Tiller Extension Help

[walker2713]

 

 

Join Date: Jul 2024

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 Tiller Extension

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I recently bought a 15 ft. Wellbilt Jon boat with a 25 horse e-etc motor. I’m 84 years old, and find it difficult to manage the tiller while sitting on the back seat. I’m going to put a folding chair on the middle seat area, and want to buy a tiller extension.

Could someone please give me some advice on which one to get, etc.etc.

Thanks, George

[walker2713]

[WRB]

HelmsMate Tiller extension telescoping 18”-24”.  Also small outboard tiller to stick steering kits available but pricey.

Welcome to BR

Tom

[Catt]

Don't do it!

 

Those extensions do not stay tight on the handle due to the material the OEM handle is made of. A folding chair would not be a safe option either.

 

I put a pedestal seat off to one side on the back "seat". If necessary I will straddle the back seat (sit side saddle).

[gim]

25 minutes ago, Catt said:

I put a pedestal seat off to one side on the back "seat". If necessary I will straddle the back seat (sit side saddle).

 

That's what we did too when we had a 16 foot tiller with benches growing up.  Mounted a swivel chair slightly towards one side of the boat right on the back bench.

 

I can't comment about the tiller handle extension thing, we never had one.  I would definitely recommend against the folding chair idea.  You need something bolted down, not a flimsy folding chair.

[airshot]

You might consider a side console addition, much safer and dependable !

[Catt]

All Jon Boats down are sold with 3 pedestal seat bases on the rear bench. We have done it this way so long manufacturers offer it as an option.

 

 

[DogBone_384]

Sorry I can’t help. The only tiller I’ve ever driven is a 52’ KME.

[Catt]

Good luck 😉

[Way2slow]

I have a hard time with the tiller extension idea.  First off, by the time you got it to where you wanted it, you would only have a few degrees of turning capability.  

I use one of these and just move my seat over.  I'm 77 and have very limited movement of my neck and back so twisting around to operate the tiller is not an option for me either.  Being able to offset the seat works great though.  Please note, the one I've referenced is a 33", I don't think you will be happy with the shorter slides that some have.  Also get a pivot base so you can turn the seat.  Also note, I am left-handed so I offset mine to the right, you may want to go to the other side if you are right handed.  Might notice another handy little thing I did.  On the transom under the tiller handle you see a flat bar.  That's a slide on bracket held by the spring tension in the steel I made to hold the transducer.  Keeps from having to make holes below the water line to mount a bracket and keeps your transducer from getting knocked off.  Amazon.com : Wise 8WD73 Sure Mount Seat Bracket Kit, 33", Aluminum : Boat Seating Accessories : Sports & Outdoors  

[WRB]

That is good option. The swivel seat attached to the plate that locks into the front bracket sliding wherever you want it…..perfect 👍

 

Tom
 

[Catt]

This is my son Scotty & friend Jacob. Notice how Scotty is sitting on the pedestal seat & the seat it in the base. Instead of twisting to reach the tiller you simply swivel.

 

[WRB]

That is exactly how the seat & bracket  Way2Slow  posted would position the boat driver, to one with a swivel seat except seat location is fully adjustable.

Tom

[Catt]

The bench seat doubles as a rear casting deck.

 

[Way2slow]

Catt, at least you get to use yours and keep it clean.  Mine hasn't been off the trailer in two years, as you can tell from the picture.  I used to take the motor off and flip it upside down on the trailer, but both the 9.9 and the 25 seem to have double in weight over the past couple of years, so I quit that.  I do take the TM and electronics off and seats out and store them. I run the 25 in the lakes and 9.9 in the rivers and it's a job for this old man to change them these days.  Some of the larger creeks and small rivers are so bad for laydowns, I use my 4hp on it for the smaller lower unit and less draft.  Done got too old think about using the canoe in them.

[Catt]

@Way2slow I hear ya 😉

 

Scotty has taken over handling the boat, I still run the trolling motor. I can't fish out of a canoe or kayak, I gotta have a seat. 

[airshot]

On 9/13/2024 at 11:03 AM, Way2slow said:

Catt, at least you get to use yours and keep it clean.  Mine hasn't been off the trailer in two years, as you can tell from the picture.  I used to take the motor off and flip it upside down on the trailer, but both the 9.9 and the 25 seem to have double in weight over the past couple of years, so I quit that.  I do take the TM and electronics off and seats out and store them. I run the 25 in the lakes and 9.9 in the rivers and it's a job for this old man to change them these days.  Some of the larger creeks and small rivers are so bad for laydowns, I use my 4hp on it for the smaller lower unit and less draft.  Done got too old think about using the canoe in them.

I hear ya on getting old, its here before ya know it !!!  My wife says " the only thing golden in your golden years is the color if your pee !!"

[TnRiver46]

On 9/14/2024 at 6:20 PM, airshot said:

I hear ya on getting old, its here before ya know it !!!  My wife says " the only thing golden in your golden years is the color if your pee !!"

In your golden years, you get to give all your gold to the pharmacy 

[Way2slow]

I Don't have to worry about that.  Being retired military and on social security with medicare, my medications cost me less than $40 a month.  It's only that much because of one I take the copay is $36 every two months, but not complaining about that because a two-month prescription for it over the counter is $12,000 (that's not a typo).  Add to the fact I have to go to a rheumatologist every 90 days and have blood work done each time, that could all get very expensive but cost me nothing.  The other few I take are $12 each for 90-day refill

[airshot]

I have one that costs 160 per month, was only 45 per month, but it increased when insulin dropped to 35 per month !!  No one told us that when they reduced insulin and a couple others that 90 other meds would increase in price.....