Helms 101

[SportFishCruising]

As an exercise, I am interested in forum members general and educational comments about differences in these two helms, from same model HATT, with 10 year span in mfg dates. The older helm has brand new Cummings and the more modern has the DD's. The Cummings has a single set of throttles, how does it work in comparison to the more common dual set?

 

[Will]

As for engine control, the big difference is that the single lever controls are electric and the older ones are cable. I prefer cable controls over electric because they require less maintenance, are easier to repair and will work even when you have an electrical failure. Of course, the Cummins engines may not work without electrical power anyway so maybe the latter issue is unimportant. Detroits once started, require no electrical power to run.
As for single vs dual lever engine controls (there are single lever cable controls as well), that is a matter of personal preference. I prefer single level controls myself.
Will

 

[REBrueckner]

I had only one boat with single lever controls...manual cable....and loved it. Half the number of things to handle when backing down into a slip and turned away from the helm....I still don't understand why mechanical single lever controls aren't standard.

I think electric controls are overkill on typical cruising boats...too complicated....

The single lever controls do offer the opportunity to increase RPMS in neutral by pulling the lever out from the base to the outside and then moving it forward....they also prevent the operator from accidentally changing gear when at high RPMS....even someone losing balance and falling against the controls simply speeds an engine up or down...you can't switch gears without slowing down....

 

[Bob Bradley]

On the other hand, old habits are hard to break. After running boats with separate throttles and shifts for over 30 years, I ran a small Ski Nautique last summer one afternoon. I approached the dock, and to slow down, I shifted deftly into reverse.


All the way into reverse.


Full speed reverse.


Boy, that got attention.