Converting a larger outboard to a tiller??

[scipper77]

I have a 1983 Johnson 35 that runs like new and has low hours. The 16' Sea nymph it is on could handle a bigger motor but as it is a tiller setup I believe the original owner told me that 35 horse was the biggest motor he could get with a tiller (Purchased new).

My question is basically how hard would it be to convert a motor with controls to a tiller if I ever had to replace the motor?

I ask this because finding a used motor in that size range with a tiller is unlikely and if I ever had a motor failure (unlikely) the boat would be out of commission until I could find one.

 

[F_R]

Re: Converting a larger outboard to a tiller??

Well without doing a fact search, I believe tiller motors were made in larger sizes than that. Especially commercial models. But they might not be easy to find, because few people ever bought them. Now, if you wouldn't mind going for an old model, OMC made some V4 motors that were tiller adaptable up to at least 75hp.

EDIT: With just a quick look, I found 40 and 50hp tiller models in the 1991 Evinrude brochure.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Converting a larger outboard to a tiller??

My goal isn't really to get a bigger motor, I am just wondering if adding a tiller handle is an easy job. Likely my best option would be to find another motor of the same vintage as mine that the tiller handle I have would fit on.

Also. you made me think and I think he may have told me that 35 horse was as big as you would ever want to go for a pull start. They may have made larger pull starts, I don't know but this guy had to have a tiller with pull start from the factory and he arrived at 35 horse being the biggest he could go.

 

[boobie]

Re: Converting a larger outboard to a tiller??

I read an old post on here where a guy put a tiller handle on a 250 hp v-8. I'll bet that was fun to drive.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Converting a larger outboard to a tiller??

lots of 40 tillers in my neighbourhood. I have used a 60HP commercial Johnson tiller. Pretty sure there was a 115 tiller offered some years.

 

[SCduckhunter]

Re: Converting a larger outboard to a tiller??

Ever watch swamp people? Thealligatorhunters inLA. They all have 90-100-110 hp newer/new tiller motors...the new one like those have a steering assist

 

[kodibass]

Re: Converting a larger outboard to a tiller??

I think the tiller handle off a 83 25 hp could be put on tiller handle motors near the same year smaller in size but not larger. from 40 up they used a longer arm & rod. however there are plenty of options to go to more horse power with a tiller, I have 8 55hp commercial outboard Johnson & Evinrude at this time, the tiller set up for these 55 's will bolt straight across to the 3 cyl. motors 60-75 hp leeroys rambling site gives a look at a 70 he adapted to tiller steering/ jet drive. I have done so as well.

 

[F_R]

Re: Converting a larger outboard to a tiller??

The majority of 1980's - up motors designed for remote start and steering cannot be converted to tiller operation.

 

[kodibass]

Re: Converting a larger outboard to a tiller??

F R can you explain, as I have done many 80's 25,30,35 hp buy changing out the transom bracket with a tiller transom bracket. just did one for a fellow last week. unbolt the lower clams, upper motor mounts 2 side ones one center one and off comes transom bracket tiller & all, reverse the process and you now have a tiller 30 hp.

 

[F_R]

Re: Converting a larger outboard to a tiller??

Well, ok lets change "cannot" to say something like it would require a lot of expensive parts or a donor engine. Anyhoo, it would be a case-by-case question. And the guy implied that he might be looking for something bigger. As the old saying goes, "Anything is possible".

 

[Teamster]

Re: Converting a larger outboard to a tiller??

I've run a 250 horse tiller once,.......

I've seen at least one 300 horse tiller,.....

Big tillers are fairly common in the mid-west,.....

All of those big tillers has the Mertens tiller assist,............Which was bought out by Mercury Marine,....

Now the only way to get a big tiller with power assist is to buy a Mercury,...

Unless you know a dealer with some new old stock tiller assist systems laying around,..................

 

[scipper77]

Re: Converting a larger outboard to a tiller??

OK, so they definitely made tillers in bigger sizes. Finding one might take some time, and if I can get a hold of the same motor as I already have a tiller swap should be easy. Did I miss anything so far?