Console to Tiller conversion?

[Wet_Willy]

Giving this some thought on a console outboard. Has anybody on this board ever converted a console to a tiller. I was thinking I could get the spare parts at Oregon Outboard Salvage and do it. Anybody with any tips?

Thanks,
Bill

[Wood Shampoo]

Bill,

I am having my outboard converted by a guy named Dale. He is located on NE 28th Street and 140th by Burton Elementary in Vancouver. He is also doing a bit of other welding work as well. Very good prices too.

Ty

[Keta]

I did it to my '79 Johnson 35hp but it required removal of the power head. If you are mechanical it is not a big deal. I am going to go the other way on my Honda 30hp.

[ 09-24-2002, 09:31 AM: Message edited by: Keta ]

[FishinMission]

My Fish Rite came with a console. I had Steven's install the tiller, I removed the console. A highly recommended move...you'll wish you'd have done it sooner.

You didn't say whether you had a pump or prop. If you have a pump...you'll really love the difference.

Mark

[Jellyhead]

I did the conversion on a 16' valco sled. It was relativley easy. All that was required was a different tiller handle.

The motor was a 1979 Johnson 70 horse pump. They never made a tiller handle for that motor. The handle I used came off of a 35 horse Evenrude, mid 80's model. A little grinding was required on the tiller handle to get a good fit. The ignition and choke hooked up perfect. I opted for a remote shifter mounted on the transom.

It has made this boat a fishing machine. Tons of room, I don't think you'll regret the switch.

Aaron

[Wet_Willy]

FM it is a prop motor. Jelly, a little more info if you will. I haven't dug into it yet but is the handle all that is necessary or is there other internal parts that I'll need. I'm trying to figure out if the electric start is modified to rope start and the choke, etc. Was yours a rope start to begin with?
Bill

[Miss B Haven]

Make sure the motor won't excede the max HP for a tiller version. If it was max power for console it may excede the rating when converted. If the name plate doesn't have both specified I'm not sure there's any consequences other than doing wheelies if you're loaded light in the front end. :shocked: :cheers: :cool:

[Keta]

Leave the electric start on. I had to replace the bace of the upper end (below the power head) to take the handle. I still have the parts if anyone is converting a 35hp Johnson or Evenrude the other way.

[Wet_Willy]

Keta,
Sorry for so many questions but this sounds like a good plan. Where did you get the tiller arm? I've seen this model with a tiller handle so I'm not too worried about the rating. I'll look at it tonight to see what brace you are talking about...So if I have it right, leave the electric start alone and mount the box in the back somewhere. Did you shorten the wires leading to the motor from the console shift box when you converted it?

I haven't found a good "how-to" for this little project so I'm taking lots of notes. A tiller on this boat will be great.

Bill

[Keta]

I bought the parts from a Johnson dealer and left the battery wiring intact. I then took off the manual choke and put a ignition switch in the hole where the choke went.

How big is your motor?

[ 09-24-2002, 05:53 PM: Message edited by: Keta ]

[rebell]

I seen the conversion jellyfish did and it was clean. You should be able to do this with out to much trouble. Good luck with your project, you wont regret it.

[Wet_Willy]

Keta, Mine is a 55hp. Sounds fairly straightforward. I'll start looking into the parts for this.

Ty, in case this project doesn't work out for me, email me on how yours goes with the fella up in Vancouver. I may need his services.

I was selling my boat but decided if I switched it to a tiller and gained that extra room, I will just keep it and use it a lot more. And enjoy it more as well.

Thanks for the continued info.

Bill