How To Drive A Tiller Steer Outboard Boat/Dinghy LIKE A PRO! | BoatUS

Some smaller outboard boats and dinghies don't have a steering wheel. Instead, they have a tiller. A tiller is a handle attached directly to a boat's outboard engine that is both for steering and the throttle. BoatUS Magazine's Lenny Rudow shows you how to drive a tiller steer outboard boat using his crab skiff, but you might find an outboard tiller on a dinghy as well.
One of the advantages of driving a tiller-steer outboard is its maneuverability. A tiller steer boat will turn effortlessly, even at idle speeds, but it does take some time to get used to it because you push and pull the tiller to steer instead of turning a wheel. And it's not always intuitive. Also, you have to rotate the handle at the same time for more or less speed. Another advantage of tiller steering is that it takes up less room on the boat, perfect for carrying passengers or offering more space to move around.
In this video, Lenny will explain the benefits of a tiller steer boat, show you how tiller steering works, and demonstrate the different parts of a tiller including the gear shift, throttle, and tensioner.
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[@no_regerts5176]

Another thing to mention is when using a tiller/prop motor, torque becomes a consideration. You NEVER want to let go of the tiller handle while underway because the torque of the prop can cause the motor to instantaneously snap sideways and can possibly eject you from the boat.

[@boatus]

Thanks so much for the great tip, no regerts! Definitely a good safety reminder.

[@isabelledesfosses]

Thanks for showing this it will be helpful for my dad who recently bought a tiller boat

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Isabelle! Hope your dad finds it helpful, too!

[@stantonclark]

When i got my boat/marine license i did my course with a console, i had my first rowing coaching today in a tinny like this and I found it challenging, this video helped.

[@boatus]

Trying to get the hang of tiller steering is a little bit like learning to back up a boat trailer. Nothing about it seems intuitive, and it takes a lot of practice to do it well. Glad we could help out, and have fun with the coaching gig!

[@mcallard911]

Just bought my first tiller and this video is very helpful. In fact, most comments are also helpful. Thank you all.

[@boatus]

Congrats on the new outboard, mcallard! Glad you found the video and comments helpful. Stay tuned: We are planning some more videos with the skiff this year. Anything specific you want to know more about? Here's to a safe and fun season ahead!

[@johnwilliams8196]

Thanks for this video. I operate a 6hp outboard on a 20 foot sailboat and it gives me all the power and handling I need.

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, John!

[@DadOutdoors]

Not only is it simpler, it's cheaper. Less maintenance than a wheel system, too. I see it as similar to the contrast between automatic and manual transmissions in a car.

[@boatus]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching.

[@mvmarinoa6553]

Thanks Lenny! 👍

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Marinoa!

[@yusufjatta]

Thank you sir

[@boatus]

You are welcome, Yusuf! Thanks for watching

[@jdeb0016]

Thanks 🙂

[@boatus]

You are very welcome, Jason! Glad you found it useful!

[@amosawada53]

What is the function of the choke? And how to operate the choke in the case of starting the engine?

[@boatus]

Thanks for the question, Joseph. The specific engine in this video doesn't have a choke, nor do other modern outboards with EFI fuel delivery systems. If you have an older outboard with a manual choke, as a general rule of thumb you'll want to pull the button or lever out when starting, then push it back in after the engine has run for a minute or two. However, there's a wide range of chokes out there; it may require pushing on the ignition key, lifting an arm, or other processes. In any case, you'll want to engage the choke on start-up, then disengage it as soon as the engine has run enough that it won't stall out.

[@CarlosT-qs6gs]

A bit too basic. It would have been useful to mention that as a safety issue, the operator should always sit on the opposite side of the tiller. If the prop hits an obstruction, particularly in small RIBs, the tiller can violently turn to port and throw the operator overboard.

[@boatus]

Good point, and thanks for the suggestion, Carlos. We''ll put that on a list in case we do a follow-up to this video.

[@Legnerps]

I love that boat!! Make and model please?

[@boatus]

Thanks for the question, @Legnerps! Would you believe that hull is actually a 1980!?!?! Its original builder was called Flounder, and the model was simply the 16. They're long gone now. However, C-Hawk acquired the molds at some point and currently builds a similar skiff called the 16' Tiller with the same hull and a different interior. It has bench seats running across rather than being completely open. It also offers a center-console version called the 16' Center Console. chawkboats.net/welcome-2/product/16-tiller/ chawkboats.net/welcome-2/product/16%e2%80%b2-center-console/ Hope this helps, and thanks for watching!

[@robertdodge6194]

You failed to cover or even mention the issue of whether to lock the motor down or leave it unlocked. If you leave it locked down and hit a rock, it can rip the transom off the boat. Leaving it unlocked seems to be a better option but creates its own issues like the prop coming out of the water during reverse.

[@boatus]

Hi Robert - Most outboard manufacturers recommend running the engine down and locked in "normal" conditions. Operating unlocked can cause the motor to kick up in a dangerous fashion, not only when shifted in reverse but also from rapid deceleration. It's generally only recommended when "operating very slowly" in shallow/dangerous conditions and/or in the partial-tilt shallow mode. When operating at high speeds striking a solid object can, of course, cause all sorts of damage including to the transom, and some boaters who commonly run in shallow and rocky areas do prefer to operate with the tilt unlocked believing it to be less dangerous since strikes are relatively common. We'd always recommend operating the motor slowly, in any case, when a hard strike is a distinct possibility.

[@robertdodge6194]

@@boatus Thank you for an excellent reply which is consistent with my experience. Unfortunately, most of my stern drive experience is fishing on lakes and rivers up north in Maine where rocks are abundant and can really sneak up on you. When you have many miles to cover it can be difficult to operate very slowly so I operate with the tilt unlocked and really pay attention.

[@boatus]

@@robertdodge6194 Thanks for giving us the opportunity to address this!

[@Legnerps]

@boatus I know the feeling,i operate in the back bays of midcoast Maine. I rarely go more than five knots... I now have a fifteen horse power tiller with a 14 foot Mon ark. Could probably go twenty miles an hour but not around here man. I once owned a nice 17 ft center console Aquasport and filed down the skeg on a large long flat rock just submerged at high tide. Lesson learned: know your waters...but still go slow. Enjoy the ride...there's no need to hurry.

[@malekodesouza7255]

The KISS rule.

[@boatus]

💯! Thanks for watching!

[@tomsamford7944]

You didn’t spend any time talking about steering in reverse and the hazards, or the tilt features and how to get the motor back down after it has been tilted up. As a Sailing Instructor these are the hardest things my students face with tiller steer.

[@boatus]

Good points Tom. One must always proceed with caution and go slowly when operating a tiller-steer, or any outboard motor, in reverse. Addressing tilt is a tough, since each manufacturer uses a slightly different system, and the systems they use change through the years and on different models. In this case, the best we can say is to study the owner's manual and practice tilting the motor up and down prior to using it, so you become familiar with the specific model's handles and levers.

[@randomtransitadventures]

WHATS A TILLER

[@fishin11]

I’m SORRY for saying this, but, at 1:40 you say steering can be confusing. This has no bearing on you!! But if a credit card boater is confused on how to turn a boat with a tiller, HE SHOULD NOT OWN ONE, PERIOD!!!!!!! That should not even be mentioned! And to say a you should have a little tension on the friction adjustment to prevent “over steer”??? That has absolutely NOTHING to do with over steering, you either move the tiller handle or you don’t, unbelievable video. Go back to boat school.

[@boatus]

Now, fishin ... I guess you came out of the womb knowing how to use a tiller-steer? Not everyone is so lucky. Let's show a little grace for the folks just learning this. The reality is that using a tiller outboard IS tricky if you're not used to it -- we're all used to driving cars, which is VERY different. It takes practice, and if we can give a few people some helpful tips, it's better and safer for everyone on the water. Let's encourage people to come into our sport -- and do it safely. That's a win-win for everyone.

[@barrieschure2400]

🤗 ｐｒｏｍｏｓｍ

[@boatus]

Thanks, Barrie