Throttle Resistance
#1
Seeking information -
So I had my new (to me) Cigarette Top Gun out this past week. It has Lathem controls. When I throttled up (at any speed) if you were to let the throttles go they would slowly go back to their furthest back (resting) position. Now I had this same situation with the Gaffrig (no matter how tight you tightened down the set screw) in my Sonic and wound up replacing it with a Livorsi unit. With the Livorsi unit no matter where you throttled up on the handle it stayed in place. In other words even I you were to hit a wake the throttle stayed put it would not bounce back.
Now before anyone questions whether you should ever take your hand off the throttles --- YES I get it and I DON'T. With my Livorsi unit I merely rested on the throttle. Now with the Lathem's on my Cig you have to keep constant forward pressure (on the throttles) to apply throttle. Now I called Lathem and spoke with their Tech and he said there is a set screw that can be tightened to correct this situation if you have easy access to it. He further said racer's like it loose like that and in fact have little or no resistance on the throttles and I get that.
Now my Sonic was no where near as fast as my Cig (i.e single 500 EFI in my Sonic vs twin 575 SCI's in my Cig). So what I'm asking is --- for all of you with performance boats (i.e. with HP twins for example) and who pleasure boat (not race) what is the resistance on your throttles? Constant pressure needs to be applied? Moderate pressure? They stay where you put them?
Thanks,
Steve.
So I had my new (to me) Cigarette Top Gun out this past week. It has Lathem controls. When I throttled up (at any speed) if you were to let the throttles go they would slowly go back to their furthest back (resting) position. Now I had this same situation with the Gaffrig (no matter how tight you tightened down the set screw) in my Sonic and wound up replacing it with a Livorsi unit. With the Livorsi unit no matter where you throttled up on the handle it stayed in place. In other words even I you were to hit a wake the throttle stayed put it would not bounce back.
Now before anyone questions whether you should ever take your hand off the throttles --- YES I get it and I DON'T. With my Livorsi unit I merely rested on the throttle. Now with the Lathem's on my Cig you have to keep constant forward pressure (on the throttles) to apply throttle. Now I called Lathem and spoke with their Tech and he said there is a set screw that can be tightened to correct this situation if you have easy access to it. He further said racer's like it loose like that and in fact have little or no resistance on the throttles and I get that.
Now my Sonic was no where near as fast as my Cig (i.e single 500 EFI in my Sonic vs twin 575 SCI's in my Cig). So what I'm asking is --- for all of you with performance boats (i.e. with HP twins for example) and who pleasure boat (not race) what is the resistance on your throttles? Constant pressure needs to be applied? Moderate pressure? They stay where you put them?
Thanks,
Steve.
#2
Registered

Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,356
Likes: 1,515
From: NW Michigan
My experience with gafrig and KK at least my near new ones would stay. I do recall tightening the gafrigs with good results. Calm water was never an issue staying in position however rough water was a little different as it didn't matter anyway as my hand would always have a death grip on them. I can see where it might be bothersome on occasion butt for the most part not. Also what kind of shape are your rubber inserts in? Just wondering if replacing with new might be just enough to help some. I'm just thinking if it's possible to shim the throttle/shift linkage or something to stiffen up the action under the hatch. Just thinking out loud.
Last edited by getrdunn; 05-23-2017 at 09:16 AM.
#5
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,806
Likes: 891
Not sure if this is true or not but I was told those throttles are supposed to act as zero resistance throttles in the event of an incident the throttles return to the zero position. Not sure if there is any truth to it but that was the rumor I heard.
#6
Registered

Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,356
Likes: 1,515
From: NW Michigan
Very true. Kinda like the old fountain video where the guy hits a boat wake and completely loses control and people are flying around everywhere. Trying to grab a set of throttles from the back seat or port side floor isn't an easy task. BTW - that dude did not belong driving a boat. But good example... things can happen fast especially at high speeds.
#7
I feel that the kill switch is for if you are in trouble. The throttles should stay where you put them. What if you need to let go to adjust the tabs or whatever? I also have MM throttles that have no friction adjustment. I tightened them up manually by taking them out and tightening the bolt holding at the pivot. This didn't last long until, but the last time I added a touch of locktite, they have stayed tight since then.
#8
Latham's throttles have an allen head set screw that can be tightened to increase resistance.
I have Lathams and they pretty much stay in place if I take my hand off them. They will will slowly fall back if the water is choppy.
I have Lathams and they pretty much stay in place if I take my hand off them. They will will slowly fall back if the water is choppy.
Last edited by Griff; 05-23-2017 at 05:18 PM.
#9
I absolutely like my throttles to stay put. Sometimes I use my left hand, sometimes the right; to adjust tabs, stereo, gps, etc. etc. If I momentarily move my hand off the throttles; I want my throttles right where I left them.





