Device for controlling boat speed

A low speed control device adapted to be mounted on the anti-cavitation plate of a boat's propulsion unit, which includes a motor and a propeller operatively connected thereto, wherein the anti-cavitation plate defines a horizontal plane when the motor is in operative position, which device comprises, in combination:

• a unitary plate including spaced members defining a mounting pivot aperture adjacent an end portion of the plate, and an actuator pivot aperture spaced from the plate end portion defining the mounting pivot aperture;
• mounting bracket means adapted to clamp onto said anti-cavitation plate, said bracket means including a top actuator pivot aperture disposed above said anti-cavitation plate, and also including a lower actuation pivot aperture disposed no lower that the horizontal plane defined by said anti-cavitation plate when the motor is in operative position;
• an actuator being longitudinally extensible and retractable;
• first connection means for connecting one end of said actuator to the top actuator pivot aperture of the mounting bracket means and second connection means for connecting the opposite end of the actuator to the unitary plate whereby all forces of extension or contraction of the actuator are between the top pivot on the mounting bracket means and the actuator pivot on the unitary plate;
• the unitary plate being movable between a vertical position where the plate is deployed immediately aft of the propeller and blocks the wash therefrom and a horizontal position where the unitary plate is spaced from the propeller and located parallel to the plane of the anti-cavitation plate;
• and
• a source of power to said actuator to cause the same to be extended or contracted to incrementally move the unitary plate between its vertical and horizontal positions.