www.iFourWinns.com

Hi All,

While performing a late-winter inspection on my Vista 238, I've discovered that the plywood frame of my starboard side cockpit padding was extremely rotten. I decided to remove it for replacement and in doing so had to to a little "slicing and dicing" to get it off, given that the throttle is mounted to it and too big to fit through the little hole.

My question is... I need to pull apart the throttle lever from the base and I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions on how to best go about this?

Thanks,
Scott

If it is the common OMC control, put it in full reverse. A hole on the now-forward-most edge of the control lever will expose a screw (Allen-head, I think) that will allow you to remove the lever. That will expose more screws that attach the control to the bolster.

_________________
Tom
Cape Coral

'99 Four Winns 258 Vista
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bowcam
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cape-coral-marine-radio VHF
http://67.207.143.181/vlf9.m3u VLF: Lightning, spherics

Thanks Tom. It's the original throttle that came with the boat. I'll have to have a close look because I thought I had removed all of the accessible screws, but I may have missed something. As far as you know, will there be any other tools required to 'pull' the lever off the the throttle assembly (which is hidden behind the padded panel)??

I'll probably give that a try this weekend, and take a couple pics to post.

No, you should be able to pull the lever with common hand tools once a hex wrench, (maybe 5/32"?) through that forward hole when in full reverse, has sufficiently loosened the lock screw. As I recall, you'll then see three Phillips screws that retain a thin cover over the Phillips bolts that penetrate the bolster.

_________________
Tom
Cape Coral

'99 Four Winns 258 Vista
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bowcam
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cape-coral-marine-radio VHF
http://67.207.143.181/vlf9.m3u VLF: Lightning, spherics

Both my boats ( 1999 and 2004) had a clip on cover and the lever held in place by a (hollow) bolt; that hole being for the plastic plunger to disengage the gear change function and allow the engine to be revved in neutral. Removing that cover, plunger and bolt, the lever pulled off the spline shaft ( but is still attached via the trim switch wires.).

Graham