75HP Super Sea Horse.. throttle question

[tcindie]

So I picked up my boat this evening, bear with me here this is my first one..

The boat is a '61 Larson Play Boy 14 footer, and it's got a 75HP Johnson Super Sea Horse, which presumably is the same year, though I'm not certain at the moment.

I've not even had a chance to get it in the water or fire her up yet, as I didn't get it home 'til after dark. But, when I did get home I tilted the engine down, then back up.. no problems, just tilted her down again a bit ago and now it's stuck in the down position -- searching reveals this to be a somewhat common issue?

Anyway, I'm still a bit frustrated on that one, but before I get to the lake tomorrow, I am curious about the throttle control.

The remote is a two lever style, one lever being for forward, neutral, reverse.. and the other being the throttle.. Ok, no problem that's straight forward and makes sense, but here's the head scratcher...

From the lowest setting to the center position (which is marked as "start" when the lever is in that position on the engine cowling) is smooth motion. However, from there to the top position, which I would assume is wide open, is just one big click.

In case that's not clear let me try to clarify. Lever all the way back, glides smoothly to the central position (pointing straight up), then with a bit of force required you can get it to the full forward position, but there's no variable there, it's just middle then bam all the way... Is this normal? It's not a cable issue, it appears to be the way it is designed, unless it's not put together correctly or something.

This boat has been in one family since brand new until I got it, and had always been reliable for them, and they apparently had just had engine work (tune up, etc I believe) done in May. As I'm a boating noob anyway, but certainly with this particular outboard any advice would be appreciated.

Every other boat I've been in the throttle was smooth from lowest to highest settings, at least that's what I seem to recollect.

Thanks in advance! Really looking forward to getting on the water tomorrow, of course I need to figure out the tilt issue first or I won't be able to tow it anywhere without risking knocking the hell out of the lower unit in transit.

 

[tcindie]

Re: 75HP Super Sea Horse.. throttle question

Ok, I figured out the throttle issue.. just took another look at it while out for a smoke.. I guess it's a feature, not a bug. Throttle is smooth from low to high when in gear, but in neutral will only go as high as that "start" setting.

Still can't figure out the tilt issue though. Unlike some of the others I've read here, the gear shift doesn't appear to be linked to the manual tilt at all, granted it's dark out and I may be missing something...

Eventually I think I'll end up having to throw a power tilt on there, just so it's not an ongoing problem.

A bit too late at the moment to try banging the through pin for the manual trim out, so that'll have to wait 'til morning if I can't figure out the tilt release first.

Any ideas on that, I'd love to hear..

 

[F_R]

Re: 75HP Super Sea Horse.. throttle question

The tilt lock/release lever is centered, right over the transom top. If I'm not mistaken, on that one it is a flat flapper-type lever that swings left to right. Easily and often broken. It is not linked to the shift at all. You should run with the motor locked down, and yes if you hit the infamous submerged log it will automatically release and tilt up.

 

[tcindie]

Re: 75HP Super Sea Horse.. throttle question

Ok, so it's a seperate lever than the one on the port side of the engine mount that releases it from being locked in the up position? Maybe when I lowered it the first time today I didn't get it all the way down, which would explain why I was able to raise it again no problem..

I'll take a look when it's light out, and post some photos if I still can't figure it out. Thanks.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 75HP Super Sea Horse.. throttle question

TC, The throttle on that evinrude is designed not to go above about 1/2 way, when the motor is in neutral. If you shift it to forward the throttle will go all the way to ful. That motor also has a microswitch which keeps it from starting in gear, and should have linkage to prevent you from pull starting it in gear.

There should also be a screw on the starboard side of the motor transom clamp. This is the trailer lock screw. If you use the tilt lock when trailoring the baot, it will break...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 75HP Super Sea Horse.. throttle question

i believe, F_R is correct, it is a small lever one way is locked, the other unlocked. should be center of the transom mounting bracket.

 

[F_R]

Re: 75HP Super Sea Horse.. throttle question

I don't think the '61 has the trailering lock screw does it? Should have a upside-down-U shaped tilt up-support between the brackets with a handle on the outside.

 

[tcindie]

Re: 75HP Super Sea Horse.. throttle question

I don't think the '61 has the trailering lock screw does it? Should have a upside-down-U shaped tilt up-support between the brackets with a handle on the outside.

That's correct, and this handle isn't releasing it from the locked down position.. I'm just heading outside to take another look now.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 75HP Super Sea Horse.. throttle question

it is doesn't release, pull the tilt position pin. cable may be broken.

 

[tcindie]

Re: 75HP Super Sea Horse.. throttle question

Ok... the little central unlock tab is broken off, but the cable is still attached to it, and isn't broken. I must not have been getting a good enough grip on it because I still couldn't release it by pulling on it, but I was able to release it by using a screwdriver and pushing up on the mechanism from below. Guess I'll just have to keep a pliers and screwdriver with me on the boat.

Things work so much better when you know what the hell you're looking for though, thanks guys!!

 

[tcindie]

Re: 75HP Super Sea Horse.. throttle question

UPDATE:

Seems this deal was too good to be true... But the guy said if I had any problems he'd reimburse me or whatever.. I'm gonna haul it back to him and dump it off and cancel our deal. Dropped it in the water and it damn near sank like a stone right there at the launch. Turns out there is a good size hole in the hull that was conveniently hidden under one of the bunks when I was looking at it before I picked her up.

Couldn't get the "just had maintence done" engine to fire up either..

While I am sure I could fix it up and make her into a nice craft, I just don't really want to deal with that headache right now, I'm really looking for something to be on the water for the remainder of the season and fix up over the winter. BLAH!