Cable Steering?

[RIStriperFisherman]

I have a 1968 15' Fiberglass Starcraft- Runabout.<br /><br />It currantly has that old Cable Steering (you know the one ) and i think when i get out on the water it will be a pain to turn, and wont turn real time.<br /><br />Is this boat to small for that Hydrawlic steering unit, How much do they cost?<br /><br />Any tips on improving the currant sagging cable lines if i decide to keep this steering ?<br /><br />thanks,<br />Mike

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Cable Steering?

By cable steering, do you mean a cable & pulley system, or do you mean a teleflex type system?<br /><br />Hydraulic for your application would be total overkill, not to mention quite expensive...(about $900)<br /><br />All you need is a simple Teleflex or Morse mechanical system...(push-pull system, about $150 for complete kit with everything you'll need)<br /><br /> web page <br /> <br />You may or may not need this depending on if your engine has a tilt tube or not.. web page

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Cable Steering?

With a boat your size, the cable pulley system is fine, but you want to make sure the slack is taken out. There are springs, you want there to be a little spring tension. If you have too much tension it can pull the pulley mounting blocks out of the glass (ask me how THAT happened). You want just enough tension to keep the slack out. It turns fairly easy as long as the steering wheel shaft is lubed, as well as the outboard pivot shaft. The cable pulley system is kind of noisy, and can transmit feedback, but its manageable. My last boat was a 17 ft 63 with 85 horse Merc and a cable pulley system. It worked fine, just a bit noisy.

 

[RIStriperFisherman]

Re: Cable Steering?

yes it's the cable and pulley- the reason i ask the question is (there is no motor on now)but when i get in the boat & turn the wheel- it seems like it take a while- and if i'm trying to dock the boat or manuver in marinas it seems like it will be a pain and not very quick responce?<br /><br />i didn't mean Hyrawlic steering- I mean the kind on most small boats, looks like hydrawlic i guess......the teleflex unit. i would like one of them, but seems pricey<br /><br />Mike

 

[Franki]

Re: Cable Steering?

I have changed my pulley/cable steering for a teleflex cable and steering box and the difference is incrediable..<br /><br />less slack, smoother, less noise, less space, more precision and generally a much more "quality" feel. also you don't have to worry about springs snapping and such..<br /><br />The steering cable and box was relatively cheap..<br /><br />I have a 100HP johnson, which was just too heavy for the cable/pully to work effectively.<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Cable Steering?

I had an old cable/pully system on a '67 larson<br />and it gave me nothing but troubles. nothing like<br />losing your steering at WOT.

 

[Franki]

Re: Cable Steering?

yup, I hear you there... I have had that happen..<br /><br />had 2 40HPs on the back, and I was going flatout to see what the top speed was when the spring let go...<br /><br />I dove up the back to manually control the OB's and we were ok,, but if they had pulled hard to the side, I would have had no time to respond and would have probably flipped at 45knots..<br /><br />scary stuff..<br /><br />pully steering has no place on a boat over 40 feet in my opinion. <br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank

 

[Franki]

Re: Cable Steering?

opps...<br /><br />sorry, meant 14 foot, not 40...<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Franki

 

[RIStriperFisherman]

Re: Cable Steering?

I hear ya there.<br /><br />Well- unless i can find a cheap teleflex, or i head down to the boat junkyard and see what i can find i highly doubt i will be changing soon <br /><br />any ways to improve it?

 

[David E. Parker]

Re: Cable Steering?

Keep an eye on ebay. I see used and new parts and whole systems on there on a regular basis.

 

[Valv]

Re: Cable Steering?

RIStriperFisherman, I can see what I have, I know I do, but I need you to measure lenght needed. What's the distance from center of steering wheel all the way around outboard ?<br /><br />Also does your motor have the tube to insert steering shaft ?

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Cable Steering?

Just for reference, I changed my steering to the Teleflex "No Feedback" system last spring and could't be more pleased with it. It's way better than my old Teleflex system and wasn't all that expensive. You may want to consider it.

 

[Franki]

Re: Cable Steering?

yeah, I was surprised by how cheap the teleflex rotary system was for me too. 250AUD. (half that for USD)<br /><br />Incidently you guys in the US have it good with ebay... in Australia, there are very few if any bargains on ebay.com.au... everything ends up selling for at least 90% of its purchase price and sometimes actually over it.... its crazy.. to many buyers not enough sellers.<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Franki

 

[oldboat1]

Re: Cable Steering?

You can buy a new Teleflex system (basic system) for $130 or so -- Ebay is OK too, if you know or learn enough about these systems to get what you need. I don't think you mentioned the motor you have, but you will need an attachment to hook up the cable to your motor -- also either a stern clamp or a steering tube to hold the end of the cable in place. If you can find a complete system on an old hull, you might be able to salvage it -- think it might help to look at some installed systems to get an idea of how everything hooks up.<br /><br />I ran into a shop that wouldn't work on a boat with the old pulley systems (claimed it was dangerous, as I suppose it could be if not maintained). If you are interested in authenticity, though, you might want to stick with the original system. If authenticity isn't an issue, the Teleflex/Morse systems are smoother.

 

[RIStriperFisherman]

Re: Cable Steering?

thanks alot There is a boat down at the junkyard i gave them $20. they said i could take what i need (the boat and trailer are rotted to the core) But there is a Control box, Electric Trailer Winch, Steering Wheel, Search Light, New Bimini top, Mooring cover(too big for my boat) A Okay shape Teleflex style steering system and some VERY VERY Nice back 2 Back seats (look like brand new)surprised of the nice things on such a demolished boat.. <br /><br />I grabbed the seats only FOR NOW because i didn't have any tools on me. but this weekend i will mesure & remove that steering system and everything else.<br /><br />I am looking for a motor, but i think i'm settled on a 1966 Johnson 33hp. Cleanest 66 i ever seen, must have been sitting since the 70s <br /><br />So will the Johnson 33 hook up to the steering?<br /><br />Oldboat1. I'm not restoring it to it's 1968 Style, it's modern- I have a VHF, CD radio, ETC i am installing on it, so authenticity is only the boat itself.<br /><br />thanks alot,<br />Mike

 

[what66]

Re: Cable Steering?

I have a boat with a pulley system also.<br />I want to put in a Teleflex system I have everthing but the cable mine was shot.<br />I did have one problem with my puller system<br />I was going at 15mph and turned to starboard but I couldn't turn back a rope had got stuck in one of the pulleys.<br />that was not fun go with the Teleflex.

 

[one more cast]

Re: Cable Steering?

I had an old 14' glass trihull once and the cable came off while I was fishing on a twisty river. I managed to get the cable back on but it was backward, turn left go right. It was almost dark so I drove it back to the ramp like that...it sounds simple but its not. I have a teleflex system on my 16' semi flat bottom and it is a far better system IMO.