What other controls/steering can I salvage that will fit my Johnson 48 SPL?

[Bigoledude]

My son just found us a very good deal on a 1990 Johnson 48 SPL that requires remote steering and controls. It has neither the steering nor the controls with it. Here in Southeast Louisiana there are some boat boneyards to rummage through. The former motor was rigged with a tiller-arm setup. So, we can pretty much use any length setup (within reason) for a 17 ft. aluminum flatboat, that will mate-up with the motor.

The question is, what motors will I be able to scavenge the controls from that will have the same fittings that will mate-up with our throttle, choke, gear shifting etc...? A 1990 Johnson 48 SPL.

If I find some suitable controls without steering, how do I measure the steering I need to match the salvaged controls?

 

[bonz_d]

Steering and controls are separate issues.

Engine throttle/shift control just look for any OMC single handle with the ignition wire cable. the actual shift and throttle cables will depend upon where you plan to mount the control box. Can use longer but not shorter.

I take it the boat does not have a steering console in it as you state it was a tiller. 2 ways to go about this. Add a helm with steering wheel or use a stick steer remote.. Again the length of the cable will be determined by where the steering is located.

 

[Bigoledude]

Thanks bonz_d. That is great news! I thought for sure it was gonna be necessary to scavenge from a specific range of OMC "horsepowers" or "year models" in order to fit.

I can see where the location of my seats might play a role in control "length" limitations. But, what other limiting factors enable me to use longer controls and not shorter ones? I do believe you, just an old curious outside machinist question.

I have seen a few crab fishermen and mullet netters over the years using the stick-steer. I thought it was really cool. Does it require a different gear/box set-up than a steering wheel would?

I knew steering was a totally different component than the controls. I mentioned "steering" along with "controls" because I have neither. What I was wondering was if the connecting-end of the steering at the motor was specific to this particular brand, year, model or horsepower? So, I'm assuming now, from your very helpful answer, that pretty-much any OMC motors will be okay to scavenge the steering and controls from?

 

[bonz_d]

Good to know the basics.

With the control box what you will want to look for is mostly the length of the electric control cable. Find one that will reach where you want it to go. That cable is hard to find w/o buying the control box. The shift and throttle cables are easily replaced for the length you need. They cannot be lengthened or shortened they have to be replaced by the length needed. A longer cable and be used by putting a loop in it.

Yes the stick steer is different than a steering wheel. A steering wheel will use either a rack and pinion or a rotary helm unit. All 3 will connect to the engine the same way. Again the length of the cable need to fit the distance from the engine to the steering position. The other thing you will need is a drag link. it connects the engine to the steering cable.

If you have the engine already look inside it and you should find a big red round plug. That is where the connection is made to the electric cable from the control.

Hope this helps.