Brief Summary
The all-Digital Tiller from Evinrude is an accessory that works with the Evinrude E-TEC G2 115 H.O. outboard, built on the new 1.9-liter, 3-cylinder powerhead. With the benefit of digital controls, this tiller allows the outboard to be tuned to the helmsman’s preference for optimal performance and operational comfort.
Key Features
- Large shift lever engages digital shift
- Digital throttle with twist grip and adjustable resistance
- Multifunction LED indicator light
- Robust construction
- NMEA 2000 connectivity
- iTrim automatic trim adjust
Specifications
| Type of Engine | |
|---|---|
| Number of Cylinders | |
| Horse Power | 400 |
| Configuration | |
| Weight | |
| Fuel Type | N/A |
| Fuel Delivery | |
| Shaft Length Options | |
| Shift Throttle Control | |
| Displacement | |
| Steering Control | |
| Recommended Fuel | |
| Alternator Output | |
| CARB Rating | |
| Engine Monitoring System |
Captain's Report
Contents of Report
- Mission
- Tiller Mounting
- Running the Outboard with the Tiller
- Control Adjustments
- Touch Troll
- iTrim Automated Trim Adjustment – It’s Standard
- Status System
- Engine Operation Warnings
- Oil Level Indicator
- Self-Winterizing Mode
- More Data Display Options
- Evinrude E-Link
- Emissions
- Observations
Mission
The Evinrude Digital Tiller is an accessory add-on for the latest E-TEC G2 1.9-liter 3-cylinder 115 H.O. outboard. It takes the fundamental functions of the outboard and makes them readily accessible to the helmsman, while also letting boaters benefit from the outboard’s torque, acceleration, and efficient, clean, and quiet operation.
Boaters and fishermen who like the simplicity of a tiller-steered outboard will appreciate this unit’s straightforward design, which capitalizes on the digital systems to provide performance and precise control.
Tiller Mounting
This new tiller mounts to the outboard steering arm in the midst of what Evinrude calls its “Dual Axis Rigging.” This is a clean rigging system, which means that all of the connections with the boat, including the fuel line and electronic cabling to the outboard’s Engine Management Module (EMM) Monitor, are contained in one single tube and enter the outboard at the rigging access point, which remains stationary through the outboard’s movements through the entire turning radius and trim and tilt radius.
This makes for a clean setup with the tiller, which is better for anyone who wants to keep the stern of the boat clean and tidy, particularly fishermen, who look to reduce tangles when trolling.
The digital tiller mounts to the same point on the outboard that would be connected to the steering rod for an external steering system, such as a SeaStar steering system, or an anti-feedback cable system.
Evinrude added in some features to allow the tiller’s position to be customized to the user’s preference. First the tiller can be mounted at an angle of plus or minus 20-degrees off of straight fore and aft. Since the seating position of the helmsman may be different from boat to boat, this is a key element to comfort for long hours of use.
The digital tiller can also be adjusted for tension on the hinge at its base, so a helmsman who prefers to stand up to drive, whether in close-quarters maneuvering or to improve the view while remaining in control, the tiller can be set to hold that position as desired.
Running the Outboard with the Tiller
All controls for the outboard are digital, meaning there are no physical cables running from the shift lever to the engine transmission, nor is the twist throttle advance on the grip pulling a cable—it’s all fly-by-wire.
There’s a key ignition switch to turn the outboard on, located near the base hinge. The start button is located near the throttle grip.
The outboard gears are shifted by a robust lever located atop the tiller, connected on the starboard side and the grip on the tiller allows the user to advance the throttle with a twist.
Trim and Tilt. A rocker on the tip of the tiller grip allows the trim and tilt to be controlled by the operator without letting go. The E-TEC G2 115 H.O. trim extends from a tucked-in minus 6-degrees to a positive 15-degrees when trimmed out.
Control Adjustments
Since there are no physical cables from the shift lever or throttle, the tension and resistance to both of those controls can be set to user preference, there’s no limiting factor.
Touch Troll
There’s another rocker switch, located atop the start-button housing, that allows control of the touch troll function, which advances or reduces the throttle in 50-rpm increments.
The Touch Troll control has a safety feature built in: It will only increase or decrease the throttle setting by three jumps. To do more than that, the user must move the throttle advance itself, which resets the touch troll, allowing for three more rpm jumps.
iTrim Automated Trim Adjustment – It’s Standard
Evinrude can also use the iTrim automated trim system, available on all E-TEC G2 outboards. The system is based in the EMM, which reads rpm and throttle inputs and tunes the engine position for optimal performance.
Evinrude iTrim constantly repositions the outboard to place the propeller at the optimal angle, it reduces the resistance throughout the steering arc, while improving performance. Because it works at all engine speeds, from WOT down to idle, it reduces the steering resistance while trolling.
Status System
This digital tiller has a status-display feature, which uses a single LED display capable of showing three different colors as well as being on or flashing, to show seven different conditions.
Flashing green indicates the engine won’t start because the throttle or shift are set outside of the safe operating range, or the safety lanyard is not affixed correctly.
Engine Operation Warnings
Steady red indicator means the engine is above safe operating temperature.
Flashing red means the outboard may require the more service attention of a “check engine” light.
Oil Level Indicator
A solid blue indicator means the engine oil level is running low and is time to refill before the next trip out. It should be noted that low oil on a two-stroke is similar to a low fuel level—the synthetic oil is burned in the combustion process, so it doesn’t indicate a leak or engine problem.
When the indicator flashes blue, that means the engine is out of oil – but remember it has a 5-hour low-speed get-home feature.
Self-Winterizing Mode
When the indicator alternatively flashes blue and green, then the outboard is in winterize mode. Evinrude outboards are the only ones on the market that can self-winterize, saving hundreds of dollars each year, and, even better, eliminating the hassle of a trip to the dealer.
More Data Display Options
If boaters have the space and inclination, Evinrude makes available their Nautilus 3.5 digital display to show engine data and activate functions. They’re round and so are designed to fit in a dashboard hole where a traditional gauge would go, and can be located anywhere convenient to the operator.
Soft keys along the bottom of the Nautilus display let it show engine rpm, speed, and water temperature. Fuel and oil levels, as well as miles per gallon, and many other data points.
Evinrude E-Link
And boaters who prefer even more digital can display engine data on an Apple iOS or Android device, such as a smartphone or tablet with the addition of Evinrude E-Link. This device plugs into the outboard’s built-in NMEA 2000 network and shares the data over a Wi-Fi system to provide real-time data to a device anywhere on the boat.
Emissions
Perhaps the most important aspect of all using this tiller has to do with the engine it operates. When sitting close the transom with a tiller at trolling speeds, a stern-wind can blow exhaust in the face of the operator. Not only does the Evinrude E-TEC G2 115 H.O. have the lowest combined emissions of any outboard in its class, it also has the lowest CO emissions – below a lethal level. All other outboards produce higher CO emissions, which can more readily cause headaches, nausea, or worse.
Observations
This digital tiller accessory shows that Evinrude is ready and willing to compete in the midrange outboard market, and will use engineering and technology to continue to spread the gospel of its direct-in-the-cylinder injection system, while at the same time offering excellent torque and clean efficient operation throughout the rpm range.
But it’s accessories, like this all-digital tiller, the only one on the market, where the company sets itself apart by applying smart ideas to a seemingly simple concept to make it feature-rich. That insight and creativity shows a company that has invested in this segment.