Quote Originally Posted by bluegrasser View Post
Posted this in the boat forum, but I know there's a lot of folks on here that might be able to help too. Thanks!

"Hello all, not sure if this is the right forum. I recently bought a boat that has a remote-steering 40 hp Evinrude, think it's the "Big Twin" 1973 model.

Over the next few months I will be doing some serious cosmetic work to the old aluminum boat.

I need to disconnect the motor from the steering cable, controls, etc. to take the motor off the transom. I have never done this before as I've always had a little jon boat with a tiller outboard.

Any advice on how to do this?


Also, I will probably be selling the Evinrude. I have a buddy who might sell me a much newer model (mid-90s) Yamaha 40 hp to put on.

Question - will i need to replace the steering controls, throttle controls, etc? I assume I can't just swap out the motors since they are different brands and much different ages.

Thanks for any info."
A lotta if's here. First many of the older mid range outboards (35-50 hp) had a cable pulley steering system. These had a very flexable steel cable that wraped around the steering column, feed trough pullys at the transom and attached to the motor. This system would have a flexable rubber coated cable coming around both sides of the transom. These systems would only require an adapter for your motor.

Later steering systems have a push pull stiff cable that only uses one cable to your motor. You may be able to get an adapter for your new motor with this system as well.

If this old boat has the twin cable steering you may consider updating to the single cable steering. The old system was known to buckle and come unwrapped at the most inconvient times. Cabellas marine as well as bass pro marine have good selections on steering systems if you need to upgrade'

Your controls are probably simple plug ins at the motor for the ignition wiring. The shift trottle may be one or two cables that will have fitting to connect to the controls on the motor.

If you get the newer motor be sure to get the controlls for the motor as well as these can be rather expensive.