Suzuki 40hp 4 Stroke Tiller

[Corry]

So, turns out I've just inherited a boat. It's a 4m Hornet Widebody, with a Suzuki 40hp Tiller on it. I'll do a separate thread on what I'm doing with the boat, it is standard now, so needs a lot done to it to set it up for the fishing that I want to use it for.
Has anyone had anything to do with the motor at all? I find the tiller, due to there being so much on it with key, trim, throttle, trolling control etc, that it is huge, and long. Now in some circumstances, being huge and long could be a bonus, but not in this case, I find it difficult to get used to.
I was hoping that there would be a replacement for them that is smaller and easier to use, any ideas?

[Corry]

This is what I'm talking about. Not my photo, but you'll get the idea.
125500
If you look at the end of the tiller in reference to the seat, it makes it difficult to steer as it hits the seats, especially if someone is sitting opposite you.

[rayken1938]

Can you move seats forward?

[Dignity]

Can you move seats forward?

My first thought but on a 4m hornet I doubt it as it would be a thwart seat.

[Corry]

You're spot on Dignity, it has the thwart seats, but I'm contemplating building some bases that come forward from the thwart seat that will take a seat post, and change to pedestal seats. That way I've got a better seat to utilise, and it moves it forward a bit. One concern is that the 'swing' of the arm to go from lock to lock is still big.
I don't get why they have such a massive tiller on them to start with. From the reading I've done so far, it's sold as a benefit, I don't see that.

[disorderly]

Is there any way of getting a bracket made up where the tiller attaches to the motor so that its angled or offset..?

[Dignity]

You're spot on Dignity, it has the thwart seats, but I'm contemplating building some bases that come forward from the thwart seat that will take a seat post, and change to pedestal seats. That way I've got a better seat to utilise, and it moves it forward a bit. One concern is that the 'swing' of the arm to go from lock to lock is still big.
I don't get why they have such a massive tiller on them to start with. From the reading I've done so far, it's sold as a benefit, I don't see that.

My mate did that on his 4.2m renegade... but he actually put an extension on so it would work. He prefers the more forward position as he is a solid bloke and fishes mostly by himself unless I go with him so he's happy with it.

[Cobbo1]

Took me a while to get used to my 50hp Merc tiller on a 4.5m plate but it was my first tiller over 15hp. Being a plate boat it’s a fair bit wider so I moved the seat as far stbd as possible and that helped a lot. Also I’m pretty sure you can change which side the shift lever is on those tiller arms, that might help? My shift lever is down next to where the tiller arm mounts to the outboard and trim switch is on the gunwale so the tiller arm is a lot simpler but I’d definitely prefer a shift lever and trim control on the tiller arm.

[sowden42]

125507125506

This is what I have had made it attaches to the front of the thwart seat and the floor to give it plenty of strength And the seat is attached on the top. This gives you 50cm seat height or if you need it lower you can shorten the pole length .Sorry the photos came out sideways first attempt. I dont know why the pictures did'nt come out. .

.

[tug_tellum]

Attachment doesnt show for me.
Maybe my eyes are shut.
I have a smart computer with a dumb operator

[Corry]

I can't see the attachments either, keen to but :)

[Dignity]

I can't see the attachments either, keen to but :)

Ditto.....

[Tracker]

pics work now

[Corry]

Sowden42, that's a great idea. I'm going to get something similar made I think. I'm trialling a milk crate at the moment to see where I'd like the seat. All I'd like to do is build in some form of storage underneath, preferrably dry storage, as there isn't much of that in an open tinny.
Thanks for that :)

[chris69]

Ive got a 50tillerDF and i turn my seat side ways and i put the tiller under my leg and steer like that and but my seat is on velcro so i can put the seat were ever i want it sits on a ply base with the velro glued to it.

[sowden42]

Corry. Some of the hornets had something like mine attached to the thwart and I am pretty sure they come as an accessory. Just for your info.