Single-lever engine controls

[FloatingMoneyPit]

Tim, is the handle on your Vetus control removeable? If not, does it cause any problems?
My old 2 lever Morse controls have to be replaced. They are located right in the middle of the cockpit, which is ideal when motoring but they become sheet-snaggers when sailing.
Anyone know of controls besides the Vetus, Teleflex Morse SL3, or the cool-but-costly Spinlock winch handle thing?

[Tim]

The handle is not removable, at least not on a regular basis, so it stays in place. On occasion, sheets do tangle on it, though the relatively smooth design keeps this from being a huge problem.

I really like the Vetus control, but it was not inexpensive. The Teleflex control I used on the Daysailor was much less expensive and seems OK, but the handle somehow seems more in the way than the Vetus. Also, it has a grippy surface covering that tends to grip lines (and legs) more than the smooth Vetus with traditional plastic ball top.

I don't know why controls with removable handles aren't still common, but they aren't. Maybe the shift of the sailboat industry towards pedestal steering and pedestal-mounted controls drove this change. In any event, other than the Spinlock winch handle control, I'm not aware of a sailboat control with readily removable handles.