I have now to choose and decide what to use as engines control on the new trawler we are building. This is a twin Perkins M92 engine boat, aluminium hull. The activity is going to be from normal to intensive and the boat should sail a lot in cold climate. Only one control per engine, inside. >From your experience, what is the most simple to run and what is the most reliable on a 10 year period? Is it a classic Morse two fonctions with cables? Are electric or hydraulic controls better? More confortable/esier to take care? I understand that each of these solutions are an answer to a precise problem, but I have trouble to get my arms around! Thank you.

Morse cable controls are simple, low cost, reliable, and easy to maintain. Their weak point is in two-steering-station installations, where the friction of all the extra cables and controls may add up to become excessive. As you are planning a single-steering-station installation, Morse cables would be my first choice. After 6 years and 4400 hours on my new Morse control system, There was one failure (the first month), when the threaded rod came out of the throttle control at the injection pump. After re-securing its nut with Loc-tite, there have been no other failures. Maintenance consists of a quick shot of light oil at the top of the cables every year or two. Mark Richter, M.E. Mark's Mobile Marine m/v Winnie the Pooh presently in Havre de Grace, MD