1989 Starcraft Islander Steering

[MEhunter]

Hey guys, I'm wondering what I need for a steering cable for my 1989 22ft Islander? Right now the steering both ways is extremely stiff. The guy I bought the boat from said it just needed a new cable. Is that all it should need or could it be more than just the cable. Thanks for the help!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1989 Starcraft Islander Steering

Welcome aboard, MEhunter. Several things could be causing your steering woes. As you asked, the cable along with the steering box behind the dash or the steering spindle in the outdrive (we are talking I/O, right?). Disconnect the cable at the drive end and turn the wheel. If it's still hard to turn most likely cable or box. I would just get a new rotary steering system which includes box, cable and in some cases, steering wheel. Here EZ's source for an affordable system. If it is getting stiff, any fix is a band-aid. While the cable is still off grease the outdrive and check that it swings side to side easily.

Also, pics, lotsa pics. Pics keep the Mob happy. Again welcome aboard and have fun.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1989 Starcraft Islander Steering

Totally with GA here ^^^

The link he gave ya is the folks I went with for my last steering cable and all was good. In most cases by the time you fiddle around trying to repair an old one you could have had a brand new one in, ready to go for a little over a hundred bux. Surely the way to go eh!

Hey, I wonder what your new (old) Islander looks like? Post up so we can check it out

Welcome to iboats!

 

[MEhunter]

Re: 1989 Starcraft Islander Steering

Thanks for the relpy and info guys, I really appreciate it! When it comes to mechanics I know 0, so my job is to buy the parts and have my buddies install them. Then I come back into play when it's time to go fishing, I think it's a pretty fair trade off!! Thanks again and here's a few pics of the boat!

 

[MEhunter]

Re: 1989 Starcraft Islander Steering

One more question, is there a way to know how long of a cable I need without taking the old one off? I was hoping to get one ordered before I took the old one off. If not that's fine I will see if I can figure out how to get the old one off.

 

[barato2]

Re: 1989 Starcraft Islander Steering

beautiful boat and welcome! you can always estimate with a tape measure....remember to include the distance from gunwale to outdrive and to wheel, and buy the next size up (easier to stow excess than to lengthen)

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1989 Starcraft Islander Steering

Awesome fishing rig you have there!

Yah, you can certainly take measurements per manufactures recommendations. Sure fire way is to take the old one off and measure.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: 1989 Starcraft Islander Steering

Great boat must be fun. ??? Do you trailer it with the downrigger Balls dangeling from the booms?? real tough and very dangerous if you do. Love the higfher top then I normaly see. tight lines ---- Pugetsound.

 

[islanderrookie]

Re: 1989 Starcraft Islander Steering

I recently purchased a 1984 starcraft islander and am having the same issue with the tight steering. I am not near the boat right this minute, but am told it is either a hydrolic system or most likely cable. Can anyone give some more insight on this before I get back to the boat? If it is only a hundred bucks or so, I will justView attachment 146084

 

[islanderrookie]

Re: 1989 Starcraft Islander Steering

oh yeah, 3400.00 was the purchase price,

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1989 Starcraft Islander Steering

Hey IR, welcome! That's a great looking Islander you scored there

You'll really want to start a thread of your own though. Swing by over here and say hello to the guys...

http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=53

 

[barato2]

Re: 1989 Starcraft Islander Steering

Islanderrookie--

Jas is right, we'd love to see a separate thread on your boat. and no, you don't have hydraulic steering. it costs out the wazoo, like well over $1K, and thus is rarely seen on boats much under 25'