Which engine control unit do I need?

[rburlington]

I am getting ready for the coming boating season on the Illinois River.  One project is to replace a poorly functioning engine control unit on my 1982 Express Fisherman that is powered by a 1986 225 Yamaha outboard motor.

The current control unit is an old single lever, dual function Morse with power trim and tilt.  It is very stiff, often refuses to move into neutral position, generally gets out of adjustment easily causing a lot of grinding in and out of gear, and tries to drop back into gear when you want to add rpms in neutral.

What should I replace it with?  Should I go with a single lever dual function unit or with a dual lever single function unit?  What specific brands and models (that include power trim and tilt) would any of you recommend?  What dealers can I get them from?

Thanks very much

[John Jones]

Yamaha 704

Dual lever controls are a real PITA unless you are used to them, especially when manuvering in tight quarters.

Go here.  If you need the binnacle mount they should be on that site also.

http://www.boats.net/_search/commonpart ... amaha&ID=1

[rburlington]

Thank you very much.  I will check into the 704.  I think my control is so bad it has always required two hands to operate since I have owned the boat, especially when trying to get it out of gear; but your comment on tight situations makes sense if the control works easily and can move nearly seamlessly between forward/reverse, in/out of gear, and higher and lower rpms.  I have had plenty of difficult moments in locks and docks resulting from the current control box.  Around here the lock masters frequently bring the recreational boats into the locks in large numbers and often require you to float freely in the lock on up and down transfers.  This results in a  lot of close quarter manuvering.

[Capt. Bob]

I'd also check and or replace the control cables as well, if you haven't done that already.

[rburlington]

Good point and I am planning to do so.  The cabels are not in good shape, but when I worked over the control box it did pretty good for about 2 weeks and then went back to its old habits--but might as well do both things at the same time.