Vast upgrade from stock POS Bayliner throttle/shifter control?

[Wild0409]

I've got this stock piece of crap (pictured below) on my 2003 2152 Bayliner Capri cuddy. It's linked to the stock OEM 305 cid small block Chev and Mercruiser Alpha 1 drive. I just bought this boat last December and have had it out 3 times now for fairly long cruises on Puget Sound. The stock control feels really chincy and the lever unlock thumb button is unacceptable. When approaching a dock, I'm trying to unlock it to throw it in reverse, and it fails to unlock until I finally mash it far enough and at the right angle to unlock it. By this time, 3 or 4 seconds has elapsed and that, well... makes for some pretty sloppy, amateurish-looking dockings... That is my main gripe with it. The other thing is the action is not smooth, kinda chunky, so precise rpm control is very difficult. So, anyhoo...

Are there any high-quality, heavy-duty, smooth-action, no-BS aftermarket models that would be a direct replacement, using my original cables, and have a similar footprint as the stock one? And OEM mounting would be a MAJOR bonus! And the lever-lock thumb button is optional, and believe you me, I'd just assume not even have it there at all, seriously... And money is almost... no obstacle if it's exactly what I want. Naturally, I would need the trim/lift toggle switch also, preferably exactly where the stock one is located. I've looked around some, but I have no idea if the ones I've looked at would fit my desired criteria, or what their tried and true performance is from people that have used them. Any suggestions? Thanks! Bill

And this edit: How difficult is the DIY aspect of this? I'm mechanically inclined, but some things are still just a pain in the butt, ya know? Cables and such... lol

 

[alldodge]

Have not dealt with the one you have but for the most part there has been very little issue with the controls. The only caveat is the very old ones. It could be yours is just a piece of junk but it could also be you have cable issues. The short answer is there are several throttle controls which will work for you. You can go high dollar to low dollar and be fine.

According to this comment

When approaching a dock, I'm trying to unlock it to throw it in reverse, and it fails to unlock until I finally mash it far enough and at the right angle to unlock it

My first thought is you need to have your lower shift cable replaced, they wear out over time and are a common problem

 

[Wild0409]

It's more of a button issue, AllDodge... I can feel that it's catching on something internally in the handle itself, and I have to shift the location of the pressure my thumb is giving it to make it depress, like the guide is a tad off or something... Like the internal guides are of poor quality and perhaps fall outside the guides when released... if that makes sense...

 

[alldodge]

It's more of a button issue, AllDodge... I can feel that it's catching on something internally in the handle itself, and I have to shift the location of the pressure my thumb is giving it to make it depress, like the guide is a tad off or something... Like the internal guides are of poor quality and perhaps fall outside the guides when released... if that makes sense...

Maybe the easy fix is to remove the handle and see how the button is hanging up, might have a burr on the plastic piece. might be able to fix it with a file

 

[poconojoe]

I have that same shifter on my 2003 185BR Bayliner with no issues. I know zero about how these things work, but If I were you, I would do what AllDodge suggested. Take that thing apart and give it a going over. Maybe lube up the moving parts and check the cables too.

 

[Wild0409]

Yeah, that might be worth a shot... But I'd still like a higher quality unit if I can find one. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[alldodge]

Yeah, that might be worth a shot... But I'd still like a higher quality unit if I can find one. Thanks for the suggestions!

Then your choices are U-flex or Mercury, suggest google side mount I/O controls are have a look. Most all will work