Hi.

Sorry to take so long to answer. I've never considered it difficult to operate the controls on the outboard. I've taken it out once or twice a month for 29 years now. First in the SF Bay and then in Monterey Bay. Conservatively, I figure I've put over 100NM per year on her. Do the math. In my old age, I turn the motor off, put her in reverse and let her hang in the water for the rest of the sail while I have a nice lunch. I'm mostly a single hander and my crew is a great Nautico tiller pilot.