Is my steering legal?

[SaltyRob]

I was in a marine store today, we got to talking about my '71 MFG Carefree. The store owner told me the stock cable steering may be illegal depending on the HP. Has anyone heard of this? Is this true? If so, at what HP would the factory cable steering become illegal? Thanks, Salty

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Is my steering legal?

Seems like I remember reading motors 150 HP and larger should have dual steering cables. I don't know of any law regarding that.

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Is my steering legal?

I was in a marine store today, we got to talking about my '71 MFG Carefree. The store owner told me the stock cable steering may be illegal depending on the HP. Has anyone heard of this? Is this true? If so, at what HP would the factory cable steering become illegal? Thanks, Salty

To my knowledge, they are not illegal. However, they do need regular looking after. If you're doing an all original restore, then "go for it" You should replace everything with new parts! If not I'd upgrade to a newer rotary type. They are much more reliable and a bit safer.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Is my steering legal?

I would hazard a guess that cable steering became "illegal" for manufacturers after a certain date per USCG regulations. This is just a guess because I can't find this in the CG regs. The regs would not make cable steering illegal for pre-existing boats. That is if this is even true. Wonder if your dealer was trying to make a few extra bucks? Yeah, I know, I was born cynical.

 

[yanks21]

Re: Is my steering legal?

I have a 70 carefree. In NY, the steering is perfectly legal, as long as it functions properly. My old cable and drum steering worked fine up to about a year ago. After 40 year, the pot metal sleeve that holds the system together, broke at the dash. Before I became a member here, I went looking for parts. None existed. Unless I wanted to have the sleeve manufactured, I had to go to new steering. West marine had a simple to install cable and rod steering that works great. I had to adapt the motor attachment for my 69 Johnson 55hp, but she steers better than ever. Unless your state says otherwise, I know of no "illegal" steering. That would be like having to install power steering in a 29 ford Model A...