Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Have a Sylvan pontoon with a Mercury 50HP 2 stroke. It's always kind of been like this but may be getting worse. Neutral the handle is straight out, I have to raise it almost 45 degrees just to get started. Doesn't leave a lot of room for the variance in futures speeds. Not sure what my mph is at 90 degrees, will hook up speedometer and see (don't usually connect because something seems to drain battery). But when it is all the way up, it seems adequate, but rarely go that fast anyways, but the short handle range makes it difficult during the evening booze cruise. Wondering if there is a way to adjust, either under the handle, or back at the motor? Thanks

The adjustment is usually at the motor

There's an "app" you can download on your cell phone that gives you gps speed.

Welcome from a MN neighbor, Wolfman!

Not sure 'adjustment' will fix this. Does it seem to respond properly in reverse?

You might want to check your cable sheath (the outer jacket). This sheath is usually fixed tight in some way at either end. If your sheath has come loose somehow, you will end up with play in the action.
You should be able to check it at the front or rear end when the lever is moved. You'll have to remove the hood (and possibly the control box cover) to check this. If the sheath moves forward or backward at all, it has come loose. Minor movement in the long cable run or any loops is OK.

Hopefully we can get you fixed up because this doesn't sound all that safe.
Todd

I'm currently trying to figure out the exact same problem with my 48hp evinrude.

Generally the only adjustment that can be made at the control head is friction all other adjustments if so designed for will be at the motor end. Usually you will find that at the cable attachment point that there is a dead-band that allows for fore/aft movement to allow it to be connect to the throttle linkage without bind push or pull. The cable sheath will usually have means of adjustment too like a couple of nuts to tune the slack and full throttle point. If your "throttle" range is too narrow you can usually adjust the cable mount point to allow for a wider range of motion as long as you can still reach WOT

I'll have to look when I get home but it maybe a sheath issue

I know it doesn't sound or feel like I'm getting to wide open throttle any adjustments I've tried on the motor end seems to also make the idle alot higher.