Teleflex NFP 4.2 vs Safe-T II Helm for V-4 engine

[louiefl]

My steering froze up for the most part over the weekend and looks like it is time for replacement. I have a 17'5" Aquasport with a 88 johnson outboard. I was able to remove the steering wheel, helm, and cable. The cable connection at the engine was simple once I lifted the engine off the transom. I'm ready to put everything back together and picked up a Teleflex steering kit with the No Feed Back rotary helm. Problem is that I got the 4.2 instead of the Safe-T II. The 4.2 is made for "up to V6" engines and has a slower ratio - 4.2 turns lock to lock. The Safe-T II is made for "V4s and V6s up to 50 mph" (I top out at 40 mph); it has a ratio of 3 turns lock to lock. Both are the No Feed Back system.

I realize it will take more steering wheel rotation to achieve the same change in boat direction, but is this an issue? It seems like it would be less responsive, but would tend to wander less on center. An opinions?

 

[louiefl]

Re: Teleflex NFP 4.2 vs Safe-T II Helm for V-4 engine

The more I thought about this, the more I decided that I didn't want the extra turns and went back and got the Safe-T II with 3 turns lock to lock. The steering effort was pretty high, so I played around with the outboard trim tab and the engine trim, and it didn't get any better. I checked the routing of the cable to make sure there were no tight bends and lubed the engine steering pivot zerk fitting and it still didn't help. I went back and got the 4.2 helm, and it was like night and day. After a week of use, I don't notice the extra turns and the effort is pretty low.

If anyone is faced with the same question, I would strongly recommend the 4.2 (actually closer to 5 turns) over the Safe-T II. Both are the new No Feedback system which is also well worth the upgrade. Maybe next time I'll just bite the bullet and go with the Baystar hydaulic...

 

[BeachRum1962]

Re: Teleflex NFP 4.2 vs Safe-T II Helm for V-4 engine

Hi louiefl, I am about to do the same thing on my 17.5 hydra-sports w/ 1988 Johnson 150 HP. I currently have Teleflex dual cable Safe-T helm but hopefully do not need to replace that. My steering has gotten progressively tighter and I first need to remove the cables and clean the tilt tubes. Then if I still need to replace the cables, I'll proceed with that. I'm hoping I don't need to remove the outboard to remove the cables. I'd like to know more about how you removed your cables, i.e., did you unhook from helm and pull out from transom? I have read where you tie or tape a line to that end and when you pull old cable out from the transom you have something to tie new cable to. How did you lift your engine off the transom?

 

[louiefl]

Re: Teleflex NFP 4.2 vs Safe-T II Helm for V-4 engine

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=571891

I just unloaded everything I know about doing my own rotary helm / cable replacement.

I lifted mine using a beam and eyebolt fastened to my garage ceiling joists - I'm an engineer and did structural calcs to make sure nothing would fail lifting the engine - mine weighs 300 lb, but yours will be heavier. Common sense should rule, but I don't want to give bad advice and have someone get hurt, or worse yet - someone drops their engine! I would recommend renting a cherry picker engine hoist, probably $25 a day and much safer than a tree limb.