New Steering

[ScottG76]

A few people suggested that I upgrade to rack and pinion because my boat is over 30 years old. How hard would it be for a novice to upgrade on a 16' fibreglass runabout?

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: New Steering

That is a hard question to answer without seeing the set up. Usually the hardest part is getting the cable in properly. You cannot make any sharp bends in it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New Steering

what motor are you running? still have the original cable/pulley system? if i were to replace mine it would be with rotary, not rack. much more use friendly.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New Steering

I recently replaced my pulley and cable system with rack and pinion. Very easy to do. You'll need to locate a steering link bar for your engine so you can utilize the tilt tube. If you don't have a tilt tube then you'll need to find a transom mount.

 

[ScottG76]

Re: New Steering

what motor are you running? still have the original cable/pulley system? if i were to replace mine it would be with rotary, not rack. much more use friendly.

I'm running a 1970 Evinrude right now, but will almost definitely get a newer engine before she hits the water. It still has the original pulley system installed, and even thought it seems to work, it looks beat up.

 

[jacobmorin]

Re: New Steering

Can you run a newer motor with the old pulley system? Or do you have to upgrade?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: New Steering

Jacob, You may run a newer engine with the old cable and pulley system.

Scott, If you plan to use an older outboard, it either needs to have the hollow tilt tube for the cable to be installed or you will need to buy the clamp that connects the cable to the splashwell.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: New Steering

Don't get the steering cable until after you get the new motor. It can vary the length by more than a foot. With our 71 50 horse hooked up to the cable that came with the boat, using the transom clamp doohickey, there is more than an extra foot of slack. You cannot coil it up neither. It wont bend much. If you have extra, you are in trouble. With the '79 55 horse, it fits almost perfectly, as it has the tube in the transom mount, and doesn't use that goofy transom clamp doohickey.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New Steering

here's how i connected my cable pulley to the 71 50 hp, and will use the same on the 88 48 spl that is coming for it.