electronic control actuators on mechanical outboard controls

[fallguy]

I want to use F70 yamaha's on a cat I'm building. The Yammies don't have their branded electronic controls available on models up until the F150, which coincidentally weighs 200 pounds more per motor. (way too much)

Is there an aftermarket alternative that works where anyone has had success? I'd like my shifting and throttle controls to be electronic for ease of demounting the cat. I don't quite understand how the slaves work on these systems. Do the manual controls just get hooked to the slaves and then do certain companies make slaves that are compatible with certain brands, or are they sort of universal?

And are the slaves then exposed to ocean salts and associated corrosion, or can you put the slave somewhere out of the weather and still run a mechanical portion from say a protected box and grommet? Any experience out there?

Brand favorites?

Seastar i7700 ?

 

[Mr Efficiency]

What do you mean, "demounting the cat" ?

 

[fallguy]

Cat is demountable. Richard Wood's Skoota 32 design. First one is getting built by me, so engine controls and such are artist's palette.

 

[Mr Efficiency]

Is disconnecting mechanical cables from the engines such a chore ? Surely not that much of a problem.

 

[fallguy]

It isn't the disconnection, but the pathway required. From the helm, the cabling go through a conduit back to the aft beam, then make a sharp 90 to each hull, then at each hull another 90, not as sharp. The cables cannot be fastened inside the conduits and any fastening would need to be redone everytime the boat is remounted. I am definitely using electronic gear shift and throttles, despite their pricetag. I had considered electronic steering, but the costs are super high and the pcm must be wthin 3 feet of each power steering pump and that means I have to run power steering hoses from the aft beam locker and not from each hull, so what's the point.

Using a remote helm from inside the cabin would be pretty cool, though, especially in lousy weather as my helm is not enclosed for sure yet....

All I really want is any opinions about one system versus another. I'm the guy dealing with cables, no one else. Wires, please.

 

[fallguy]

Steering is for sure going to be hydraulic with quick disconnects.