Can I convert my Mercury outboard from tiller to remote steering later?

Yes, you can convert most Mercury outboards from tiller to remote steering if the motor supports both configurations. A remote conversion requires a steering kit, helm controls, and installation labour, typically $500-$1,500+ in parts and labour. It costs less to spec it correctly upfront than to retrofit later. If you're considering a conversion, ask Harris Boat Works to quote it before you decide, it may be easier to order the remote-configured motor directly. Call 905-342-2153.

Is tiller steering harder to learn than remote steering?

Tiller is not harder to learn, it's different. The main adjustment is that tiller steering is reverse-intuitive: pushing the handle right turns the bow left. Most new tiller operators get comfortable within one or two outings. After that, many prefer it for the directness and feedback. The only situation where tiller gets challenging is at high speeds with powerful motors, which is exactly when remote steering makes more sense anyway.

What's the biggest Mercury motor available in tiller configuration?

Mercury offers tiller steering from small portable motors through select 40-115 HP FourStroke and SeaPro models with the Advanced Tiller system. Above that range, remote steering is the normal setup. The right choice depends less on the maximum HP and more on the hull, driver position, workload, and how the boat is used. On a typical 16-18 ft planing aluminum V-hull, HBW starts with the standard gearcase; Command Thrust is for pontoons, workboats, and special displacement or load cases.

Can I have both tiller and remote steering on the same outboard motor?

No, a single outboard motor is configured for one control type, either tiller or remote, not both simultaneously. On some specialized fishing boat setups, dual-control rigging exists (side mount tiller extension plus a remote), but this is not a standard configuration. If your use case requires steering from multiple positions, a second motor (such as a ProKicker trolling motor) or purpose-built dual-control rigging is the practical answer.

What is the cost difference between tiller and remote steering on a Mercury outboard?

A tiller-configured Mercury outboard is typically less expensive than the remote-steering version of the same HP motor. However, a remote setup requires additional components, steering system, helm controls, throttle/shift box, adding cost. For a complete rigging comparison on a 60HP motor, a tiller setup is often $800-$1,500 less expensive total than a fully rigged remote setup with hydraulic steering. Build a quote at mercuryrepower.ca/quote/motor-selection and call 905-342-2153 for full rigging cost.

Is tiller or remote steering better for fishing on Rice Lake?

For fishing on Rice Lake specifically, tiller is the choice of most serious anglers. Rice Lake is shallow and weedy, precise boat positioning matters. Tiller lets you stand at the transom, keep your eyes on the sonar and water ahead, and make immediate course corrections without looking at the helm. Remote steering makes more sense on Rice Lake for family trips, longer runs, or if your boat is 18ft or larger and needs a console for passenger seating.

Does Mercury offer electronic or digital tiller steering?

Mercury does not currently offer fully electronic or steer-by-wire tiller systems, the tiller remains a direct mechanical connection to the motor. However, Mercury's tiller-equipped motors do integrate with the SmartCraft digital ecosystem via Bluetooth: SmartCraft Connect Mobile (formerly VesselView Mobile) shows engine data, maintenance schedules, and trip information on a smartphone. The result is mechanical simplicity at the control point with digital monitoring on your phone.

Is hydraulic steering worth it on a Mercury outboard, and what does it cost?

There is no single horsepower cutoff that makes every cable or hydraulic system suitable. Check the steering manufacturer's application limits for the exact boat, engine and components. Hydraulic steering can improve steering effort and feel where an approved package is available. The cost adds roughly $800-$1,500 CAD to rigging cost depending on the system and installation. Harris Boat Works specs the right steering for your motor and hull during the rigging process.

Which Mercury tiller motor is best for a 16-foot aluminum boat on a Kawartha lake?

For a 16-foot aluminum boat on Rice Lake or the Kawarthas, the Mercury 60HP EFI FourStroke in tiller (standard gearcase) is the most popular choice. It has plenty of power for two or three people plus gear, handles the variable conditions on Kawartha lakes well, and gives you reliable EFI cold-starts every morning. HBW usually specs the standard gearcase on this planing aluminum V-hull; Command Thrust is a hull, load, and propeller choice more often used on pontoons, workboats, and unusually heavy setups. If you want more low-speed control for trolling, add a 9.9 HP ProKicker.

Tiller vs Remote Steering Outboard: Which to Choose (2026)

--- > Quick answer: Tiller is right when you sit at the transom: open tins, kicker motors, and solo fishing. Remote is right when the operator is at a helm: console boats, family use, and long runs with passengers. Length and horsepower overlap, so use helm layout and how you...

Comparison of tiller-steer outboard on an aluminum boat versus remote steering at a console on a bass boat.

Last reviewed: 2026-09-11

Mercury Premier Dealer·Gores Landing, ON·Quote builder available

Quick answer: Tiller is right when you sit at the transom: open tins, kicker motors, and solo fishing. Remote is right when the operator is at a helm: console boats, family use, and long runs with passengers. Length and horsepower overlap, so use helm layout and how you actually run the boat. Configure either at mercuryrepower.ca.

Mercury control type decision

Tiller-steer or remote-helm Mercury?

More than just where the stick goes. The tiller-vs-remote decision changes how you fish, how you drive, and how you trailer. Here's how to pick.

Tiller-steer

You fish solo or 1-2 people and want to spot-cast from the back of the boat
You run a 14-18 ft aluminum tin boat (Lund WC, Princecraft Holiday, Legend Tin)
You like having open deck space in the front of the boat
You don't need bilge gauges, fancy electronics, or a wheel
20 to 60 HP sweet spot; Advanced Tiller available up to 115 HP

Cheapest, lightest, fewer parts to break. Perfect for back-trolling and casting. Mercury 20-60 HP tiller. Motor price is only the starting point; controls, rigging, and labour are quoted separately.

Remote helm

You run with passengers, family, or kids who need a windshield to hide behind
You're 16-22+ ft and want gauges, electronics, livewell controls at your fingertips
You go further from the launch and value sitting forward at speed
You want power steering, hydraulic trim, SmartCraft displays
60 HP and up, especially 90 HP+

More comfortable, more capable, more expensive. Mercury 90 HP remote with mechanical controls. Motor price is only the starting point; controls, rigging, and labour are quoted separately, and a full SmartCraft or hydraulic package adds more.

When in doubt:If your boat has a built-in console with windshield, you want remote. If your boat is a tin with bench seats and no console, you want tiller. The middle case (14-16 ft with console) goes either way; we usually push remote on those, because it ages better as kids and gear pile in.

Tiller vs remote steering at a glance

Factor	Tiller	Remote (helm)
Best hull length	14-18 ft aluminum	16-22 ft+
HP range	20-60 HP sweet spot; Advanced Tiller available up to 115 HP	60 HP+, especially 90 HP+
Price (Mercury)	Bare motor from the live pricing reference; controls, rigging, and labour quoted separately	Bare motor from the live pricing reference; controls, rigging, labour, and any SmartCraft or hydraulic package quoted separately
Steering	Direct, reverse-intuitive	Cable or hydraulic: match the approved system to the boat and engine; hydraulic adds roughly $800-$1,500
Best for	Solo / back-of-boat fishing, trolling	Family, passengers, bigger water
Rice Lake pick	60 HP EFI tiller (standard gearcase); ProKicker 9.9	90-115 HP remote
Tiller-to-remote conversion	$500-$1,500+ parts + labour	-

Prices here are planning figures as of September 2026. For live Mercury motor pricing, see the Mercury pricing reference.

The simple version

Most small boats want tiller. Most bigger boats want remote control. The question isn't complicated unless you're in the crossover zone, which is 14 to 16-foot hulls in the 25 to 40 HP range.

We sell both configurations at HBW. The decision comes down to honest analysis of how you use the boat. Solo fishing where you sit in the back wants tiller. Family fishing where the operator is at the helm wants remote. Crossover cases are where it gets harder.

What changes the answer

Helm layout. If the boat already has a console, the helm is where the operator belongs and remote is the usual match. An open tin with bench seats and no console usually wants tiller.

How you handle the boat. Solo fishing from the transom wants tiller. Family use, passengers, and talking to people at the bow want remote.

Normal use and workload. Small portable motors and kickers are typically tiller. Higher-HP mains that run long days at speed are usually remote because the handle becomes work. Some 60 HP tiller configurations exist for specific applications.

Length is only a clue. A 16-foot tin fished solo can stay tiller; a 16-foot console boat usually wants remote. Use the helm and how you actually run the boat, not a length cutoff.

Personal preference. Some experienced solo anglers prefer the direct feel of tiller even on bigger boats. It's a legitimate call.

When tiller is clearly right

Small tin boats (10–14 ft) without a console
Solo fishing where the operator sits at the back
Kicker motors on bigger boats, the 9.9 ProKicker tiller is the classic Rice Lake walleye setup
Sailboat auxiliaries
Dinghies and yacht tenders

The clear no for tiller:

Console boats over 16 ft, the helm exists; tiller is awkward from it
Family boats where the captain needs to talk to people up front
Higher HP motors (50+ HP) where the tiller becomes physically demanding

When remote control is clearly right

Console boats over 16 ft, standard configuration
Family fishing and recreation
Bigger HP main motors (90+ HP)
Pontoons, the helm seat and remote control is the standard pontoon configuration
Any boat with a hardtop or T-top where the helm is away from the transom

The clear no for remote:

Very small boats (10–14 ft) without a console, adds cost and complexity for no functional gain
Kicker applications where direct tiller control is preferred
Sailboat auxiliaries where remote rigging is unnecessarily complex

The crossover zone: 14–16 ft hulls, 25–40 HP

This is where it gets honest:

Tiller advantages in this size class:

Lower total cost, no rigging cables, no helm controls
Simpler installation, drop-in vs. full rigging
Direct fishing control for solo or two-person use
Lighter overall weight

Remote advantages in this size class:

Better passenger interaction, captain can talk to people up front
More comfortable for long runs, sit at the helm vs. crouch at the transom
Better visibility from the helm position
Standard expectation for family-oriented boats in this size

We see customers go either way on this size class. The deciding factor is almost always use case, solo fishing often stays tiller; family use usually goes remote.

Tiller variants

Standard tiller: Manual or electric start. Throttle and shift integrated into the tiller arm. Standard on portable Mercury motors.

Power tiller: Power tilt/trim assist via a switch on the tiller handle. Common on bigger tiller motors (40+ HP). Adds cost but reduces operator effort, worth it on motors you're running for long periods.

High-thrust tiller (ProKicker variants): Built specifically for fishing kicker applications. High-thrust gearcase, larger prop, longer shaft for big-boat transoms. See the ProKicker guide for details.

Remote control variants

Mechanical remote control: Cable-driven throttle and shift. Steering is a separate system; a motor with mechanical throttle and shift can use an approved cable or hydraulic steering setup.

Digital Throttle and Shift (DTS): Electronic throttle and shift, no cable wear, smoother operation. Available on higher-HP Mercury motors (generally 150 HP and up). More refined feel.

Cable vs hydraulic steering:

Cable: Check the exact helm and cable system against its manufacturer's application limits. Horsepower alone does not establish suitability.
Hydraulic: Choose a compatible cylinder, helm and hose package for the engine and boat. Compare steering effort and handling with the approved cable alternatives.
Power-assist: Available on some high-HP applications. Easiest feel, most refined.

We rig both at HBW. Specific recommendations depend on motor HP and how you use the boat.

Common mistakes

Buying tiller for a console boat. The console exists for the helm. Driving a console boat from the transom is awkward every single trip.

Planning to "convert later." The conversion runs $500-$1,500+ in parts and labour. Speccing remote at repower time is always cheaper.

Going tiller on more horsepower than your arm wants. Above 60 HP, a full day on the handle is work. That's remote territory for most people.

Ready to choose?

Build a quote at mercuryrepower.ca, live pricing in CAD with full configuration options for both tiller and remote.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I convert my Mercury outboard from tiller to remote steering later?: Yes, you can convert most Mercury outboards from tiller to remote steering if the motor supports both configurations. A remote conversion requires a steering kit, helm controls, and installation labour, typically $500-$1,500+ in parts and labour. It costs less to spec it correctly upfront than to retrofit later. If you're considering a conversion, ask Harris Boat Works to quote it before you decide, it may be easier to order the remote-configured motor directly. Call 905-342-2153.
Is tiller steering harder to learn than remote steering?: Tiller is not harder to learn, it's different. The main adjustment is that tiller steering is reverse-intuitive: pushing the handle right turns the bow left. Most new tiller operators get comfortable within one or two outings. After that, many prefer it for the directness and feedback. The only situation where tiller gets challenging is at high speeds with powerful motors, which is exactly when remote steering makes more sense anyway.
What's the biggest Mercury motor available in tiller configuration?: Mercury offers tiller steering from small portable motors through select 40-115 HP FourStroke and SeaPro models with the Advanced Tiller system. Above that range, remote steering is the normal setup. The right choice depends less on the maximum HP and more on the hull, driver position, workload, and how the boat is used. On a typical 16-18 ft planing aluminum V-hull, HBW starts with the standard gearcase; Command Thrust is for pontoons, workboats, and special displacement or load cases.
Can I have both tiller and remote steering on the same outboard motor?: No, a single outboard motor is configured for one control type, either tiller or remote, not both simultaneously. On some specialized fishing boat setups, dual-control rigging exists (side mount tiller extension plus a remote), but this is not a standard configuration. If your use case requires steering from multiple positions, a second motor (such as a ProKicker trolling motor) or purpose-built dual-control rigging is the practical answer.
What is the cost difference between tiller and remote steering on a Mercury outboard?: A tiller-configured Mercury outboard is typically less expensive than the remote-steering version of the same HP motor. However, a remote setup requires additional components, steering system, helm controls, throttle/shift box, adding cost. For a complete rigging comparison on a 60HP motor, a tiller setup is often $800-$1,500 less expensive total than a fully rigged remote setup with hydraulic steering. Build a quote at mercuryrepower.ca/quote/motor-selection and call 905-342-2153 for full rigging cost.
Is tiller or remote steering better for fishing on Rice Lake?: For fishing on Rice Lake specifically, tiller is the choice of most serious anglers. Rice Lake is shallow and weedy, precise boat positioning matters. Tiller lets you stand at the transom, keep your eyes on the sonar and water ahead, and make immediate course corrections without looking at the helm. Remote steering makes more sense on Rice Lake for family trips, longer runs, or if your boat is 18ft or larger and needs a console for passenger seating.
Does Mercury offer electronic or digital tiller steering?: Mercury does not currently offer fully electronic or steer-by-wire tiller systems, the tiller remains a direct mechanical connection to the motor. However, Mercury's tiller-equipped motors do integrate with the SmartCraft digital ecosystem via Bluetooth: SmartCraft Connect Mobile (formerly VesselView Mobile) shows engine data, maintenance schedules, and trip information on a smartphone. The result is mechanical simplicity at the control point with digital monitoring on your phone.
Is hydraulic steering worth it on a Mercury outboard, and what does it cost?: There is no single horsepower cutoff that makes every cable or hydraulic system suitable. Check the steering manufacturer's application limits for the exact boat, engine and components. Hydraulic steering can improve steering effort and feel where an approved package is available. The cost adds roughly $800-$1,500 CAD to rigging cost depending on the system and installation. Harris Boat Works specs the right steering for your motor and hull during the rigging process.
Which Mercury tiller motor is best for a 16-foot aluminum boat on a Kawartha lake?: For a 16-foot aluminum boat on Rice Lake or the Kawarthas, the Mercury 60HP EFI FourStroke in tiller (standard gearcase) is the most popular choice. It has plenty of power for two or three people plus gear, handles the variable conditions on Kawartha lakes well, and gives you reliable EFI cold-starts every morning. HBW usually specs the standard gearcase on this planing aluminum V-hull; Command Thrust is a hull, load, and propeller choice more often used on pontoons, workboats, and unusually heavy setups. If you want more low-speed control for trolling, add a 9.9 HP ProKicker.

Harris Boat Works · 5369 Harris Boat Works Rd, Gores Landing, ON · (905) 342-2153

See all Mercury outboard prices (CAD) · Repower guide · FAQ