index.php/board,54.0.html

Just create a new thread so we can follow you from start to finish!  :nod:
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on February 13, 2017, 05:34:51 PM
Cut out face of console and made cardboard stencils(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170213/753a4c21c07914d686550eecd65c100f.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170213/17cd09e32e79608ed534c8656921b021.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170213/22267000c1bd3592a2c09a07207c47c1.jpg)


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: Curt on February 14, 2017, 04:57:06 PM
@evansjoem Looking good! Thanks for the updates :)
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on February 14, 2017, 08:26:56 PM
More to come


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: Curt on February 14, 2017, 08:50:18 PM
More to come


Looking forward to them!
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on February 20, 2017, 12:33:36 PM
Got some welds done(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170220/2590c6a28b3f3474c5093c9aeab11eda.jpg) a lil weave action


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on March 06, 2017, 02:03:35 PM
Got it built but need to polish the face.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170306/a2c8c1615a41c19332755d53e49700e8.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170306/df612f103e59eab88be83f235df8cbac.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170306/67b9aa0366bf6688f7b1455ae5c5a0e0.jpg)


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: Curt on March 06, 2017, 02:12:11 PM
Looking great!!  :thumbup:
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: frugalangler on March 06, 2017, 02:51:21 PM
Looking great!!  :thumbup:
I'll second that!
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on March 06, 2017, 07:20:50 PM
Thank you just ordered my steering wheel and steering controls.


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on March 06, 2017, 07:26:47 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170307/cfee093c3575097750399ec52e72ace7.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170307/fb5e54fe1ff190b6784a94bd6271e60f.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170307/4fe30a5c42c917b910a35872d67de2b2.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170307/1c4ef5f508b741f511f06b6db5a109ec.jpg)


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: Curt on March 07, 2017, 08:49:11 PM
You're definitely on a roll!!  :thumbup:
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on March 16, 2017, 11:44:02 PM
More pics with a drink holder(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170317/21d8af8f98632c59559d9d7208ac0dcc.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170317/2a310dfc10ca0ce29f1fb52352acadce.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170317/488bc279dfd45b7cabb74c5c06da8827.jpg)


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: Curt on March 17, 2017, 09:17:50 AM
@evansjoem Keep it up!

That's the most heavy duty drink holder I've ever seen!  :nod:
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on March 17, 2017, 11:02:01 AM
Lol yep


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on March 17, 2017, 05:56:22 PM
Why buy when I can make my own.


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on March 18, 2017, 12:09:31 AM
Side control box(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170318/90f2d4a71a9ab3f780dc226c59351ad1.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170318/3e82558211386062ccbe7ee539b0d855.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170318/f6cdb3be72c7d12b077ce404e0eb60ce.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170318/87b9693bafeec7d4a98ec3da253fabb9.jpg)


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on March 19, 2017, 01:14:24 AM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170319/e86a63fdd9049c16f2bf18b7df01ec97.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170319/17eba7d637a00f00e75f0f5c35e5faa2.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170319/d160bbdfd1e64e9d96939c880ef3746e.jpg)


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: Curt on March 19, 2017, 10:06:29 AM
That looks awesome!!  :thumbup:
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on March 19, 2017, 02:35:46 PM
Some more(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170319/c81249852c2d1dede1bda672d79f0dfd.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170319/49ea975063762af4110ddc496efe08e8.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170319/d66c2921aeb5a07072d6eb37e5d1c2f8.jpg)


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: Curt on March 19, 2017, 08:51:32 PM
Moving right along!
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on March 20, 2017, 06:35:44 PM
Now I have to fix the holes in the transom


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on March 21, 2017, 02:05:01 AM
Updated(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170321/b5e40e7a35ad0428dba2acc1f46111a2.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170321/fd41d294171004da77f14b9dc390fa49.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170321/c8cd1a0a95cfd7c82192aa1ad94b1f26.jpg)


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: Curt on March 21, 2017, 07:59:31 PM
Now that looks cool!! Two very big thumbs up  :thumbup: :thumbup:
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on March 27, 2017, 08:15:25 PM
Some more updates. Looks kinda ugly but works like a charm.  Got transom finished with new jack plate(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170328/678478d4176141448df65d3bdc830c97.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170328/92f5ec3694329a6b9ee704f1f5264611.jpg)


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: Curt on March 27, 2017, 08:37:26 PM
works like a charm.

That right there is all that matters  :nod:

Awesome work!

Now all we need to see is some video of it in action  ;)
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on March 27, 2017, 10:59:47 PM
Still have to trim the mount


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on April 11, 2017, 10:45:55 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170412/255fb6dc0af557b29bd1a2442474aa13.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170412/9bea67f0e8d74d31dae00e0858dc75dd.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170412/7d5be0ec97e7564c88436a03155b14d5.jpg)


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: Curt on April 13, 2017, 10:10:07 AM
That's really looking cool!!  :thumbup:
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on April 16, 2017, 02:15:11 AM
Drilled, tapped and welded mini pool ball grip levers(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170416/f800940e13083540d70dc4b49a1bb949.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170416/d6bd9713dab7b635cc31fe750b4c21ab.jpg)


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on April 16, 2017, 02:22:09 AM
Lights done(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170416/0426f51ce101c6574c1fb2277306f01d.jpg)


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: Curt on April 17, 2017, 03:58:35 PM
LOL.. love those pool ball knobs  (giggle)

Those are a throwback to the 1960s and early 70s!  :nod:
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on April 18, 2017, 02:38:53 AM
heck yes. Buddy at work had them so I got them for the price of "on the house"


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: Curt on April 18, 2017, 11:12:33 AM
heck yes. Buddy at work had them so I got them for the price of "on the house"


Can't beat that price!!  (nope)
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on April 21, 2017, 12:20:01 AM
So motor won't fire!! No spark, no power out of the coil and nothing from the power pack. $150 later at Amazon and should be at my door in 5 days..... even though Amazon is 6 blocks away from my house


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: Curt on April 21, 2017, 09:46:58 AM
So motor won't fire!! No spark, no power out of the coil and nothing from the power pack. $150 later at Amazon and should be at my door in 5 days..... even though Amazon is 6 blocks away from my house


Well that stinks!  :nod:

Let's hope the power pack replacement does thew trick for you!
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on April 21, 2017, 01:02:56 PM
Ya and 2 coils


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on April 27, 2017, 11:33:29 AM
Bad news is..... it still won't start.  Good news is.......... well there is no good news


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on May 16, 2017, 09:23:26 PM
We are good to go now


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: Curt on May 16, 2017, 09:33:02 PM
We are good to go now


Glad to hear it!!  :nod:

So what did you find was wrong with it?
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on May 16, 2017, 11:01:45 PM
Carberator needed rebuild. Float was stuck


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: Curt on May 22, 2017, 10:24:43 AM
Carberator needed rebuild. Float was stuck


Glad you got that all figured out. Too bad you spent money on other things before narrowing it down to that. But at least it's fixed  :nod:

Be sure to get some on the water pics and video for us to see!
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on June 10, 2017, 09:57:16 AM
Fruits of my labor(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170610/c3b0da682ac09617cbcb5df34a540503.png)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170610/5e513d5eba5f54f47d2087fdb863c087.png)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170610/a00d6cfcdd95ef797aec7c6c99561831.png)


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on June 10, 2017, 09:57:42 AM
Fruits of my labor(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170610/c3b0da682ac09617cbcb5df34a540503.png)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170610/5e513d5eba5f54f47d2087fdb863c087.png)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170610/a00d6cfcdd95ef797aec7c6c99561831.png)


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: Jig Man on June 10, 2017, 08:11:28 PM
Congrats.  Looks like some real nice spots.
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on June 10, 2017, 11:34:18 PM
Thank u


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: Curt on June 11, 2017, 06:29:27 PM
Good for you!! Awesome fish  :nod:
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: Curt on June 11, 2017, 06:29:58 PM
By the way, how did the boat handle now that you've got it all together and on the water?
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on June 11, 2017, 06:31:30 PM
Good but still slow and the pull cord broke out in the middle of the lake


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: Curt on June 12, 2017, 10:44:15 AM
the pull cord broke out in the middle of the lake


Oh no!  (fp)
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on June 12, 2017, 12:30:38 PM
Had to use parachute cord for 3 days


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Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: Curt on June 12, 2017, 03:01:27 PM
Had to use parachute cord for 3 days



Well, at least that'll get you by for now.
Title: Re: 14' Jon boat tiller to steering wheel
Post by: evansjoem on June 12, 2017, 03:42:41 PM
Ya


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