1956 Evinrude Fastwin 15 Controls

[JakeCo88]

I recently purchased a 1956 Evinrude Fastwin 15 with a tiller controls. I was curious what parts were necessary to hook this motor up to a steering wheel and throttle controls, or if it was even possible to do so. My boat has nothing but some pulleys in the rear corners. I plan to put in a new steering console and dash. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1956 Evinrude Fastwin 15 Controls

HI Jake. A tiller to controls conversion requires a few basic parts most of which can be found on aomci.org, ebay, or other sites. First, you'll need a vintage control box with a throttle and shift lever (free- $40). You'll then need 2 cables to go into the control box. The cables themselves are identical except for the fittings that go on the motor end. New cables can be purchased here at iboats for about $30 each. (http://www.iboats.com/Johnson-Type-...9608949--**********.522748414--view_id.250883)
You'll also need an adapter for each end of the cables. One is for the shifter and one is for the throttle. Again, check online for your best deals. Next will be the helm. While you can set up a vintage "Pulley and Cable" system, they can be a little unsafe and most folks tend to go with a modern rotary or rack and pinion steering system. You can get a complete steering set up here at iboats for about $120, or you can look online for a good used one. (http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Steering...9608949--**********.522748414--view_id.217122).

Here's a link to show you how to do the job itself. It's not very hard, but the price does add up. You might also want to check your local c-list adds. You might be able to find an old boat that you can salvage the controls from. You might need a few new cables, but that's not too expensive. Holler if you get stuck.

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/03/columns/max/05/part2.htm

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1956 Evinrude Fastwin 15 Controls

I personally love the cable/pulley system on my antique boats/motors. However I am a bit of a purist when it comes to the old rigs.

The other thing you will need that you may or may not already have on your motor, which you likely do if you in fact have the pulleys installed are the guides/brackets for the aforementioned cable ends that kfa mentioned. There will be one on either side for both the shift cable and the throttle.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1956 Evinrude Fastwin 15 Controls

Use the cable-over-pulleys system on that old motor, it wasn't designed for the more modern push-pull cable systems. You won't like the modern push-pull cable system. It won't steer that old motor hard-over to hard-over, making docking and manuvering a pain. If you set it up to get even half way decent steering arc, it won't allow full tilting without interference, meaning danger of breaking something.

BTW, a well laid out and properly installed cable over pulleys system isn't dangerous. Race boats use them. Well, older race boats anyway.

If you don't already have the helm, look for the kind that has spiral cable grooves on the drum. Unfortunately, nobody makes thae any more, so you have to look around to find one.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1956 Evinrude Fastwin 15 Controls

I actually like the look of the old style pulley system too. My boat still has all of the pulleys intact, but I haven't gotten around to hooking it all up yet. I started too, but it started adding up a little too quick, so I made a $2 PVC, tiller extension instead. LOL. I'd still like a helm though. I like that the pulley system is in plain view, simple and purely mechanical. If you do want to go the old-school route you'll need some hardware like this: http://www.duckworksbbs.com/hardware/steering/01/index.htm

You can do a search here in the forums for the two methods you can use to hook it up.

Just out of curiosity, is there anyway to hook up this style system for a center console, rather than the usual runabout side console, or race boat set up? Perhaps the cables could be routed under the floor some how.


http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=281025&highlight=cable+pulley+steering

 

[F_R]

Re: 1956 Evinrude Fastwin 15 Controls

I don't remember ever seeing it on a center console, but I suppose all things are possible if you are determined enough. I once serviced a 40 ft twin outboards houseboat with the helm in a pedestal and cables under the floor. But there was enough room under there for me to crawl around. I still remember being under there because when I came out I was told that President Kennedy had just been shot.