Morse controls

[Guitarfish]

I purchased a 1971 Menemsha nine months ago. It had been altered at some point to side mount control for its 1985 Johnson 70-HP

The MENEMSHA has an existing cut out for top mount remote throttle and shift engine controls in the dash that had been covered with a small piece of plywood.

I purchased a Morse control to return the Menemsha to what I believe was the original configuration. I found the cutout to be too small to drop in the new Morse control, so it sits about 4-inches high above the surface as I test fit it.

I found another problem as I played around with the Morse controls. The handle arm seems too long; as I shift the control forward the handle bumps against the windshield.

I am committed to the Morse control, as I've removed the side mount controls.

For any readers with Morse experience:

Q1: Are the newer Morse control base dimensions larger than the Morse original controls?

Q2: Are there different length handles?

Q3: Does the handle clear [the interference from the windshield] once the control is in place?

I don't mind a bit of work to enlarge the opening but don't want to jump into it before checking my options. Measure twice, cut once is my desire

I see pictures of Morse controls in the same position as on my boat on many internet Menemsha photographs.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[jimh]

Q3: Does the handle clear [the interference from the windshield] once the control is in place?

Make a full-size template (side view) of the Morse control with the handle moved to the maximum forward rotation. Check fit with template on your boat helm.

[Guitarfish]

I found and downloaded the Morse MT3 installation and owners manual. The instructions state to allow for the 8" handle, and additionally, 2 extra inches for (hand?) clearance. If I cut the opening aft-ward another 1/2" the control may work but there will be very minimal clearance between the knob and windshield glass.

I'm really confused now. How are other Menemsha owners utilizing these controls? It is a mystery to me which controls were in the cutout in my boats' dash originally.

Definitely need to get some pro advice I guess.

[Malcolm Goodfellow]

Guitarfish, your boat was equiped with a Morse MT2, no longer made. The Morse MT3 is very similar looking but dimensionally quite different. The Morse MT3 is a redesign of the Morse MT2 but certainly not a drop in match. You will find quite a few Morse MT2' s on the selling sites in various condition, mostly average to poor.

I was faced with this exact same dillemma on my 1964 Eastport. A friend just happened to have a Morse MT2 NOS from 1973, still packaged. With time, you will find a nice one.

[Malcolm Goodfellow]

You will find more information on this [topic] in the old forum:

Morse MT2 vs MT3
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/011035.html

[ASIDE: Nota Bene: for assistance in learning how to use BBCode in phpBB please visit:

https://www.phpbb.com/community/help/bbcode

If you need assistance in using the forum, please post in the INTRODUCTION forum. Please do not use a boating forum for questions about how the forum software works.--jimh]

[Guitarfish]

Thank you for the replies MG. I down loaded and printed the instruction sheets for the MT2 and the MT3. Both illustrate the controller(s) having an 8"-inch-minimum operating arc of the shifter arm. The drawings from both seem to look similar. I know the MT3 does have a 1-inch notch center starboard side.

Now I'm wondering if [the MT2 or MT3] is supposed to be configured to pull back [on the handle] to accelerate.

As an aside; Jimh, I wrote and rewrote my original post in a game of 'avoid the jimh edit stroke'. Ha, you got me anyway. [I just enumerated your questions. I think that presentation makes the questions clearer and easier for readers to find, and it tends to focus the ensuing discussion on the real topic--jimh]

[Guitarfish]

I talked to tech support at Teleflex/Morse this morning. The base footprint is slightly different between the MT2 and MT3. However the owner's manual illustrations actually show the MT2 having a 1/4-inch-larger radius.

The tech suggested a KING STARboard wedge block to tilt everything toward the rear.
I will check it out.

[jimh]

...I'm wondering if [the MT2 or MT3] is supposed to be configured to pull back [on the handle] to accelerate.

I have never heard of any throttle arrangement in which you pull the remote control throttle lever toward you to a cause the throttle of the engine to increase engine speed. Your inference that Morse intended that is not a reasonable conclusion. You should call Morse again and ask them about that. I am sure they will tell you that never intended the throttle to rigged that way.

Usually on a universal remote control such as the Morse, the action of the throttle lever on the mechanical cable can be set up in either direction, depending on the brand of engine being controlled. Some engines have the throttle increase-speed direction of motion of the remote cable connection working opposite from other engine brands. But the convention that the the handle is moved forward to increase speed is universal in rigging boats.

[Guitarfish]

You are absolutely right. I should have mentioned that came up in the discussion with the rep.

[Guitarfish]

After an exhaustive internet search for pictures of Morse controls mounted on Menemsha's , executed by my wife, I just went ahead and cut my dash. Several pics showed the Morse controls mounted in the same position. That gave me the confidence to proceed. The clearance at the full throttle position is a bit tight but it will be fine.

Now to determine which cables I can use. Thanks for everyone's input.