70's Tri-hull steering wheel change (what the heck is this thing)

[dhughes214]

Ok, so I'm sick of the enormous, in the way, ugly steering wheel on my 70's sundance tri-hull. I actually have a nice steering wheel laying around I would like to put on it. So yesterday, I pull of the old steering wheel, and it looks like nothing I've ever seen before. The spline is down about 6 inches in the dash, and theres a piece of aluminum that slides into the spindle, that has a square shape at the end of it. that square shape comes out of the dasy, and the steering wheel has a square hole that slides over that. Then the whole thing bolts together with one long bolt. I will upload pics tomorrow, to help you guys understand. But I'm guessing that since the 70's I can't be the only person who's ever tried to upgrade the steering wheel on a sundance tri-hull. Just wondering if there is an actual adapter I can buy (doubtful) or if someone has a semi-easy way of changing the wheel. Thanks in advance for any help guys.

 

[Stachi]

Re: 70's Tri-hull steering wheel change (what the heck is this thing)

I got lucky on my '73 Winner Marauder...a slick little chrome and black foam 3 spoke steering wheel from Pep Boys bolted right on ! .. I feel your pain though....

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 70's Tri-hull steering wheel change (what the heck is this thing)

Is it cable steering with pulley system or single morse cable? you might not be able to replace the wheel w/o doing the whole helm.

 

[dhughes214]

Re: 70's Tri-hull steering wheel change (what the heck is this thing)

no it's not a pully system. just one cable

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 70's Tri-hull steering wheel change (what the heck is this thing)

There are companies on the internet that sell wheel adapters but you need to google them.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 70's Tri-hull steering wheel change (what the heck is this thing)

I don't know the company that made them but old Glastrons of the 70s era used that type of steering helm. I seem to remember that it was called ride-guide, perhaps by Mercury.

Nothing wrong with them except that you can't install a newer standard wheel. I'm currently using one on my 14 foot go-fast.

 

[dhughes214]

Re: 70's Tri-hull steering wheel change (what the heck is this thing)

Yes it is a Ride Guide, it says that on the steering wheel cap. After searching and searching I finally found one company that makes an adapter for them. If anybody else has this steering type and would like to get an adapter, or if a google search got you here, here is the link: http://shopping.rexmar.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=steeradapt2rg

$35 dollars really isn't that bad when you consider they are the only ones and could basically name their price.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 70's Tri-hull steering wheel change (what the heck is this thing)

Hey, Thanks! I might just buy one.