Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: Tiller Steering on a 17'
Posted by JPB on 12/07/09 - 3:09 PM
#1
Anybody have experience setting up a 17 foot with tiller steering?
Joey
Posted by HarleyFXDL on 12/07/09 - 3:22 PM
#2
Not much to it. Hang an engine off the back that has a tiller. A lot of work boats have that set up cause it leaves a big open deck to work with.
Posted by number9 on 12/07/09 - 3:28 PM
#3
No experience here but you have all kinds of options starting with a clean canvas. It would be nice to open up all that space.
What hp would you be using?
Posted by John Fyke on 12/07/09 - 3:36 PM
#4
Just my 2 cents but why would you?
Posted by JPB on 12/07/09 - 3:48 PM
#5
Yea, I am thinking a 50 or 60 four stroke would meet our needs. I would like to get opinions on weight placement while maintaining the open deck and how the added weight at the rear from the driver might effect performance.
The boat will be rigged with a 30 gallon bait well, 2 down riggers, trolling motor, 2 deep cycle batteries, and bow rail for fly casting. I am thinking a simple teak bench across the back....at times I would like to stand while driving so a grab bar would be nice somewhere....
Just free thinking here..feel free to jump in....Thanks
Joey
Posted by HarleyFXDL on 12/07/09 - 5:41 PM
#6
I've seen a whaler on LI used as a clam boat. He had removed everything from interior and had a tiller outboard. Mind you this is how he put food on the table though.
Posted by HarleyFXDL on 12/08/09 - 7:59 AM
#8
That's a little over the top Rich. Those guys should have their heads examined.
Posted by JPB on 12/08/09 - 3:19 PM
#9
"Boats don't kill people....people kill people"
Posted by womms on 12/08/09 - 4:41 PM
#10
Rich, where do you come up with this stuff?
Posted by HarleyFXDL on 12/09/09 - 7:56 AM
#12
Surface drive units are popular in the far east. Big rock still present a hazard.
Posted by Fishmore on 12/09/09 - 8:08 AM
#13
Just last weekend I was thinking about a 17 with tiller steering. My wife always complains that there is not enough seating in the Montauk and I had a brief fantasy after seeing a Honda 60 at the dealer showroom. I decided it would devalue the boat too much. If you are interested in doing this there is a book called the The Outboard Boater's Handbook, by David R. Getchell, Price: $21.95 it goes in to this subject of tiller steered boats with an 18 foot Lund the author used to travel northeastern coastal waters. There is also a section on dressing up a Whaler for camping. It is a good book for ideas.
Posted by vkg65 on 12/09/09 - 8:36 AM
#14
I'm putting one together this winter. I agree the extra room is great! I will add a fwd mahogany casting platform and a 12" aft bench seat. I read 50 hp is the max hp BW suggest w/ a tiller. I feel a 40hp will be fine. This will be our clam / flounder rig and use the Nauset for cruising. Tom
Posted by JPB on 12/09/09 - 4:43 PM
#15
Fishmore.....Thanks for the book references. After installing the console, I am pretty sure it will just get in our way. I am going to take a step back before going forward.
Tom....Keep me updated on you project and post some pics if you have them.
Posted by tom blinstrub on 12/17/09 - 5:29 AM
#16
35 or 40 hp is max recomended tiller steering on the 16 ft. but those bigger tiller motors have longer tiller handles than the older motors from the early days.but with all that weight on the back end with you there and your batteries you better figure a way to secure the batteries,fuel,bait tank,etc up forward or you will sit a?s heavy and have trouble planning at a slow speed.before i installed the console in my 16 i ran one season with twin 8hp tohatsu 2strokes at 120 lbs total.i kept one motor tighened down so it wouldn't turn and used the other to steer.it worked great and at 90% power she would cruise at 11 to 12 knots and level.sure got some crazy looks.good luck
Posted by vkg65 on 12/17/09 - 5:45 AM
#17
Tom,
Thanks for the information. I built a fwd casting platform w/ 4/4 mahogany and installed a 16 gal. fuel tank under it. I hope this hepls to off-set the weight in the stern.
Posted by Fishmore on 12/17/09 - 9:47 PM
#18
A 40hp motor should do fine in that application. Before I converted mine to a Montauk it was a Currituck with a Yamaha 40hp 2-stroke, it pushed the boat to 28mph WOT and cruised around 18-20mph.