1998 Evinrude 25HP tiller

[Lewis]

Hi all,
I'm getting ready to rig a 1998 Evinrude with a tiller, and it looks like I can either have the shift lever on the side (like the 2nd picture) or on the front (like the 1st). For those of you that have used both (or those of you that have just thought about it), what do you prefer? The front lever seems like it would be easy to reach. But it is so far forward, I'm wondering if I would bump it and shift accidentally. My 60HP Merc tiller has the shift lever on the front, but closer to the cowl and with a side-to-side shifting action. I've never accidentally shifted that one, so maybe there's no reason to be concerned with the Evinrude.
Thanks!
Lewis

 

[boobie]

Re: 1998 Evinrude 25HP tiller

I like the ones in the front as they're easier to get at and you don't have to reach back over the motor. JMHO

 

[Lewis]

Re: 1998 Evinrude 25HP tiller

Thanks, Boobie. I've run a little Johnson 6 (the same one!) for almost 50 years. So I'm kind of used to reaching back for the shifter, but I never really thought it was an ideal setup. The Mercury 60 (pictured below) is still kind of a reach when seated, but in the opposite direction. The big paddle lever on the Johnson in the picture in the first post seems ideal as long as there's not an issue with accidentally bumping it out of gear.
Lewis

 

[boobie]

Re: 1998 Evinrude 25HP tiller

I'd rather have the Johnson one than the Mercury.