trim control or jack height control which is more important to you?

[Umassot50]

im going to be setting up a boat with a jack plate over the winter for use next boating season. I have never had a boat with a jack plate. boat currently has tilt and trim. its an OMC and i have the thumb button control switch on the white omc control box for my trim and tilt. I am going to use the same relays and harnesses when i setup the jack plate so i will have two parrallel identical OMC relay control systems. one for jack plate and the other for tilt and trim. I could easily make the thumb button control work the jack plate instead of the tilt as it is now. was thinking just add an omc remote tilt switch kit near the control box for jack or tilt which ever i decide. so which is more important to you? which control (jack or tilt) would you rather have more convenient at the ready? I have hydro steer so no on wheel flexi cord control switches and no wireless switches$$ boat isnt fast enough to require both hands death gripped to the wheel and hydro has no torque steer no pull can drive with no hands so i can handle takin a hand off the wheel or stick to work either control switches.

[flabum1017]

I'd get a teleflex dual trim switch like this... use one side for trim and the other for jack. your'e gonna need a hot foot soon for safety and both hands on the wheel......

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_7396_225011002_225000000_225011000?channel=froogle&mr:trackingCode=5EB698AF-03A7-DF11-904F-002219319097&mr:referralID=NA

[Tomanytoys]

Consider a double sided ProTrim set up. That way you can do both lift and trim on the column. If you've got Sea Star it mounts up perfectly. You may also want to consider a foot throttle, you say your not going fast now but if you're hanging out here you will be.:D

[Umassot50]

interesting. I may have to get this. they operate like directionals on a car huh? i kind of wish they operated like paddle shifters on a sports car. I may have to make some paddle shifter looking mechanism to operate the switches relocated i think.

[rutro]

What is your main use for this boat? Is it a weekend fisherman, or a runabout type for play....? My centerconsole flats type boat has a Teleflex top mount control with two buttons on the control handle, one for trim under my thumb, one for jackplate on the opposite side. I use the trim more than anything else most of the time. The jack plate down for hole shot, up when on pad and thats it the rest is trim...

Even with no feed back steering please keep hands on that wheel. If the right conditions happen at the right time you'll go for a ride you will have nightmares about....

[Umassot50]

its a play boat. i was thinking of getting a hot foot throttle too. does the hot foot connect easily to the white single stick standard OMC control box?

[Vinnie]

You will have to replace the throttle cable with a longer one. You will only use the control box for shifting.

[Umassot50]

You will have to replace the throttle cable with a longer one. You will only use the control box for shifting.

ok that makes sense. no more high idle start lever either then i guess?

[engineermike]

Trim is definitely used more. I find that the jackplate height doesn't make much difference until you're over 60 mph, whereas the trim makes a big difference even at 30 mph. I actually just installed the dual-stalk-switches and foot-throttle.

[tj309]

Trim is what you want easy access to. I have a trim switch on the throttle and also one on the right side of the steering wheel as a "turn signal" mount for high speed use. When you go fast you definitly want 2 hands on the wheel. On the left side of the wheel is my jack "turn signal". A foot throttle also is a must have for high speed use - again allowing 2 hands on the wheel. I am not sure about foot throttles for OMC applications as an OMC throttle cable is pushed from the helm to advance the throttle whereas a Merc throttle cable is pulled to go faster. Check that out before you buy any foot throttle - I know my Hot Foot and In Control foot throttles would not work with an OMC.

[tj309]

Trim is what you want easy access to. I have a trim switch on the throttle and also one on the right side of the steering wheel as a "turn signal" mount for high speed use. When you go fast you definitly want 2 hands on the wheel. On the left side of the wheel is my jack "turn signal". A foot throttle also is a must have for high speed use - again allowing 2 hands on the wheel. I am not sure about foot throttles for OMC applications as an OMC throttle cable is pushed from the helm to advance the throttle whereas a Merc throttle cable is pulled to go faster. Check that out before you buy any foot throttle - I know my Hot Foot and In Control foot throttles would not work with an OMC.

(hit the wrong key...)