Steering recommendation

[djmeaney]

I posted this in the Starcraft Forum, but thought I would post here as well...

I have 1970 18' Starcraft SS sterndrive that I bought a year ago. Recently repowered from an MC-1 to an Alpha One. The existing steering cable does not fit the steering lever on the A1 transom assembly. (The 'flattened' section of the steering rod is not wide enough and binds on the edges of the steering lever.)

The existing steering mechanism is rotary and I thought it best to stay with what has worked for 42 years.

However, when I go to Uflex's or Teleflex's web sites they recommend a hydraulic system for non-power assisted sterndrives. This seems to be overkill for a Mercruiser 3.0, but I am a newbie and have nothing to really base that on other than what was previously installed on the boat.

Is it okay to replace a rotary system with a newer rotary system in 3.0L? Is one brand preferred over another?

Thanks,

 

[alldodge]

Re: Steering recommendation

You can get by without power assist being a 3.0 but power assist is safer (my opinion only). I remember some older boats we use to have and if you let go of the steering at all it would start turning. That being said, you can get by without power assist. Will need to add the anode with the fin on the drive to help with torque steer. Full hydraulic steering is a bit costly but the good side there is no power steering pump to mount. So far as manufacture's, I haven't heard of issues with either one.

Good luck

 

[djmeaney]

Re: Steering recommendation

Thanks AllDodge,

Ended by contacting Uflex and Teleflex directly to see which of their systems they recommended for an 18' Starcraft SS with a 3.0L I/O.

Uflex recommended their Rotech Steering Kit and Teleflex recommended either their Safe-T QC Steering Kit or NFB 4.2 depending on how much of a probelm steering torque had been in the past.

Decided to go with the Rotech.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Steering recommendation

Sounds good, most the time it works out with buying new stuff. The boating world just doesn't make the same stuff very long. Have a good one