Single lever vs two lever controls?

smanni · Post by **smanni** » Tue May 29, 2007 4:50 am

I like the twin controls as I am used to it - BUT - Tom Ward - who is a regular an the b31 website - buys old berts, fixes them up - then usually sells them and either buys a smaller one or larger one. I saw his 38 that he redid at last years AC rendezvous and he eliminated tghe twin controls for the single - He thought it made control easier and made it so you cant kick it into or out of gear at a high rpm. He said that no matter how good you are or how used to the twin controls you are - in a sticky situation, you might have a tendency to throttle up a little to turn - then want to correct and kick out of gear at a higher than idle RPM. I know I have a couple times - ALl that being said - Tom knows more about boats and boating than I do - but I still like the twin controls Also - he has the nicest 38 I have ever seen!

Chris Anderson · Post by **Chris Anderson** » Tue May 29, 2007 11:14 am

Well Frank .... Here is another option. When I repowered from gas to Yanmars I, well, went a little overboard by changing to ZF/Mathers single lever electronic. (This is likley to futher an ongoing discussion about "fly-by-wire" pros and cons..) 3 words. I Love them. 1000 hrs = 1 small adjustment for the Sync feature and 1 service call to repair a slight jam. I had TWO! issues of people accidently grabing the old port Shift while under way from forward to reverse at 3200 rpm.... amazing that the Velvet Drives held together. So I liked the idea that the Mathers wouldn't allow that to happen. They are so easy! Just another thought for you to consider. Chris

Aussie Syd · Post by **Aussie Syd** » Tue May 29, 2007 4:04 pm

For Frank Price, Frank, thanks for your response to my leaking windows problem, we don't have WestMarine Stores here but I do have their 2006 catalog on page 469 they list number of weather seals and gaskets can you tell me which is suitable for our boat. I can then mail order from them, Thanks Syd

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Wed May 30, 2007 2:09 am

Syd, You need it to be 1/4" thick and 1/2" wide. It looks like the closest thing WestMarine has is 1/4" thick by 3/4" wide, so you may have to cut it down. I was able to find the profile I needed in a local rubber companies catalog but they only had it in silicon and it was very expensive, and also orange colored.So far no leaks, though I don't open the windows for ventilation.

Post by **dougl33** » Wed May 30, 2007 3:14 am

quote:Originally posted by Chris Anderson I had TWO! issues of people accidently grabing the old port Shift while under way from forward to reverse at 3200 rpm.... amazing that the Velvet Drives held together. I hear you. Everytime someone comes up to the bridge and walks past the controls to get to the bench in front of the dash I always place my left hand on the shifters abd hold them firmly in place. I do have a hoop that should prevent people from grabbing them, but you never know. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Thu May 31, 2007 6:23 pm

I guess I will keep the stock setup for now and see how I feel after a season. I do have enough other things to do anyway. Doug.. I like the idea of a bail or hoop to protect the shift levers from being grabbed accidentaly.. it seems to me I saw somewhere a handrail that was installed along the port side of the flybridge console so people passing by had something to hold on to, so they did not grab for the nice clutch handles that look so appealing. Chris.. I was on a new 44' boat a year ago with a delivery captain and it had single lever electronic controls. There was a slight lag in response time after moving the levers. The Cap't did not like them. Does anyone know if this an issue with the installation, or specific control manufacturer, or has the tecghnology improved to a point that this is no longer a concern? Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

Post by **dougl33** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 3:53 am

Frank, I know that mine came with the stainless hoop from the factory. Bill's, Frank's, and Rick's are all set up the same way. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 6:00 am

Frank, I've heard the lag is a setting that can be changed, though there should be a lag or RPM limit when shifting from fwd to rev. May depend on the type and mfg of the fly-by-wire controls. Also, I know a guy who had the electronic controls on a big SeaRay and sold the boat because he didn't like them. John D "Lady D" Bertram 35 Pasadena MD

Chris Anderson · Post by **Chris Anderson** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 12:39 pm

The lag for me is very slight. Mine are ZF/Mathers and I noticed it more at first, but not enough to be bothered. I have heard from my installer that the earlier controls were somewhat more delayed. Now if I had a Sea Ray with these controls, I too would move up to a Bertram. [;)].