Holding The Throttle

Andy Moore · 28 May 2006, 15:02

Do you guys hold one hand on the throttle the entire time you are underweigh?

rugrat · 28 May 2006, 15:12

yes, especially when manouvering at high speed.
it means i can react to any situation quickly because i can co-ordinate
throttle and steering.
its good practice and the rya strongly recomend it

hannah · 28 May 2006, 16:07

same again yer... i also find i can never sit down and drive, always have to be stood up

wavelength · 28 May 2006, 16:09

rya teaching point and when its rough if you have let go of it it can be the devils own job to actually grab the throttle lever again at speed when you really need it, and even more difficult to grab it without slamming it forwards. However holding onto the lever itself when its rough can cause a problem when the shock of a wave throws your hand forward and gives the engine full power, just when you really dont want it. Seen it happen and the ensuing vertical leap off the face of the wave was "impressive" but not the sort of thing they actually wanted to do in the prevailing conditions. If its really rough I balance the heel of my hand on the control box whilst holding onto the lever partway down at the same time in order to prevent me being thrown forward and opening it up.

Gray · 28 May 2006, 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavelength

However holding onto the lever itself when its rough can cause a problem when the shock of a wave throws your hand forward and gives the engine full power, just when you really dont want it.

Get stiff levers like on Benc's Rib. Once you get used to them being stiff its quite nice to use!

If you have twin levers i guess its not possible to rest the ball of your hand on the casing in the same manner.

rugrat · 28 May 2006, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gray

Get stiff levers like on Benc's Rib. Once you get used to them being stiff its quite nice to use!

why not just adjust the throttle friction??

Richard B · 28 May 2006, 16:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Moore

Do you guys hold one hand on the throttle the entire time you are underweigh?

Yes - when at speed. Have a look here...
http://www.richardbateson.com/videos...005-1_0112.wmv Once you've downloaded all 180mb, observe my mate Pete using exemplary best practise, from about 7m 55s onwards.

Ezgoing · 28 May 2006, 16:55

The last time I was underweigh I really enjoyed it. I only realised her name was weigh when she started shouting "weigh to go, weigh to go."

Andy Moore · 28 May 2006, 16:57

Thanks for the responses.

I find that when I get the boat trimmed nicely and the throttle set to an appropriate speed, continually holding the top of the throttle lever results in me gradually, or all at one go, reducing the revs. So, then I throttle up again and the same thing often happens, sooner or later.

I hav tried kind of 'hovering' my hand above the throttle; that is to say, a very loose grip. This technique works but is a bit stupid.

Richard B · 28 May 2006, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Moore

continually holding the top of the throttle lever results in me gradually, or all at one go, reducing the revs. So, then I throttle up again and the same thing often happens, sooner or later.

Don't hold it at the top!

Ezgoing · 28 May 2006, 17:04

Andy,

If you hands are not on the throtle does it still drop back on the Revs?

BogMonster · 28 May 2006, 17:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavelength

However holding onto the lever itself when its rough can cause a problem when the shock of a wave throws your hand forward and gives the engine full power, just when you really dont want it. Seen it happen and the ensuing vertical leap off the face of the wave was "impressive" but not the sort of thing they actually wanted to do in the prevailing conditions.

You weren't watching the original owner of my boat were you Dave?

He told me about how he did that once when showing off a bit to a crowd during the Mid Winter Swim at Surf Bay, the boat sort of took off up in the air at a ridiculous angle and disappeared over the back of the wave, everybody went "oooooooh" and were all dead impressed, only about 2 of the people watching realised it was a complete cock up

rugrat · 28 May 2006, 17:24

try doing as dave suggested, hold the throttle at the bottom whilst resting your hand on the control box.this way you have something solid to compare the throttle position to,so you'll know if you are pulling back on the stick.

ADS · 28 May 2006, 19:13

Rather crap photo but you get the idea if you see how im holding the throttle

hannah · 28 May 2006, 21:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ezgoing

Andy,

If you hands are not on the throtle does it still drop back on the Revs?

ours tends to drop back if no support is given

Andy Moore · 29 May 2006, 10:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ezgoing

Andy, If you hands are not on the throtle does it still drop back on the Revs?

No.

BogMonster · 29 May 2006, 12:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ezgoing

If you hands are not on the throtle does it still drop back on the Revs?

Mine is fine except at speed in rough conditions then you find a slow decrease in revs as the continuous pounding seems to ease the throttle back slowly.

jyasaki · 30 May 2006, 22:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by rugrat

try doing as dave suggested, hold the throttle at the bottom whilst resting your hand on the control box.this way you have something solid to compare the throttle position to,so you'll know if you are pulling back on the stick.

This is how I control the throttle. Pretty much thumb to increase, index or index and middle finger to decrease.

My setup is a top mount Yamaha control.

jky

edited to correct really weird spacing (read: "typo")