Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Do any of y'all have a problem with the throttle not "sticking" into position, where you have to keep your hand on it at all times? The only two positions that my throttle will hold is in gear at idle and at WOT. But for cruising, if I don't hold it down, it abruptly comes back to idle. When I last took the 'toon in for service I mentioned this and was told that it's supposed to be like that. He said that most newer boats were like this as a "safety feature." But, I've never driven any other boat where you couldn't set the throttle and it hold it's position on calm water. Any fix for this?

There is a tension adjustment on most throttles, look for a small cover on the underside of the base. Pop it off with a small screwdriver, and you should see an adjustment screw.

cvslawrence wrote:There is a tension adjustment on most throttles, look for a small cover on the underside of the base. Pop it off with a small screwdriver, and you should see an adjustment screw.

Or depending on brand you may need to remove a cover to get to the insides of the throttle where you will find some sort of a tension screw....

TSip85 the service tech who told you this is full of poop.... Ask him why then does it not do the same at WOT which is the most dangerous position...

Here is previous topic on this subject regarding a Mercury controller not staying put. Not sure what your set up is but it might give some insight into what to look for.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9868&p=138568&hilit=tension#p138568

My new southbay with a merc on it did the same thing. Talked to boat shop he said its a safty thing and all I had to do is add something to it and it would hold. Since the boat was new when I took it back to dealer and told them about it they fixed it. Not sure what they did but now it stay where i put it.

On my Yamaha the screw is on the rear of the box (closest to reverse). Pop the little oval cover off and tighten with a flat-head screwdriver. I read online to go a lot tighter than what you would think it needs to be or it will vibrate back like its doing now. I tightened mine up and haven't had a problem since.

Thanks for all the input. I really appreciate it. I've got a Berkshire 'toon that's only a year old w/ a Yamaha on it. I knew the service tech was full of BS just considering the fact that I've never seen a throttle not hold it's position. And I've had the opportunity to drive plenty of boats. Next time I'm out, I'll take a look. In the meantime, I'd love to hear from any other owners of a Berkshire or Xcursion and know if y'all are having the same issue. I'm curious to know if the tension was intentionally left loose, or if my boat was just some sort of "exception."

my excursion does the same,will look later today for a access plug and let you know.kinda pain in the ass holding the throttle full time.lol

Seriously, a safety feature? Two hands on the wheel is a safety feature. That little kill switch with the curly cable that is SUPPOSED to be clipped to the operators person is a safety feature. Someone telling you a throttle that is not adjusted right is not a safety feature it is

Mine was like that when I first got it. When I took it in for it's first break-in service, I told the shop about it and they tightened it up for me.

I've driven just about every kind of boat imaginable and none of them had decreasing throttles, especially as a "safety feature".

I have a Berkshire and mine does the same thing....

on the excursion go under the storage compartment,there is a 11/64 nut on the housing.just tighten it as you go till you get the desired stiffness.

dare i admit....

i use the unsafety.... my lil bungee cord for 'cruise control'...

but, I'm always at helm when using it, and always in wide open, clear water... any boat traffic around, or close in... i remove it.

A lot of the older control units had great big knobs or even dials for 'throttle friction'. I suppose they figured that it was too easy to change the setting for kids or to bump it. Most of the new ones just have screws now (either internal or external)