bit confused-1955 RDE-17 25 hp.(electric start)-starter latch vs mercury switch

[outboardnut]

The subject motor is a 1955 RDE-17 25 hp.(electric start)
It is my understanding is that the starter latch exists so a person cannot start the motor in high throttle when you using the manual starter (rewind).
It is my understanding is that the mercury switch exists so a person cannot start the motor in high throttle when you starting remotely (at steering wheel of boat)
Can I get rid of the starter latch because the mercury switch does the same function whether starting manually or remotely?????

[frankr]

The mercury switch does not prevent starting it by pulling the rope. It only disables the electric starter.

[trex014]

With the amount of 25hps I have that have some part of the recoil stop latch system broken, it shouldn’t hurt to remove it but why would you? If you’re remote starting then the recoil latch has zero effect whether the motor turns over or not.

I think that having the recoil latch operating properly is more useful when tiller steering, so you don’t get flung over the transom when starting at high throttle. Much less of an issue then remote starting.

It’s one thing to remove it on a motor you will personally use and keep, but the next person who gets it might not realize what has been done to it.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 7 months ago by trex014.

[outboardnut]

Thanks Frank – I ran out of coffee this morning and was not thinking correctly

[opposedtwin]

outboardnut wrote:

Thanks Frank – I ran out of coffee this morning and was not thinking correctly

Ha ha! Don’t ever run out of coffee!!

[Author]

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