RIB aux dilema

[dubrus]

looking for some input on this one folks.

i have a brand new 5hp 4 stroke mariner i bought last season before i bought my current RIB. the rib has a double A frame on it so i can't really get the aux on the transom as the tiller hits the A frame no matter what you do.

i can only see 2 options really-

1. bolt on one of those aux outboard brackets
2. buy a 3.3hp 2 stroke which will obviously be quite a bit slimmer.

i don't really like any of the above 2 but i can think of no other option mean time.

i'm concerned about no1 as the aux will be bouncing around on there when not in use and ofcourse drilling holes in a transom for something which looks ugly.

i'm concered about no2 since you can't buy new and 3.3hp on a 5.6m boat is not ideal even for an aux, although it is better than nothing.

open to ideas.

cheers

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by dubrus

looking for some input on this one folks...open to ideas

Me too

[Polwart]

Dubrus, you can't steer with it because of the frame or you can't fit it at all? If the former convention is to fit and fix pos. Then steer with main eng as rudder.

[dubrus]

i can get the engine on the transom but it will hinder the main engine steerage. to stop it doing this i would need to loosen the aux engine, tilt it a certain way and lift it off the transom and back back down again so the tiller sits between the A frame but i don't fancy trying that incase i need it when it is rough.

the best solution is probably a 3.3hp engine OR an engine with the tiller on the opposite side but that doesn't seem to exist.

[Polwart]

Stupid question.... do you actually need the tiller.

[dubrus]

if could maybe rig up something to control the throttle then no i could take it off. i had thought of that but i like things looking neat/functional.

i wonder if i can buy/make a thin tiller and put like a throttle lever on there with a wire upto the carb...........

ever seen a tiller like this for sale i could adapt?

if i lose the std tiller i will gain about 5" of room which will get rid of my issues.

cheers

[9D280]

Any chance of a pic of your 5?

A couple of thoughts ambling round my head as I have a slightly similar problem, but as my Aux is a 19canteen Johnson the tiller is a length of 3/8" x 3/4" bar! (not entirely unrelated to my choosing that as my Aux!)

Anyhow, my thought is - could you arrange a "twin" type steering setup so that the aux moves along with the main. Apologies in advance if this description gets messy:

As you turn to port, the front of the main engine moves to starboard. The aux is at approx 45 degrees in the "up" position, and so the back of it will peobably be slightly behind the pivot point of the main, so should clear, the front is being pushed to stbd as well. Same idea turning to port - the back of the aux will be pushed clear, the front will travel with the main.

The next obvious step with the remote steering is see if they do a remotes kit for it - I'm thinking things like river launches where you donlt need the poer but want a comfortable seat or for a yacht where you can't reach the tiller kind of thing. you could pobably rig something tidy up with bike brake cables assuming it's got a Push / pull type arrangement.

[dubrus]

i can get some pics tomorrow as the engine is currently sitting in local outboard shop for sale but no action so i'm going to keep it and adapt it somehow.

i have called clyde outboards and they said you can get a cable adapter kit for the engine so he is getting a price. i don't intend to use cables but i could maybe cut one short so it sticks out the front with some sort of bike lever arrangement as you said.

steering really isn't going to be a problem-the thottle will be. i can get a steering bar made to bolt onto the main lump to deal with that.

to clarify, if i leave the aux as is you can't turn it or tilt it as the tiller hits the A frame hence this problem. even if i do this i will not get full lock on the aux but who cares-as long as i have reasonable steerage i'll settle for that. it is going to be tight regardless but i think taking the tiller off will just give enough room.

thanks polwart for suggestion-i dismissed it in my head but probably the better way forward now.

edit-this is same engine for quickness just now-



cheers

[Starovich]

Not sure, but was polwart suggesting you simply use the main engine leg for steering, and set the throttle friction to hold a steady rpm, meaning there is no need to be playing with the aux tiller much at all?

[dubrus]

perhaps he did and i've mis-understood him, appologies if so. if i leave the tiller though i can't tilt the aux up.

the only solution is to get the tiller off or buy an aux bracket for this engine.

a picture is worth a 1000 words as they say but if you can imagine the back of the tiller where it comes out of the aux-that is right where my A frame sits so i can't tilt it or turn it.

edit- found this on my phone showing the aux hull protector i bought to put the aux on.

the aux engine sits hard against the towing eye which gives it enough space from the main engine but the tiller is pointing vertical hard against the A frame there aswell.

cheers