Add aft helm to Tomcat?

tinbender · Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2020 12:19 pm Post subject: Add aft helm to Tomcat?

Has anyone added an aft helm to a Tomcat? How involved? Thanks

thataway · Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2020 6:35 pm Post subject:

A couple of the Tom Cats and C Dory 25's have aft helm and control stations. Adding one would not be all that difficult. The factory may even have a mold for the mounting (would be the same for both boats). You would probably be best to convert to fly by wire--Micro Commander--controls. Probably cost for that would be in the 5K range. It can be done with manual controls, but there has to be reworking of the shifter and throttle linkage. You will have to adequate access, which is a bit more difficult in a retro fit and when new, for the junction box and cables.

The second helm station and fittings are in the 1K range. That is the relatively easy part.

Here is a thread on adding a second helm

Another

Another

A Tom Cat

There are several other threads if you do a search.

Colby's 25 C Dory had the second station added; this is relatively simpler than the Tom Cat, using a single second station. Hopefully he will weigh in.

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colbysmith · Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2020 6:47 pm Post subject:

My 25 already had the second helm installed, but with hydraulic steering it's really no different than adding an autopilot as far as the hydraulics go. The previous owner had a throttle control for the kicker installed at that second helm as well. So while I can steer both engines from either the cabin or cockpit helm, the main throttle is only controlled at the cabin helm and the kicker throttle is only controlled at the cockpit helm. Colby