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My knowledge of the current speed came from asking the harbormaster that question, she said "outside the no-wake buoys, three to five". I presume she meant knots. Inside the no wake buoys I'd guess a lot less, the water is shallower and there are several marinas on that side of that channel upstream.

The ramp is the most downstream feature. I have to go out the ramp to about a third into the channel width to get around the restaurant, then pass one row of 40ft slips to the next row which is mine, half-way in, downstream facing. I'll have a friend posted at the restaurant (which can be tied up to) and at my slip.

As I, hopefully, get to test the motor on the sellers boat tomorrow night I'll know it's operational, so my plan is to have my one crewman (who took the ASA course with me) to man the engine while I stand in front of the pedestal to steer. No need for neutral, can probably idle it in forward against the current to hold it gently to the dock and throw a spring line to my lovely dock assistant.

Beginners luck, I hope.

Good luck on that 10 horse. It seems perfect, granting that tiller control will always be a hassle. I hope you find that it idles without stalling, and that it's quick on the re-starts.

Good idea to just leave the helm seat raised and have a helper to twist the grip.

Have a good anchor on a long chain and rode ready to go on the bow...if you get into trouble, quickly lower it to stop your progress...

After a proper inspection and commiment to the 10 horse tiller, take a trip to Lowes or Home Depot and get the proper diameter of PVC pipe. Use it as a tiller extension. Between a tight seal and possibly a little duct tape you should be able to twist with the extension as a throttle control.

You may also be able to steer some with it, or work with your copilot while you operate your Mac wheel. Steady as she goes...

Well the logging has been delayed. I think my landlord doesn't want to do it, but I look on the bright side, the view of four peaks, Rainier, Helens, Adams, and Hood, would be worth it. It wil probably happen eventually but happily after May 1.

So I have a week reprieve as May 1 was my idea date anyway, that works great. I got the honda, it was on his boat and we ran it right in the water, started second pull cold, lots of power, clean inside and out, no sheen, clean oil, water pumped good and it idled well after it warmed up. He even helped me put it in the truck.

I have mounted the motor a few inches off center on the starboard side of the engine well for three reasons, when centered, the tiller shaft hits the upper engine well port side, the lock bar I bought needs a few inches of clearance on once side or the other to slide over the motor clamp handles, and when the motor is up and disconnected it will naturally flop to port and thus center its weight. But all of that is pure speculation and I'd be interested in hearing if anyone thinks it wrong or the off center mounting will drastically effect handling. I'm not picturing this motor pushing me much past hull speed so I figure with a little mental compensation it'll work just fine.

Gazmn, PVC pipe suggestion is perfect. The honda shifter is a nice big lever on the front of the engine, which is great and i might extend that somehow too or run an extension up to just behind and to the right of the seat.

See you May 1!

Watch out for your rudders...

With the tiller on the motor being independent from your wheel steering (rudders) you could accidentially set them up opposing each other. Or worse, contacting each other...

As long as at it's full turn the rudders cannot hit the prop it shouldn't matter where you place the motor. My kicker on the extreme starboard out side of the rudders works just fine.

I would lock the motor in straight forward and do all the steering with the rudders. For that matter you only need one rudder down. Leave the starboard one up if it is too close to the motor during operation. I usually only drop one rudder to add slow speed control around docks. It works just as well as both rudders down. Even under sail there are times you only want one rudder down for reduced drag in light air and going down wind.

That's the beauty of the Mac, you have three steerable things to choose from out back and any one will give you control of the boat.