Steering Replacment

[puddle jumper]

I am looking to buy a new steering system for my boat. It will be a cable system(ether a rack and pinion or a rotary system). What do I need to know so I get the right package for my boat. Do I measure the cables that are on my boat now or is there another measurement I need to do? Are there other things I need to know before ordering.

What is the better system the rack and pinion or the rotary?

Any input is great full
thanks.

 

[Bass Buster One]

Re: Steering Replacment

Don't know about the systems, persay, but I just had steering cables replaced by a boat service. First thing the guy did was look at the numbers stamped into the cables. The cables are all pre assembled in predetermined lengths, complete with the linkages and rods already attached. Just about all boating steering cables, even old models, such as Morse (aquired by Tele Flex), are cross referenced against the old number. My system (on a 1987 Bass Boat) is a dual rack and pinion. To change it to another type, say rotary or even hydraulic, required a lot more hardware, even a new helm wheel assembly, and cost a lot more. Sorry, that's about all I can relay to you about the steering cables. Hope it helped you.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Steering Replacment

When I was rebuilding my boat and had to replace the steering I found that the Teleflex website has a lot of information about how to measure for cable length and so on.

As far as which is better, well - there are plenty of boats on the water with both rotary and rack systems. A big consideration will be what's going to fit in your boat. High performance boats generally use a dual cable rack system (or else go high $$$ and use a hydraulic system). I believe I'd probably stick with whatever type was installed to begin with, unless there's some obvious reason to change.