1991 Playcraft pontoon restoration

warddog

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Jun 23, 2025
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I recently bought this pontoon as a project and am in the process of removing everything from the deck so I can replace plywood and carpeting. All the furniture as well as the helm console were totally trashed but had the helm and the steering wheel that I got out of the console. How do I remove thew steering cable from this steering mechanism as it appears different than the ones I have looked at in online videos? This mechanism has the cable coming into it but nothing coming out as I have seen from others.
 

warddog

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Jun 23, 2025
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5
I recently bought this pontoon as a project and am in the process of removing everything from the deck so I can replace plywood and carpeting. All the furniture as well as the helm console were totally trashed but had the helm and the steering wheel that I got out of the console. How do I remove thew steering cable from this steering mechanism as it appears different than the ones I have looked at in online videos? This mechanism has the cable coming into it but nothing coming out as I have seen from others.

Undo the motor end.
I still have to get the cable out of the steering box, which is my question. Removing the motor end isn't my problem.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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if its a rack and pinion helm, you dont get the cable out. you get a whole rack and cable assembly
 

warddog

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if its a rack and pinion helm, you dont get the cable out. you get a whole rack and cable assembly
So you are saying that in order to get the steering cable out of the floor to replace the steering console, I have to remove it from the motor end and pull it out through the floor from the helm end?
 

Scott Danforth

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If you have a rack and pinion helm. The rack is crimped to the cable sheath.
 

warddog

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Jun 23, 2025
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If you have a rack and pinion helm. The rack is crimped to the cable sheath.
I am new to boats and have no clue of what it is. I'm going to see if I can post pictures for those much brighter than I am on these things. This is the front and back. Cable comes into the unit at the top and doesn't exit it as the unit is closed. I have more pics if needed. Thank you for your inpout.
 

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Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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That is a rotary helm. You may be able to separate the helm from the cable by disassembling the helm
 

redneck joe

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Mar 18, 2009
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For just getting started on the whole thing i would disconnect at motor and pull back up to helm and remove helm all at once, which you will be doing anyway. Work on the steering as you can.
 

warddog

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Jun 23, 2025
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disconnected the steering cable from the motor BUT cannot get it out. The steering console was shot so I've removed the helm from it and it is sitting intact on the floor. I've pulled as much cable through the floor so I've got plenty of room at the motor end to pull the cable out BUT cannot budge the cable out of the steering sleeve on the motor.
 
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