Need Steering/Control Help badly !!! (Refurbished Boat)

[DarkeMaster]

Hi Guys (and Gals),

I am on my very first classic rebuild/refurb project. I got what is supposed to be a 1960, 16ft Mariah cuddy cabin that I stole for $250 last weekend (see pics).

The problem is that it has been virtually stripped of all controls, steering/wiring and everything back to the fiberglass shell. I really don't mind that because I get the opportunity to put everything back in and I know what is there. BUT !!

I have never done a complete steering system/Control system from scratch before and I am fairly perplexed on where to start (what EXACTLY I am going to need). I am using a model 557HD (Serial# 1449) 1974 Chrysler 55HP that I have for the motor. SO I need help on how (and especially what) controls to look for (and maybe where to find them). Throttle/Shifter etc..and what kind of steering system this boat/motor requires. I do not have very much money so I have to do this on the fairly cheap side.

I would really appreciate any constructive help I can get to save time/money/effort on this project. I am so excited to get this done to show my wife that I am not a total crackpot for getting this boat and to enjoy my new toy..

Where do I begin ????

I need to go fishing soon...

SECONDARY QUESTIONS..

1. I am in California, is a 55HP motor big enough to use on this boat for coastal ocean fishing ?

2. Should I even consider using a 16ft boat in the ocean in the first place?

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Need Steering/Control Help badly !!! (Refurbished Boat)

First, look on eBay for controls. You can probably find a teleflex nfb system for a reasonable price.

As to your questions regarding taking the boat out in the Pacific...

What is your experience level with power boats?

The 55 can be enough motor on the right day. That boat looks a bit on the heavy side though and the 55 may be a little sluggish.

The open ocean can get very nasty in a big hurry! If you are inexperienced with your boat in these conditions, you can be in real danger quickly.

I would only recommend taking a 16' boat out on the ocean on a very calm day. You may find that once you get this boat running you will want to practice on more inland waters. Get the feel for how the boat handles and responds to different throttle and trim settings; learn how to take wakes and waves safely. Know your rig well before you venture out far.

After you feel confident with the boat, you may find you can get a decent return on your investment; you'll be wanting to go offshore more and a bigger boat will certainly be more suited for it.

Good luck with your project! That can become a sweet little ride again. Be sure to check the transom and stringers for soft wood and utilize the boat restoration forum for any fiberglass repairs you run into.​

 

[DarkeMaster]

Re: Need Steering/Control Help badly !!! (Refurbished Boat)

Thanks Studlymandingo for the info. I am fairly experienced with PB's on the lakes having grown up in Missouri and having a father and grandfather who loved to fish who also both owned boats. I also own an 18ft Searay openbow (inboard) that I use for taking my wife and kids skiing on the lakes here. My sea experience is another thing. Mostly, I have chartered small boats down in Mexico, but only a few times. However, You read my mind about calm day trips....The advice is very sound. I have been out on the ocean down by Mazatlan in boats as small as 16ft (Aluminum). However, I intend to spend some time on her in the Delta before venturing out into blue water with her.

Surprisingly, what kinda concerned me is that the boat's looks are deceiving, she is actually really light. She is a modeled fiberglass hull (pretty thick) and deck with very little wood to be concerned with. The transom, hull, Stringers, Deck and all attachments are sound and in perfect condition. I have never heard of Mariah before and I was very impressed by the design and look of look of the old girl when I found her. The funny thing is that she is a 1960 model and that is the year I was born also. She is as old as I am and apparently in better physical shape...

Thanks again for the info. I will look into the controls on eBay....

Anyone else ???

 

[QC]

Re: Need Steering/Control Help badly !!! (Refurbished Boat)

Mariah went bankrupt a few years ago and are now built by Seafox

"With 50 years of boat-building experience and runabout knowledge, Mariah boats are built one at a time to give its customers a better boating experience for less money."

Mariah Boats

 

[DarkeMaster]

Re: Need Steering/Control Help badly !!! (Refurbished Boat)

Thanks for the info, I did not know that. I had never even heard of Mariah before. I have surmised that they were a fairly small builder. From what I have seen on my boat they do pretty strong/good builds. I Googled them and they seem to make a few commercial lines even today. I did not know about Seafox. I sent them an email with a pic of my boat to see if they could provide me with correct year of manufacture and make/model info. I hope they can.

Just yesterday, I got my motor running for the first time (took two motors to make one good one) and I am jazzed to be able to take her out as soon as possible.

I built an ignition (12-gauge) wiring harness from scratch (properly color coded) that works like a charm with my new 6-point marine ignition switch. I also converted the motor from an electronic Magnapower I type (that parts are no longer available for) to a standard Battery start (No small achievment). I kept going out last night and refilling my water barrel (it has a hole in it and leaks water out), submerging the motor and starting it up just to watch it run (The motor and another one like it have been sitting in my yard for over a year).

It really feels like a great accomplishment to get a motor fixed on your own when you have never done anything like it before. I am insufferably proud of myself right now. Between the two motors, I have about $400.00 invested in purchase and parts. I did not think that was a bad price for a strong running Chrysler 55HP motor and the ability to show my wife that the money I spent on the boat/trailer ($250) and the motors ($150 and $100 dollars respectively) was not wasted on worthless junk was very gratifying as well. She was speechless when I fired it up.

The whole reason I started this project in the first place was because she won't let me take her $22,000 Searay openbow in saltwater to go fishing. I told her fine, then I'll build my own boat just for ocean fishing and she could keep her stupid old useless Ski boat. Her reply was "Sure, like that's gonna ever happen". Today, I proudly stand before you as a man who is one step closer to making his doubting wife eat a lot of &@%# and man that feels good after all the grief she has given me over it.

I have an old set of dual controls (cable throttle/shift) from an Evinrude (don't know from what year/model) that I forgot I had. I re-found them when I was looking in my shop for some other parts and they seem pretty straight forward. I wonder if they can be converted to work on my 1975 Chrysler 55HP motor. I don't even know if the cables are long enough, too long or what, but I hope to try them out today and see.

For the life of me though, I cannot figure out what type of steering to get. I can't seem to mentally capture the concept of how a modern steering system would connect on my boat? Somehow I just can't visualize how it works...The only connection point I have on the motor is just three bolt holes on the front. I was thinking it would take a cable system of some kind to turn the motor. I really don't want to use a cable and pulley system. I also don't want to buy the wrong thing at $170.00 a pop so I need to find someplace with a graphic representation that shows me the detailed mechanics. Does anyone know a place like that?

I also want to say thank you to everyone here for their moral and tutorial support. This forum is the bomb !!!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need Steering/Control Help badly !!! (Refurbished Boat)

the best system for the money will the the telefex, no feed back system. and is one of the easiest to install. the system will come with the helm & cable, some packages also have the steering wheel. the 90 degree helm will work very well on that boat. you will also need the transom mount bracket to hold the cable, and the engine connection that fits the chrysler motor. here's some links to info on the steering, and they can be bought right here at the iboats store. there are also instruction on how to measure for the cable length.
http://www.teleflexmarine.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?site=steering&type=us&product=1085
http://www.teleflexmarine.com/cgi-bin/library.cgi?site=steering&type=us&library=1018

by the way super cool boat, at a great price. i did love to find one like that. nothing better to take and old hag and make her presentable. scrubb her down with comet cleaner, then get the wax and buffer out, and make her shine. you'll be surprized. be very careful in open water as with the 55hp she is not going to be a speed demon, don't get caught with trailing waves you can't out run. i'd love to put my 88spl on her.

 

[F_R]

Re: Need Steering/Control Help badly !!! (Refurbished Boat)

Not being familiar with Chrysler, lemme ask a question: Where yuor motor tilts, is the hinge pin a bolt or is it a hollow tube? If it's a hollow tube, you got it made. The steering cable goes through it and a drag link returns from the end of the cable bact to the tiller arm on the motor.

However, if it is a bolt, you have to use either a transom mount support tube or a splashwell mount support tube and motor connection kit.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need Steering/Control Help badly !!! (Refurbished Boat)

this is what FR was talking about, this is a tilt tube installation.

 

[DarkeMaster]

Re: Need Steering/Control Help badly !!! (Refurbished Boat)

Thanks for all the great input. Yeah, I know she won't be a speed demon but thankfully here in Northern California (especially Half Moon Bay/ Santa Cruz) near where I live and where I plan to launch from, we have fairly calm seas (at certain times of the year), Great fishing and a lot of protected marinas to launch from. I won't be taking any big chances with her or going out on rough days...

Just so everyone understands more thoroughly, here are some pics to outline my predicament..

I think with all of your input, I now am getting an understanding of what I need to have to make her work. Looks like I need a Transom Mount Support tube, the steering system and Motor connection kit to make this happen.

What about the Evinrude Throttle /Shift controls ? Do you think I can use them? Here are pics..


The Controls

The Control Cable ends

Motor Connection Points

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need Steering/Control Help badly !!! (Refurbished Boat)

evinrude control won't work the distance of the throw is wrong. i had to go back and search out this thread. i was on ebay looking for myself, when i came across a Chrysler controler for you, you will have to get cables which should be available. but you need this and there is only one. Ebay #28011910682

 

[DarkeMaster]

Re: Need Steering/Control Help badly !!! (Refurbished Boat)

I went to eBay and made the bid..Thanks Tashasdaddy...I really appreciate it..

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Need Steering/Control Help badly !!! (Refurbished Boat)

That's why everybody loves him..... Always lookin' out!!!​