Steering Cable for 65 HP, 1973 Johnson

L

lesterdp

Recruit
Joined
Aug 6, 2003
Messages
2
Rookie boat owner. Have had this boat (1973 Ouachita Bass Boat) in the family for 15 years and engine is fantastic. Boat is slowly beginning to fall apart. Current problem is steering cable rusted. Steering is done by moving a shift lever forward for left turn and backward for right turn. Any suggestions on how to find steering cable?? Easy to install or should I get someone else??<br /><br />Thanks..
 
P

papasage

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 12, 2003
Messages
785
Re: Steering Cable for 65 HP, 1973 Johnson

it would probabley be just as cheap to replace the whole thing. the stearing may be obsleet . when my money was to tight to buy one i made one with plastic coated cable it worked fine . still have it somewhere in the shop . papasage
 
oldboat1

oldboat1

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 3, 2002
Messages
9,612
Re: Steering Cable for 65 HP, 1973 Johnson

It sounds like you have one of those interesting old stick-steering systems. You may not be able to replace the cable like you ordinarily might do in a regular steering system -- would have to replace the whole unit, if you can find it. You might try greasing the shaft at the motor and see if that frees up the steering, or attempting to get some grease into the steering unit (maybe by partially disconnecting the cable, and running grease through it by loading the exposed cable). If it's really rusted, safety would require that you replace the cable and maybe the system.
 
L

lesterdp

Recruit
Joined
Aug 6, 2003
Messages
2
Re: Steering Cable for 65 HP, 1973 Johnson

It is a really weird steering system. Unfortunately the cable was exposed and it is almost rusted in two. Anyone have an idea where I can get another cable or an entire system (ouch!)? Appears as if the company that made the boat went out of business.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top