Rigging

[Jason2tpa]

When I bought my boat/motor a year ago my plan was to elevate the helm, sort of like a half tower but not as high. So that's my soon to start next project. Lot's of details involved with building the custom helm, etc.

One big detail that didn't occur to me when I invented this idea, but is quite obvious now, is by raising the helm I'll need to extend cables, harnesses, etc. At most were talking about a 3ft elevation of controls, wheel, and such.

No doubt I'll need to replace the steering cable. There is no slack to give there. I'm pretty sure there is plenty of slack in the main engine harness. I know for sure there is plenty of slack in the PT/T harness.

Other than the steering cable, main engine harness, and control harness, is there any other rigging connecting engine to helm controls I'm missing?

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Keep in mind, raising the helm will also exasperate the rocking, up and down of the hull...

It won't be alot but keep that in mind...

Not rigging related but if you have some sort of seat/leaning post, that'll have to be raised too..

[DennisG01]

3' higher in a 17' boat (beam?) might actually be quite a big difference. The increased height, in comparison to the size of the boat, is a pretty good amount. I'd definitely try and find some way of experimenting with this before doing anything permanent. And be sure to experiment in adverse conditions (waves), even if you have to have another boat make them for you.

[cpostis]

Jason, have considered the additional weight your plan will add to your 17' boat and the affect it might have in handling.

[Jason2tpa]

All of you who have commented below make valid points, all of which had been thought through over the course of a year.

Perhaps I should have been more concise when stating the change in height elevation. The 3ft elevation I mentioned is related to the controls, not the height increase of the standing platform as it relates to the deck. The standing height I intend to add will be between 12"-16" from deck up. If I were to elevate the standing platform 3ft I would be standing above the gunnels, and indeed I would be a rock'n and rollin'.

The added length of up to 3ft for the controls is because the center console is far lower to my liking, but that's how it was when I bought the boat. The throttle and steering are roughly 2ft above the deck (it's a low rise console). My leaning post's seat is at 30", so as you can imagine I'm leaning over the controls quite a bit while sitting.

So the increase in standing height as mentioned is only 12-16", but the length increase to the controls is more like 12-16" PLUS 12-24".

I've done the rough weight numbers. It's a nominal increase. I'd be removing a bulky fiberglass console (40-50lb) and installing a standing platform, helm control box, and 4 AL tubes. All of which weigh less than 80lbs. So in the end we're talking about a difference of weight of 30-40lbs. Which is the same as putting 3-4 ice bags in the cooler. No effect on boat performance, especially because the weight added rests over the hulls cross axis center line.

Took a look under the console today to check how much additional length I had for each harness/cable. Luckily, both the main harness and PT/T harness have 4-5ft more slack. The steering cable definitely would need replacement, as well as the throttle/shift cable. The former is about $100, the latter $50. So the cost of elevating the helm from a controls standpoint isn't as bad as I thought it would be.