Tiller on a runabout?

[Mike in Tac]

I have a 14' Livingston - the kind with the add-on bow cover and windshield. Up until last week, I had remote steering with a 1988 25 hp Evinrude. However, I got a really sweet deal on a brand new 4-stroke, 15 hp tiller and bought it. I will likely take the bow cover and the windshield off the boat but I wanted to see how things go with them on at least once - later this week. I hardly ever see runabout boats with windshields operated from the back with a tiller motor. I anticipate that it will be a harder for me to see where I am going during this "test run", but I was wondering if anyone know if it actually illegal for me to operate my boat this way (even just once). I couldn't find anything about in on the state boating laws website.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Tiller on a runabout?

Boats are designed -- yours was designed to have operator weight and control closer to center. Doubt you will be happy with the 15 hp after the larger motor, but sufficient for the size.... eliminating even a minor amount of forward weight will not help.