Tiller vs console HP

B

Big Dan

New member
I can't find any official reason why a boat hp rating is much less for tiller than canosole steering. Is it because you can turn so much faster with a tiller and run the risk of swamping/flipping vs the slower turn of a wheel on a console? Any other reasons. I have heard that if I make a boat and certify it experimental or something like that, I can have any HP on it, but I want a tiller and want to keep it safe, but have as much power as possible

Dan
 
Dan,

Any answer I would give you would be just speculation.

Have you tried the Coast Guard web site for motor ratings for power boats? It might give you some information that is usefull. I don't have the link on this computer but I would think a Google search would find it.

Pete
 
I remember reading about it somewhere..sometime...and it had to do with control...the mechanical control you have with a steering system let's you "muscle" a big motor. I always wondered if a 70 tiller would be any harder to hang onto than a 100 tiller.
 
I think Lee is right, also ( I belive) it is a weight distribution consideration. I can make a call and find out for sure from the CG certification guys.
 
My main hobby is boat building so I am somewhat familiar with how the hull is rated for horsepower. The following URL should take you to the coastguard "regs for backyard boatbuilders. (Noah was one) A short flat bottomed tiller steered boat with a 15" transom would rank very low on the points scale. A remote steered deep vee with an inboard and long as well as wide will rank much better.

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/education_safety/safety/boatwater/backyardboatbuilders.pdf
 
Thanks guys, I guess no one has a definate reason. I thought about the weight distribution thing, but that would be easily remedied with putting stuff up front. Heck, some side consoles are as far aft as one would sit with a tiller, so I don't think it's that. It must be some aspect of the handling. I looked at the CG website, but couldn't find anything, and the backyard boat builders guide just tells what the HP should be, not why it's less for a tiller.
If anyone know, let's hear it
Dan
 
I called the CG certification folks today. They told me that their understanding is because of weight distribution . When a tiller is used it forces a given portion of the persons weight to the rear and that wieght cannot be redistrubited. The confusion about the why of it reigns because noone who wrote the regs is still around.
 
I've been told by them and other marine engineers the same thing. Keep in mind that it only applies to boats under 20ft long, and especially to smaller boats. Worst-case scenario says that a boat with a single passenger(driver) will unevenly overload the boat in the stern if using a tiller. Likewise will cause a much better evenly distributed weight if using a console. Most boats swamp stern-first, so the original engineers were much more concerned about excess weight in the rear. That part makes sense.

What does not always make sense is the fact that they tried to apply an average weight by the the horsepower of the outboard. They took an average of the weights of motors in each horsepower size and applied that weight to the capacity ratings. It's much less precise today because of the emergence of four-strokes and mudmotors. Using horsepower to determine the weight of the outboard is bassackwards, but that's the way it was originally conceived. I thin they tried to "keep it simple" by using horsepower as a capacity factor, but it's far from perfect. Interestingly there's an online service that will print you a new capacity plate if you don't like the one that came with your boat. Would probably save you a ticket from a CO or CG officer, but probably wouldn't hold up in court if there was a serious accident.
 


I just bought a 30" tiller extension to use on my,yet to be launched MLB Widgeon with a 44lb thrust trolling motor.The warning on the extention tates that5 it should only be used at trolling speeds,A mute point in my case however,When I lived and Stripper fished on Cape Cod,many fished from 14-16 aluminum boats with up to 50hp w/tiller extensions.They went as fast as the boat would go with most of the weight centered due to the extension tiller.Hell no,don't make a quick turn when running.
Fair Winds
3Dogs
 
Joe, I think it's a CYA type of thing for the manufacturer. I could see going 50 mph and the extension slipping off the tiller. I bet the fishermen that you are talking about had a super rugged attatching system rigged up. I noticed when I put the extension on my Wigeon that you couldn't turn as sharp due to the lengthened steering arc..so that couldn't, or shouldn't be where the concern is. I eneded up buying an adjustable extension for mine for a more rigid control over the one I made..not sure I like it better than my home-made one or not...yet.
 

Lee
I believe you're right about the CYA.the tiller extension in use on the fishing boats back in the 60s were stout, adjustable, and had a replacement grip adapter that went onto the motor that the extension pluged into with a half turn on a spring loaded arangement.Never heard of one coming off while underway.What kind of boat do you hunt?
Fair Winds
3Dogs
 
Joe, I have a 9.8 Merc on an MLB Wigeon. I also built a BB2 Devlin and have a 1750 Monark mod.V jon boat...and an 18' pontoon boat(wife won't let me camo it) and an 18' Oscoda Loon sea kayak that I am too lazy to get out of the rafters anymore. I only used the Wigeon last season but it was too tight with my grandson along so this summer the BB2 will get TLC'd for the first time since I made it and tricked out for a 9 year old and his grampa to use next season.
 
Laws of physics.

You have more of a mechanical advantage with the workings of the steering system than you do with a lever (Archimedes' Principle) . I once used a 50 HP tiller steer Evinrude and after long run run in choppy water my arm was tired and sore. Converted it to wheel steering and solved the problem. Having said that, you do look more Studly standing in the stern with a tiller steer set up.

Best,
Harry
 
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