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Engine Controls

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by SplashFl, Sep 27, 2025 at 2:55 PM.

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  1. SplashFl, Sep 28, 2025 at 2:56 PM
    #21
    SplashFl

    SplashFl Senior Member

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    Feb 2, 2021
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    Location:
    S. Florida _ Bertram 46
    Not yet checked my fish scale against a known accurate scale but just checked the throttles & gears on the bridge and will speak with the mechanic working on them on his next visit. Port gear control was about 7 lbs. Starboard gear awaiting a parts delivery. Port throttle 6 lbs. & Starboard throttle 10 lbs. with the scales hook grabbing just below the round handle balls. If mechanic can get them all down to 6 I'll stick with the hydraulic for now.
    Still fresh in mind were electronic cable conversion controls once installed on previous Bert but 3 of the 4 were wiped out when lightning hit a boat a couple homes to my west. Don't recall the brand but upon return the company sent a full refund.
  2. mapism, Sep 28, 2025 at 7:19 PM
    #22
    mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Location:
    Sardinia
    I take your word on SFs, because in my neck of the woods there aren't many around.
    But I did come across several Kobelt controls in fast MYs (both OEM installed and retrofitted), obviously also in the f/b, hence much more exposed to weather than in the main helm.
    Some of them were 20+ years old, and the worst I've seen happening to them is that the control head at the base of the levers loses its shine and looks worn out, in the chromed version (as opposed to the more durable black version).
    BTW, Kobelt controls can also be interfaced with their own wired remote, which is somewhat ugly but very solid, and allows full control of everything: gear/throttle/rudder/thruster.
    Which for all intent and purpose, can also replace a fixed third station.
  3. mapism, Sep 28, 2025 at 7:31 PM
    #23
    mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    At risk of stating the obvious, another thing to consider is that with electronic controls you lose the separate levers for gear and throttle.
    Which many folks hate, but most of those used to them (myself included) prefer them to single levers every day of the week and twice on Sunday!
  4. rtrafford, Sep 29, 2025 at 9:08 AM
    #24
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    I obviously went with single lever side controls for the PB helm setup. But I do recall that I could have gone with independent throttles and gears, say had I set up a second station aboard. The flexibility was available with Kobelt.

    upload_2025-9-29_9-7-44.png
  5. rtrafford, Sep 29, 2025 at 9:14 AM
    #25
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    edit: In looking quickly at their web product guide it doesn't;'t appear that they offer separate throttle and gear units today. Perhaps that's a bad memory or a change in their line.
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