PVC outboard handle extention?

[nightstalker]

Can anyone tell me how to make an extention handle for my 9.9 Johnson outboard? I've seen them made out of PVC, but not up close enough to see how it was done.
Nightstalker

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: PVC outboard handle extention?

Don't use PVC. Find some round aluminum stock just big enough to fit over the handle. On the end that goes over the handle, cut with a band saw or table saw 4 to 8 slits about 6 inches up the extension. Then cinch it down with hose clamps. Some non-skid tape wrapped on the other end works well or fashion a wood handle that fits in the end and through bolt it in place. I don't know what kind of outboard you have, but not all of them can take the extra abuse of using an extension. At speed, the tiller handle takes a tremendous amount of extra torque when using an extension. You may also need to bolster the tiller where it attaches to the outboard.

 

[Lone Duck]

Re: PVC outboard handle extention?

Don't use PVC. Find some round aluminum stock just big enough to fit over the handle. On the end that goes over the handle, cut with a band saw or table saw 4 to 8 slits about 6 inches up the extension. Then cinch it down with hose clamps. Some non-skid tape wrapped on the other end works well or fashion a wood handle that fits in the end and through bolt it in place. I don't know what kind of outboard you have, but not all of them can take the extra abuse of using an extension. At speed, the tiller handle takes a tremendous amount of extra torque when using an extension. You may also need to bolster the tiller where it attaches to the outboard.

Just remember the longer the extension the more distance the grip end travels .

 

[Dhadley]

Re: PVC outboard handle extention?

Check out Helms Mate extension handles by Ironwood Pacific. Just bought one for my Minn Kota at Bass Pro Shop. There are several models and they work on small outboards as well a trolling motors.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: PVC outboard handle extention?

Google "outboard tiller extension" and on or about page 3 of the results you find a hit in Google Books titled The Outboard Boater's Handbook with those words...shows you how to make one with PVC a few hose clamps and a wooden pole. Worked pretty good on my last small tinny. I sat on a milk crate just in front of the stern bench seat and it worked pretty good. Also like the idea of using aluminum though.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: PVC outboard handle extention?

just thought this was funny.

 

[steelespike]

Re: PVC outboard handle extention?

just thought this was funny.

Must be Red Greens boat.

 

[steelespike]

Re: PVC outboard handle extention?

I never did this but I figured I'd take a length of Straight auto radiator
hose some clamps and some sort of handle PVC,aluminum, wooden closet rod.Just a little space between extension and tiller so hose would allow handle to flex a little.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: PVC outboard handle extention?

Now that's a creative use of duct tape TD! Use what ya got at hand...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: PVC outboard handle extention?

i didn't do it. someone else posted it and i saved it.

 

[nightstalker]

Re: PVC outboard handle extention?

Thanks for the info. I'm going to make one out of the PVC and give it a try.
Nightstalker

 

[John_S]

Re: PVC outboard handle extention?

I made one out of pvc very similar to what Drowned Rat described for a '63 Evinrude Sportwin 10hp. The goal was to operate the 14' boat from the middle seat when out by myself. For the handle part, I just scuffed up the pvc so you could get a grip. I also added a kill switch plug and switch, and a extension rope so you could start it from mid-position.

What I found was, as Lone Duck describes, It takes a much wider swing to turn the boat. When going straight ahead the handle is near the port side. Turning to starboard was the issue. That is why the commercial extensions have a u-joint in them. Steelspike idea might help solve this, depending on where the handle goes at rest. Also, the pvc had to be large enough diameter to fit over handle which makes for a rather large grip. But this could be necked down, but didn't make it to that stage.

Anyway, after making and testing, it didn't marry well for my primary use, fishing in shallow water. I still had to jump to the back of the boat to raise motor to clear bottom or when starting to put in neutral.

What did work, was making a gas tank extension hose and putting it in the bow.