New to forum. Need some Tohatsu advice...

[avalve]

Folks,

Recently inherited an Ankona Shadowcast 16' from my father. I know a lot about fishing, but not so much about boat maintenance. I am considering changing the Tohatsu 20hp Engine from tiller to center console. I am wondering how difficult/costly this endeavour might be. From the boat manufacturer, I know that there is already a rigging tube from the existing tiller console to the stern. Going on the Tohatsu website, there are a bunch of different options for control boxes, cabling, etc. I don't plan to do the work myself, but I would like to know how much money I will be dropping on the parts. Does anyone have any advice? I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if it isn't worth it or not a good idea, I'd like to know that as well. Thanks in advance.

 

[ondarvr]

Small boats don't typically make good center consoles, the console frequently takes up too much room and is always in the way, a tiller offers the most fishing area.

The conversion to remote can be costly, especially if you're paying someone to do it for you. If you can find a dead boat and/or motor with all the needed parts it may reduce the cost some.

 

[Sea Rider]

A 16 footer is not that small size if fishing with few fishermen or as you've been doing so far. Personally don't like central consoles, like plain open tiller driven recreational, cruising boats. Could go just for the standing up central console along driving wheel and remote engine control box. Besides cheaper than going for the full central console with front seat and rear driving seat, will still have lots of available deck space to move on. That remote combo could cost as much as $ 1000 easily. Hand labor, not included. Will need to add remote throttle and gear cables too. Check Iboats or other reputed marine store for them and any Tohatsu dealer for remote box.

Happy Boating

 

[avalve]

Thanks for the advice guys. I might not go the remote route. I enjoy driving the boat with a tiller, but the 2 tiller extenders I have tried both seem a little too flimsy. One had a bunch of flex in it and the other one didn't fasten properly. Anybody have any DIY plans for a sturdy extender that would fit a Tohatsu 20 hp handle? I had heard good things about the TillerPillar, but want to keep costs down especially if I end up converting the boat over.

 

[TGuy]

Cheap DIY method...PVC pipe from Home Depot. Get one that fits snugly over the throttle grip on the tiller or put a bolt in it to tighten it down. Cut to whatever length is comfortable to you.

 

[Sea Rider]

Buy a PVC pipe as suggested, sometines it's impossible to match same grip diam with a PVC pipe, in that case go for one with slight more diameter, make a long cut on pipe bit larger than full grip's lenght, once fully inserted add 2 metal screw fasteners, fasten one at upper, other at lower grip portion, tighten screw well. Pipe will accommodate much better onto grip with perfect tightness. Cut tiller extension as needed. Like tiller steering feel controlling OB power while throttling.

Happy Boating