Very n00b question about steering

[completetech]

My steering is very difficult and I was told that it is shot and I should replace the cables (by not just one, or two people, but at least 3). So I posted a link to a few pictures I just took a shot of. But I guess my main thing is what is it that I have, and secondly, should I stick with the same thing or go with something different?

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/J_7UTnGTrwDP0ZR0dDwLBY2EPq7RJzIADC7KsembYek?feat=directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/km_mOXUWUgpJZqK9ckct142EPq7RJzIADC7KsembYek?feat=directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TZbZhDmAB94dFA01i3TA2I2EPq7RJzIADC7KsembYek?feat=directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nsHLMvDKkuRioFL1y-hLbI2EPq7RJzIADC7KsembYek?feat=directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fv_yDEcAOyM0_ulnDZv4Y42EPq7RJzIADC7KsembYek?feat=directlink

As you can see on the one pic the cable insulation is completely shot and broke open, and rusted...

The boat is older I am sure. It's a https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/v9Ou4Vf8mNv-xLY3E7caxY2EPq7RJzIADC7KsembYek?feat=directlink and a Johnson 150 HP Seahorse 1979 I think maybe 78'. So of course I dont want to spend a lot of money fixing it up. and to make along story still kind of long I'll explain below.


Shortest version possible of the boat:

Purchased the boat approximately 3 years ago for $1800.00. Was suppose to go in half with a friend. Never got any money. But not a big deal (that's another story in itself). I had issues with it starting after awhile so brought it to a boat mechanic as I am far to busy to work on most things, even though I like to most of the time. He rebuilt the carbs. Everything was fine. For awhile. then the thermostat. then the carbs and also some gaskets. again fine for awhile. then it would only start if you showed it some love and a few bad words. Brought it back to another mechanic. A place that everyone in town says they trust and goes to and has been in business for a lot of years.

After having it there for a long time they also rebuilt the carbs put in a thermostat and also a tune up on it. Brought it to the water about two weeks later after I got it back. same thing. wouldnt start. a little starting fluid would get it going but wouldnt start cold by itself.

Brought back to the last place and they said it was fine. of course it was thats why they couldnt get it started either. Anyhow. So now I decide, like in most things in life to not really trust anyone. So we start playing around and noticed that the cable that connects to the motor to control the gearing position (Drive, N, and Reverse) is broken inside the shifter (not sure the correct name, I'm more of a fishermen then a boater, sorry). disconnect this from the motor and by hand put it in the correct position, and first time trying to crank it. She starts.

So I go back to the place that said everything was fine but couldnt get it to start as they are the only place. Yes. The only place anywhere even remotely around 2 plus hour one way, to get the part I needed. Got the part. however with all the work I had at the end of the season last year, I was never able to put it back in.

So now I can not remember how the cable connects up to everything. I see where it connects to the box and how. but can not seem to get everything back together quite right.


End of whole story, the short version!


So that brings me to the steering issue. I want to get the correct items along with the correct manual ordered so I can work on things myself as I can not seem to trust anyone around here.

Sorry about the long post and long story, but as far as the story goes. It's late so I might have rambled on some but that is still got to be a super short version, compaired to the whole story.


Thanks for reading.
Nathan

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Very n00b question about steering

it is a lot easer to replace the steering cable and the helm unit all at once.

 

[444]

Re: Very n00b question about steering

I also do all my own work, mainly because farming it out is too expensive. Anyway I had the same problem on my 79 Glastron CVX-20. The steering cables had cracks in the plastic liner and the cables were visually rusted. Steering was real hard to turn. Took a hard effort with both hands. My helm was some obsolete morse unit that was original to my boat and otherwise worked fine. I spent a bunch of time and found what were supposed to be the correct replacement cables for it, only for them not to work with my helm. So I had to end up buying a new helm anyway. I did buy a nice non-feedback unit, dual cable like the original. Don't know if the original was a non-feedback but with how still and rusted those cables where I bet it would have been a redneck non-feedback! I would suggest buying a kit that comes with the cables, helm and steering wheel. This way you have everything and don't have to **** around with it like I did and still ended up replacing everything anyway.

 

[completetech]

Re: Very n00b question about steering

so based off of my pics, what type of steering do I have? and I measured at slightly under 13ft. I measured slightly left of steering wheel to side of boat, then side of boat down to rear of the boat, and then all the way slightly past motor.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Very n00b question about steering

Looks like a rotary helm. What type of drive do you have (sounds like you have an I/O)?

 

[444]

Re: Very n00b question about steering

The helm should have a make and model on it somewhere. However like I said before, I would just buy a new helm/cables that is specified to work with your drive.

 

[completetech]

Re: Very n00b question about steering

so hate to sound dumb. but again I am more of a fisherman then a boater. So I am assuming that out board means that it is a motor that mounts to the rear of the boat. inboard it seems to me would be the motors that are more mounted in the boat i.e. bigger boats with a 350 or smaller ford 4 cyl in them? Is that correct?

I found the tag finally for my motor today and it 1978 150TL78S. Does this help? And / or is my assumption above correct?

 

[southkogs]

Re: Very n00b question about steering

You're correct - mostly: Outboard = motor hangs off the end (transom) of the boat. Inboard = Engine is inside the boat, but is a direct or "V" shaft to the prop generally under the boat (like many competition ski boats). Inboard/Outdrive = Engine is inside the boat, and a outboard stern drive hangs off the back of the boat (like many of the bow rider boats you typically see).

You've got a '78 150 Evinrude/Johnson Outboard from that model number. I think (total guess) you probably have limited room in the console where your helm is (like a bass boat type) and the rotary system is what works there. Something kinda' like THIS.

 

[completetech]

Re: Very n00b question about steering

that looks like what I was thinking. But I guess as I am not that knowledgable about this stuff yet. my thing i that i see what appears to be two cables coming from the rear of the motor going to the "helm/steering wheel" area. so would this kit you suggested work?

Also as a side note. I listed my measurements up above 13' it appears i should order a 15 or 16' cable set correct?

 

[444]

Re: Very n00b question about steering

It's okay if your cables are a little long. Too short is bad news.

I would suggest stepping up to the teleflex safe-t II rotary helm. This is the one I run in my 20' boat with a mercury 175. The advantage to this one over the one southkogs linked to is the safe-t II is a non-feedback system. Meaning torq generated by throttling the engine up/down does not try to turn the steering wheel for you. My previous boat with a mercury 90 horse I had to hold onto the steering wheel and keep it straight when making large throttle position changes. The safe-t II is a universal helm, rotary, small in size and they make cables for it for every application.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Very n00b question about steering

^^^^ sounds like a good idea.

There are single and dual cable setups. I don't know rotary systems that well, I've always had racks on mine.

 

[completetech]

Re: Very n00b question about steering

So should my measurements work? And if so should just the one cable work or the two cable set. I am going to make the assumption that it should be the two.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Very n00b question about steering

The way I was taught to measure a cable is to measure from the helm over to the gunwale. Measure down the gunwale to the transom. Measure along the transom from the gunwale to the center of the drive. That length is what you're supposed to meet. Better to be a little long than to be too short.

Not being very familiar with rotary systems, I can't tell you the advantage of a single cable rotary vs. a dual cable rotary. All three of the systems that I've worked with were single cable racks. They were very easy to install and service. I would think either of the rotary options would be too.

 

[completetech]

Re: Very n00b question about steering

I guess my thing is I am not sure if I can get away with the cheaper one cable or stick with the two cable setup....

 

[completetech]

Re: Very n00b question about steering

did some more research and found that I should get this http://www.iboats.com/Dual-NFB-Rotary-Package-14-Teleflex-Marine/dm/*******.849094006--session_id.580996529--view_id.169497 which is fine, if that what is suggested by not only iboats, but also Teleflex based on the boat and motor I have. but boy is that a huge jump from what I was hoping to get a new set for.