Uflex B183 Side Mount Single Lever Boat Control with X12 Switch

The Uflex B183 is a side mount single lever control built to run both throttle and shift from one handle on any boat with an outboard. One lever, dual action. Push the handle forward and you're in ahead, pull it back for reverse, and the middle detent gives you a clean, positive neutral. It's the kind of no-drama control you want at a side console where dash real estate is tight and you'd rather not give up room to a bulky top-mount box.

This one mounts on the side of the console or dash, and it plays nice with most standard control cables, including MachZero. If you're running the common 33C style cable, you're in good shape. We see the B183 go onto everything from 16 to 21 foot skiffs and jon boats to small center consoles, basically any single-outboard rig that needs a solid, serviceable helm control without a lot of fuss.

The dual-action design is what makes it feel so natural underway. Throttle and shift live on the same handle, moving through the same arc, so your hand learns it in one trip out and never has to think about it again. Off the plane, easing into a no-wake zone, backing off a trailer, you're working one lever with one hand while the other stays on the wheel. That's exactly what you want when you're docking single-handed on a windy afternoon.

One feature boaters appreciate is the pull-out handle for warm-up. Pull the lever out and it disengages the shift, so you can bump the throttle up to warm a cold outboard on a chilly morning without ever putting the boat in gear. Let it back in and you're ready to run. Simple, and it saves the dance of holding a fast idle at the dock.

The B183 ships with the X12 neutral safety switch, and that's a real safety win. The switch only lets the engine crank when the control is in neutral. No more starting in gear and lurching the boat against the dock or your buddy on the bow. One heads-up from folks who've wired these in: the switch leads can run short for a typical console. If your battery and ignition are a long reach from the helm, plan on splicing in a little extra wire so you're not stretching the harness.

A few install notes from the water. When you route your cables, keep the bends gentle and give the cable ends a light pre-lube before you seat them in the lever housing. On longer runs, say a 20 foot center console, tight bends are the usual reason a cable feels stiff or binds. Take your time with the routing and the throttle will stay light for years. If you're mounting to an aluminum hull, add a backing plate behind the bracket. Aluminum flexes and vibrates more than glass, and a backing plate keeps the screw holes from working loose or cracking over a couple of seasons.

What's it best for? Single-lever dual-action control like this suits most outboards in the 40 to 90 horsepower range beautifully. The lever throw is a touch shorter than some factory OEM controls, so the action feels quick and direct once you're used to it. First-timers sometimes expect a longer sweep, but it becomes second nature fast. If you run a big offshore boat with dual engines, this isn't the control for that job, but for a single-outboard skiff, bay boat, or utility rig, it's right in the wheelhouse.

Come spring, if the control feels sticky in neutral after sitting all winter, don't panic. A little marine grease on the pivot points frees it right up. These are mechanical controls, so a small amount of seasonal maintenance keeps the shift and throttle crisp. We're happy to help you match the right cables to your engine and steering setup before you order, so give us a shout if you're not sure what length or cable type your boat needs.