NEED QUICK HELP! 1985 force 85hp

[Rough n' Ready]

I have the opportunity to purchase a 1985 force 85hp outboard tonite for practically nothing. The motor is in good condition, but it has no controls. Here are my questions that I need answered.
1. Can you convert this engine to a tiller? If so would that just rip my wrists off?
2. How much would it cost to replace all the controls? And is there any alternatives to a regular console setup? Because I cannot sacrafice that amount of room in my boat.

Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: NEED QUICK HELP! 1985 force 85hp

I have never heard of a tiller higher horsepower Force so seeing that Force parts are already tough to find, I'd think this conversion would be pretty difficult or impossible to pull off. How big is your boat? Not to be critical but I'm thinking a boat that doesn't have room for a console probably isn't rated for an 85HP motor either. I could, of course, be wrong.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: NEED QUICK HELP! 1985 force 85hp

You can not convert to tiller steering. The mounting just is not there. Control boxes and cables sell on ebay for anywhere from 35 bucks on up. You could investigate "Stick Steering" on your boat. basically a lever that mounts on the gunwale. Push forward to go one direction, pull rearward to go the other. I have seen them on smaller engines like 35 but don't knopw if it is good for larger engines.

 

[Rough n' Ready]

Re: NEED QUICK HELP! 1985 force 85hp

I have never heard of a tiller higher horsepower Force so seeing that Force parts are already tough to find, I'd think this conversion would be pretty difficult or impossible to pull off. How big is your boat? Not to be critical but I'm thinking a boat that doesn't have room for a console probably isn't rated for an 85HP motor either. I could, of course, be wrong.

Its an 18' jon boat, but I have it setup with platforms for bowfishing which would make building a steering console pretty tough to fit in. So from your opinion am I better off passing on this?

Thanks, RnR

 

[jkoppe73]

Re: NEED QUICK HELP! 1985 force 85hp

Where are you located? If you are not interested in this engine, others might be, like me!!

 

[Rough n' Ready]

Re: NEED QUICK HELP! 1985 force 85hp

Where are you located? If you are not interested in this engine, others might be, like me!!

Minnesota, twin cities area. Like I said its going to be sold by tomorrowso tonite its your only chance!