dual station dual control

D

DodgeRam

New member
Here is my update on my dual station . When I first saw that boat 15 years ago , I knew then that one day I would be owning one. Here we are 2005 C-DORY with 100 hrs almost on it . I told Sharon that I would buy this boat only if I could have steering & trottles control in the back. My dealer told me that because I was putting twin engines that it was not financially feasible to install trottle controls in the cockpit. Steering yes, but controls would cost any where from 6 to 7 Ks , don't need it he says on a boat that size bla.... bla.... bla.... Well I told him to order the boat with twin steering and let me worry about the controls. While I was waiting for the boat to be built I did my own research. Bought every thing I needed , helm dual control, back dual control, push pull cables. Than when the boat arrived I brought it home to do my own install before the dealer installed my engines . I have to tell you that having those rear controls is simply awsome, getting in and out of marina by your self makes life so much easier. Talk about fishing for salmon by your self you can streer, control speed , stop the boat all while your fighting the fish. doesn't get any better than that .I also installed two switches that I bought from the dealer ( new for 2005 on YAMAHA mid range engines ). That switch usally is an option that is installed on the tiller handle. I bought 2 then modified them so they fit right beside my control in the back. At the touch of the button on that switch it gives you the choice of RPM from 900 to 500 in 50 RPM increments. And yes the new YAMAHA are build to troll at these speeds all day long. Got to love that new technolgy. Gary SEA RAM PS did I told you that I love my DODGE , it can to run all day long at 1800 RPM
 
Sounds GREAT!
Its scenarios likes this one that really makes being a BRAT a valuable and cruising enhancing (is that a sentence) experience.
Details and photos when-able please.
and Congratulations!
(I think its the most enjoyable when the "experts" say it can't be done).
CHEERS
John
 
I love my rear helm and wouldn't be without it. It sure makes anchoring in the river a pleasure (or at least easier) and it is fantastic for pulling crab pots.
 
Very interesting DodgeRam (<- I got one too! :wink )

I would really like to see photos of your cockpit helm station.

I was under the impression that one had to had hydraulic steering in order to accommodate dual helm steering, is this correct or not?

Does anyone know if the 50RPM incremental switch is available of the Honda BF40?
 
k3nlind":34309jk1 said:
Very interesting DodgeRam (<- I got one too! :wink )

I would really like to see photos of your cockpit helm station.

I was under the impression that one had to had hydraulic steering in order to accommodate dual helm steering, is this correct or not?

Does anyone know if the 50RPM incremental switch is available of the Honda BF40?
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure you need hydrolic steering. How difficult is it to add the throttle control, especially if everything is already rigged? How much do you estimate it cost you to had the second helm?
 
Hope you are not asking me nor awaiting my reply, flapbreakker. I don't have the foggiest idea. My 22 has only the main helm...
 
Hydrolic steering is required and while you could rig up a mechanical linkage I would go hydrolic just to get away from cables.
My boat was already rigged but when I went to repower I was apauled at the price for controlls if I were to have gome to twin motors. The more I think about it the more I like having a single and a kicker anyway ;)
 
you edited it you bugger,
That dual setup with controls sure would be the bees knees for fishing and docking.
DogeRam- ya going to rig up dual controls for the dodge next?
 
B~C":5fb5rtx1 said:
DogeRam- ya going to rig up dual controls for the dodge next?
Click to expand...

If his truck is like mine, I already have dual controls. She makes that clear every time I kick it up a few notches.
 
Sneaks":2jlgmwgt said:
If his truck is like mine, I already have dual controls. She makes that clear every time I kick it up a few notches.
Click to expand...

All them trucks come with that feature. As much as I hate to admit it, Ford does have a huge advantage there. With the Power Stroke wound up, you can't hear it.

As for the boat, I want the dual control station too. The older 25s don't have windows at the rear of the cabin, so standing out back looking over the roof seems like it would be real handy. One of these days. Have to get the SeaStar steering first. If anyone is planning ahead for a second steering station, keep in mind that the less expensive BayStar system doesn't lend it self to the second steering valve.
 
Yes Mike your right , you have to have the Sea Star hydraulic system in order to have dual steering. Sorry about being slow for the pictures, believe it or not I do not own a digital camera yet! Seems that every time I got the money to buy one , I come back home with something for the boat instead. So yesterday I finally ask one of my buds to take some pictures so I can show you my install. He burned them on a disk yesterday afternoon , now I have to learn how to put those picture in my profile? My truck already has dual controls! They sit in the back-- a chocolate Lab, 5 1/2 name Tia who sits on port side & a cocker spaniel , 10 named Missy, who sits on starboard side. Gary SEA RAM, PS Am I allowed to put pictures of my Dodge on My profile?!...
 
Am I allowed to put pictures of my Dodge on My profile?!...
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Of course you can! It's a good thing I got this before the Ford guy did, though.

You now have an album set up for SeaRam. It is linked to your Profile and you can get to it by clicking the link that shows up to the left of all your posts. Thanks for the pictures!

Yep - needing the $1000 SeaStar instead of the $500 BayStar is why I haven't got the hyraulic steering on yet. Too bad, because the cheaper unit is more than adequate for my 130. The hydraulic system is the first step, and it is a simple matter of tapping into the lines to add the second station.

For the motor controls, did you use those mixing box gizmos for the cables, or some other way? It will be neat to see the pictures. Especially your truck.
 
Dodgeram:

You have successfully put together a system that I have been thinking about for over a year. Your pictures show a very clean installation approach. I would be interested in seeing a bill of materials for the dual helm shift & throttle controls. Thanks for your help in this regards,
Rollie/C-Batical
 
Rollie it might not be practical in your situation to go with dual controls. Unless you are willing to spend a fair amount of money ! Let me try to clarify my self, if you do not intend to buy new engines , in your situation you would have to get rid of your existing controls. I believe you already have your ignition switches, chokes, and harnesses that go to the back. If the cost is not a problem , than you will need to install the keys ,choke, and harness at a different location. Than proceed with the new shift throttle install. On the other hand if one is buying a new boat, the process is different . As you know when you buy a new boat and order new engines on the process, all your gauges, harnesses,and shift throttles, and installation are all extra. So cost wise , all you need to have for a system like mine is not really that much more. Because dealer don't really install such a system on small boat like ours, they will offer you a bulky electronic system like used on more expensive boats or yatchs. Without getting involve in the cost of dual Sea Star hydraulic ( mine were install at the factory as I order my boat with them) my system that I purchased my self and also installed cost me around 2100 can. small tokens for what I am getting out of them. Hope it anwsers you question. Gary
 
Gary,
Is there a website or company that does the custom Throttle boxes? I've never seen anything like yours!

Also, you seem to be saying that your throttles are mechanical and not the expensive electric one's you find on the mega-yachts. Do the throttles move at both stations when they are moved?
Finally, you have a key at the forward station... is there a kill switch or anything aft?

Thanks!

John
 
From the looks of the controls on SeaRam they look like standard Morse Controls. The caveaut to that is that you only want one of them to have "detents" so that you can still shift from the other. Basically you have cables that run from one control to the other. And then another set of cables that run to the motor. So both sets levers move when one is moved. This is the way that all those old cruisers with flying bridges have worked for years. And this is the way I plan to do it on my boat when I get the new engine installed.

A kill switch aft is a good idea and should be relatively easy to install. I hadn't thought of doing that.
 
Gary , you are right could not have said it any better. As for the kill switch it is only a switch tap to your main power ( I believe) . The Cobelt system that I am using is been around since 1968 Canadian Co. base out of Vancouver BC. It is a awsome system, stay on your RPM setting 99% of the time. IT can be use for dual or single engines . Gary SEARAM
 
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