Stupid question

[S/V Laura Ellen]

On a two lever throttle and shift control (sailboat) as shown below, which level is used for the shift control?
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/woeimages/Engine/9533.jpg

[Canoeyawl]

The longer one (with the detent to indicate neutral)

[S/V Laura Ellen]

Thanks, I'll have to find out why there isn't a neutral detent.

[StevenBauer]

Talisman has one like that but it's mounted on its side. So up is forward, down is reverse. There is a detent for neutral. The smaller one is throttle. Both operated by feet, usually. :)


Steven

[svriseandshine]

the detent is subtle. there is a spring loaded nylon ball on the non-moving bezel which fits into a depression in the moving base of the larger lever when the lever is in the vertical, neural, position.

[boylesboats]

I think it customary for long or tall lever for shifting, while shorter one would be for throttle..

[Kevin G]

Isn't blacktransmission and red throttle?

KG

[kc8pql]

Isn't black transmission and red throttle?

KG

Yep, that's standard, though on an old boat you never know if someone switched them. In this case, the longer lever is used for the transmission because some gear boxes take a bit of force to shift. The longer one gives you more leverage.

[C. Ross]

There should be a neutral detent, and of course a neutral safety switch.