[Rhodes22-list] outboard shifter lever extension

[Bob Garrant]

I would definitely like to see a picture please. I’m planning to extend my
shifter so I would like to have different options to consider.
Thanks
Bob Garrant
 S/v Sail la Vie 2000
Kent Island, MD

On Sat, May 30, 2020 at 10:17 PM Graham Stewart <gstewart8 at cogeco.ca> wrote:

> I expect that different motors might require different shifter extension
> styles. I made one using PVC plastic conduit. The inside diameter of the
> conduit fit perfectly over the shifter on the motor. I put a piece about 8"
> over the shifter and then attached it to a 24" piece with a hinge I made
> using dowel driven into the two parts and then joined with a half lap join
> with a bolt through the center.
>
> This arrangement has one feature that is both a pro and a con depending on
> your viewpoint. Because the shifter simply drops over the motors shift
> lever
> it does not need to be attached. This makes it easy to remove by simply
> lifting it up. The fact that it sits over the lever means that it can
> rotate
> and that becomes important in my case as otherwise when I make a sharp turn
> the shifter will hit the stern rail thereby restricting maneuverability.
> Being able to remove the unit is handy when I raise the motor and in other
> situations where the extension can get in your way. Because it is a tube it
> floats if you cap the handle end. The con is that it can come off by
> shifting forward too vigorously. That happened only once and now I know to
> be less enthusiastic about shifting.
>
> I love being able to bring my boat into dock without the indignity of
> having
> to hang over the stern rail and peer between my legs to see where I am
> going. I am just too old for that.
>
> It works perfectly for my purposes and cost nothing.
>
> I don't have a picture on hand but would be happy to take one if anyone
> would like to see it.
>
>
> Graham Stewart
> Agile, Rodes 22, 1976
> Kingston Ontario
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rhodes22-list [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf
> Of
> Jesse Shumaker
> Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2020 5:21 PM
> To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] outboard shifter lever extension
>
> Fortunately, I have a slip this year so it is a lot easier to get on the
> water.  I've found that maneuvering into a slip requires more precision
> than
> coming up to the T-dock which was I was used to last year.  On the T-dock
> you could often find a place to come up into the wind.  As I mentioned in a
> prior post, my wife is also learning how to skipper as well.  Reaching back
> down to shift between forward / neutral / reverse required turning a round
> to locate and reach the gear shift lever on the outboard.  Some brief
> searching on "da list" showed that others have found this a challenge.
> Adding cockpit controls for the outboard is not cheap, so my work around
> was
> to add an extension to the shift lever.  I used a 1/2" x 1" piece cut to
> length.  I can't recall the exact length but if any one else wants to do
> this they should probably measure on their boat anyway based on their
> outboard to make sure the lever stays under stern rail when raising the
> motor.  I attached it with a couple of stainless steel hose clamps.  I
> painted the lever and added some white electric tape as a handle.  A
> simple,
> cheap (and less than elegant) but functional solution.
>
> I wouldn't be surprised if others have already done this, but I'm just
> sharing in case others might find this helpful.  Now I don't have to turn
> around and bend down to operate the shifter lever.
>
> <http://rhodes-22.1065344.n5.nabble.com/file/t907/SLE01.jpg>
> <http://rhodes-22.1065344.n5.nabble.com/file/t907/SLE02.jpg>
>
>
>
> --
> Sent from: http://rhodes-22.1065344.n5.nabble.com/
>
>