Boat Dealer Problems--What do you suggest?

[rebelrn2001]

I bought a '03 Honda 75 HP Tiller from American Marine in Shawano, WI about 2 months ago. Each time I contact them I get the impression I am bothering them with my problem. The tiller throttle handle stays at what ever place I twist it to. It should retract back to idle when I let go. There is even a throttle tension knob to adjust the tension. They tell me that works fine but that the problem is internal. Twice now they have not fixed it. What to do next? Any suggestions would be helpful. All I want is for it to be fixed. I don't plan on letting then touch the ##### thing after that. Would Honda help me? I know other dealers don't want to get involved and I don't blame them.

[Return?]

Gee, I never saw a twist throttle on a tiller handle that was SUPPOSED to return to idle when you let go of it.
Some vibrate back and drop rpms, which is a pain in the a$$, and definitely an unwanted trait, thus the throttle tensioner.
Are you sure there is something wrong with your engine?
It sounds more like it is working correctly, but you are used to one that does not work correctly?
Sorry, but I am unaware of any tiller twist throttles that work as you want yours too, unless they are old and worn.

[perchjerker]

If its a warranty issue any Honda dealer is obligated to fix it.

It has nothing to do with a dealer not wanting to get "involved".

[Mike W1]

The somewhat limited number of OB's I've run, the throttle stays in place unless you purposely twist it. Can't imagine yours would be any different or why you'd want it to be!

[rebelrn]

So you think the throttle tension knob is to keep it from returning to idle and that the throttle is supposed to stay where put? I thought it should have ret'd to idle automatically as kind of a safety issue in case of being thrown overboard(I know there is the lanyard but.....you know--who uses that. My Merc before this would idle right down when let go....but you think that was wrong? and that the vibration was doing it?

If I'm wrong I want to know. What do the rest think?

[NC]

My Merc stays put when I let go and hopefully the new one will too. I'll find out in 3 weeks. Call Honda and ask them. I guess I don't know the correct answer, but I have to believe it should stay where you leave it and not return.
Just my thoughts though.
Good luck and let us know what you think.
NC

[P.V.]

It's fair to believe that generally, throttle "tension" is too light, ie.. it always "seems" to vibrate back down and not stay at the desired setting. So, the engine guys designed a tensioner to keep it at a desired setting. Most engine seem to "creep" down, hense, the need to keep it at a particular setting. It is not a "safety feature", to HAVE it return back to idle when you release your hand from the handle. Then everyone would bi*#h about HAVING to keep their hand ON the throtle!! BTW,if you have a fairly small/fat boat, you SHOULD use the lanyard!!!! AND wear a PFD!!

[rebelrn]

I guess my Merc was wrong before. I probably am wrong now. Oh well, live and learn. The thing is, if you let go of the throttle handle, with a tiller, the motor drifts so that is not safe either. By the way, I ALWAYS use a PFD and my boat is a 1775 Pro-V. Thanks to all.

[REW]

I have run lots of tillers, and if the throttle crept back - I always tightened it up, so that it wouldn't creep back.

So many times, you want the engine to remain at a given speed, and you need to take your hand off to do something. Of course, this is primarily at trolling speed.

However, I would be glad that they couldn't fix something that - I don't believe is broken.

Riding a motorcycle is a different story. If you take your hand off the throttle, it is a very good thing that the throttle closes, and you slow down.

I don't believe the same thing is true for a fishing motor.

Take care
REW

[UP Michigan]

I purchased a new boat from the same marina last year and was very unhappy with the service. I had some minor problems with my motor but they seemed not concerned and very "bothered" by my problems. After 4 trips back and alot of B@#%$ING they finally ffixed it. It seems as though once they sold me the boat they didn't care. Plus, they were over a month late on the delivery date. I wish yoou the best of luck.

[rebelrn2001]

I got a call from the mgr at American Marine late on Sat. He left a message indicating he would do all they could to rectify the problem. I am going to call him Monday and appologize for my ignorance. I want to thank the WC people for letting me know I really don't have a problem. I will say that the svc mgr did give me a hastle when I told him I wanted to switch to a 15 pitch as the 17 wasn't giving me enough rpm's--he told me 'so you want to buy a 15p?...thats now a used prop (I told him to talk to the mgr and then he switched it for me). Other than that, they have been ok...you just have to stand up to them. Now that I know I like the 15p better, I want to trade the spare (never used) 17p for another 15.

[Return]

No way would that be safe. It could kill you or a passenger if it slapped back to idle if you let go.

Besides-
Try running 15-30 miles down the lake or river having to hold the throttle on all the way. It is no fun and causes neck problems.

I am not guessing that the throttle tensioner is designed to allow the operator to adjust how hard or easily he must twist the grip to change speeds. It is a FACT!