NHK MEC Boat Controls

Although most boat controls have much in common, each setup has its own differences and peculiarities. Throttle and transmission controls can be manual or electronic, and an actual architecture depends on the number of engines, their type, and some additional features offered by the manufacturer. NHK MEC Corporation is a reputable Japanese company that knows pretty much everything about boat controls. Established as a joint venture of NHK Spring and Rockwell, it has been competing on the marine market since the early 1970s and earned the trust of many boaters.

On different boats, the throttle and transmission are usually operated using a control head with one or two levers, and the assortment of NHK MEC controls includes plenty of manual and electronic models. The mechanical levers are available in the KL, MT-3, KB, and NB series. There are top- and side-mounted versions; most of them are adjustable and offered with various useful add-ons aimed at safer operation such as an optional neutral safety switch or interlock mechanism. The former prevents the motor from starting when the gears are engaged, while the latter permits shifting only when the engine is idling.

As for electronic control heads, they are more complex. Working in tandem with a control unit, they boast of many additional functions and abilities. For instance, you can switch between several control heads located in different parts of a vessel, synchronize several engines for moving at a given speed, receive alarm codes in the case of system errors, and so on. Some models support an optional mechanical backup function enabling you to retain control if the electronic system fails. Depending on the type of your throttle and transmission, you can choose from the KE-4, KE-5, KE-6, or KE-7 series. The first lineup was designed for boats with the mechanical shift&throttle, the second one is meant for the electronic shift&throttle, and other series are intended for different combinations of throttle and shift setups. All of these products are famous for their Japanese reliability and feature improved resistance to water and corrosion.