For boaters who don’t want to pilot from a dashboard, Mercury Marine has introduced a new tiller handle. It’s compatible with outboard engines from 40 to 115 hp.
It may seem an all too simple way of piloting, perhaps because it is little more than an evolution of the atavistic wooden bar that used to turn the rudder blade. But in reality there are many users of small boats and ribs who are fond of the tiller, for the most varied reasons. It’s them whom Mercury Marine has involved, in the process of developing a new tiller handle that was more ergonomic, comfortable, responsive and adaptive, capable of improving the boating experience.
Don’t mind the hand
Mercury’s new tiller has many adjustments, in order to allow boaters to comfortably operate it regardless of driving-hand preference. It claims to be the only one on the market with the capability not only to swap the shift handle to either side of the tiller, but also to reverse the throttle grip rotation to the boater’s preference.
The handle has side-to-side adjustments up to 18 degrees port and starboard, but boaters may also adjust the vertical angle through an auto-tilt-lock system or down-stop angle micro adjustment knob.
These adjustments, along with the design of other touch points and controls, work together to provide a highly customizable steering and throttle controls that adjust to the boater’s body proportions and positioning.
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Mercury tiller handle’s innovations don’t stop with ergonomics. It comes standard with Mercury Troll Control, which allows the boater to dial in precise trolling speeds by tapping a button to increase or decrease speed in 10-rpm increments (the competition offers 50-rpm increments). New for Mercury is an integrated Engine Warning Display that includes visual and audible warnings for engine oil, temperature, electrical and other lesser faults, or if the driver’s safety lanyard becomes disconnected. Maybe Evinrude has something similar with the electronic tillers for the new 115 and 140 hp E-TEC G2 engines, but in the latter case we’re also talking of brand new engines.
Sold separately there’s an industry-first heated grip that offers three levels of heat for cold-weather conditions.
Mercury’s all-new 40-115hp tiller is compatible with the 40-60 hp EFI four-stroke family of engines built since 2006, and the 80-115 hp EFI four-stroke family of engines built since 2014.
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