Newbie question about parts needed to fit a remote outboard engine

[Marguy1]

Hello all. I would like know what parts I need to purchase in order to fit my hull with a remote control engine. My boat comes with a console and navigation wheel only, and it's rated for a 10-20 HP engine. I figured that in addition to the engine, I would buy the following brand new: 1. Control box, 2. Control cables (Throttle and Gear), 3. Steering cable, 4. Propeller (if engine doesn't come with one). Am I missing something, like do I need a wiring harness for the control box or does that come with all new control boxes (if it's needed)? Please let me know if I will be needing anything else, I'm obviously a total newbie, thanks.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Newbie question about parts needed to fit a remote outboard engine

most boats that come with a steering wheel already have the steering cable to hook to the motor. Note that some older boats have cable/pulley steering. how is yours rigged?

your controls are specific to the brand and year of the motor. If you are buying a used motor be sure you can get the right controls. New ones can cost more than the used motor.

wiring depends on whether you have electric start; most motors under 20 HP are pull start, which is nice b/c you don't have to be weighted down with a battery.

what boat do you have?

sounds like you need someone on the ground with you to help rig your boat; we would have to make too many assumptions and that may steer you wrong.

 

[Marguy1]

Re: Newbie question about parts needed to fit a remote outboard engine

Thank you much for your reply. My boat is foreign made, it's not a brand that is known in the US. It didn't come with a steering cable, I just know from the boat specifications what steering cable and control cable lengths are needed. I'm strongly leaning towards purchasing the 'Tohatsu-MFS20CEPTL-Four-Stroke-20-hp', which actually comes with a control box. But it's an electric start, so can you point me to the type of wiring I need to order along with the engine? And is that all that is required to fit the engine to the boat? Thanks again.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Newbie question about parts needed to fit a remote outboard engine

The control box comes with 16" electrical wires factory delivered if not mistaken, But will need to buy steering cable, throttle and shift cables to match center console transom distances and select proper available cable lenghts, there's a tech procedure to do so...

Will need to place/secure center conole at best forward deck position for a correct boat/engine ballance, then go for requested needed cable lenghts for a perfect fit.

Happy Boating

 

[Marguy1]

Re: Newbie question about parts needed to fit a remote outboard engine

Thanks for your help, that's what I needed to know, sounds like that's all what I'll need in order to fit the engine to the boat.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Newbie question about parts needed to fit a remote outboard engine

Ok there are side-mount and binnacle mount controls; which you use depends on your console set-up. Is yours a center console or a side? I'm assuming side since the boat is only rated for 10-20.

 

[Marguy1]

Re: Newbie question about parts needed to fit a remote outboard engine

Ok there are side-mount and binnacle mount controls; which you use depends on your console set-up. Is yours a center console or a side? I'm assuming side since the boat is only rated for 10-20.

Thanks for your input, you bring up a very interesting point for me. My boat is a side console, so this raises two questions for me. 1. Can any brand control box be possibly installed as either a side-mount or binnacle-mount, depending on the need, or are there control boxes designed specifically to be one or the other? 2. I haven't installed the console yet (I'm bringing in a boat technician next week to install it), and I know that this boat is supposed to operate as a side console boat, would it be a problem if I installed the console in the center? I do prefer center console boats, but I don't even know if the technician will be able to do that if I asked him to (there may be existing openings on the floor where the console is supposed to fit, I haven't really looked yet). P.S. The boat is 13.5 feet long by 5.7 feet wide by the way. Thanks again for the support.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Newbie question about parts needed to fit a remote outboard engine

for a boat that size you'd want a console against the starboard side with the steering wheel, and the controls mounted on the side of the hull between the seat and the console. Boston whaler style.
If you put the console in the center you lose the ability to move around in the boat safely. You'll be sitting closer to center, for weight distribution and since your legs won't fit under the console.

 

[Marguy1]

Re: Newbie question about parts needed to fit a remote outboard engine

Thanks a lot for the info Home Cookin, and Sea Rider too, I think I now have a pretty good idea about what I need to get to fit an engine to my boat.

 

[Marguy1]

Re: Newbie question about parts needed to fit a remote outboard engine

One more question if I may. I tried today to buy the steering, control and throttle cables online, but I found that the cables either come alone or as part of a system, or kit. I figured that for the steering cable, I need to buy the whole system (helm, bezel, cable and mounting hardware). But what about the throttle and gear cables, some of the descriptions on these end with the following sentence "May require purchase of connection kit". Do I need a kit to go with these cables as well? Thanks.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Newbie question about parts needed to fit a remote outboard engine

maybe.
you are asking questions specific to products you are ordering; you don't want us guessing. If you don't have an experienced boater there, call the company you are buying from. Or buy the cables, etc. from the company that makes your motor. I think you are making it hard on yourself by trying to cobble together all these parts.

 

[Marguy1]

Re: Newbie question about parts needed to fit a remote outboard engine

Alright will do, thanks Home Cookin'.