Old guy old boat--52 Crestliner decked bow 12 ft steering rigging?

[440roadrunner]

Howdy from the N end of Idaho. Just bought an old 12 ft Crestliner, seems to be a "decked bow Commander" or possibly "Speedster" and someone has removed the steering, and installed a new dash piece. They also removed everything related except the cable guides. Can anyone supply a photo of the front two pulley blocks up under the dash? There are 2 or 3 holes "around there" and holding up a swivel eye pulley block, for "trial fit" it appears the cable would not fit in the designated hole through the dash brace.

I bought this little thing just to get out once in awhile. Have bought "a few" old outboards, all of which need work. Largest of them is a 57 Evinrude 35, an early 60's Sea King (OMC) 15, and a Johnson and an Evinrude 10, both about same vintage. Also have my father's old LT-37 Johnson "light twin" which like the rest, needs lower unit work and a carb cleaning. It runs!!!

 

[Texasmark]

There are newer, more reliable steering systems out there made for engines of the age. The units are rack and pinion under the dash and a single shielded cable runs down the starboard side of the boat to the transom where it has a "deadman" bolted to the transom to retain the outer sheath.

The center cable then extends over to the engine and in the case of OMC, a spring loaded adapter snaps int the center hole of the transporting handle.

I used cable and pulley systems back in the 50's but never liked them especially as the engines got larger, too easy to have one slip loose and have the engine slam to one side and toss you out of the boat. The cable mentioned above won't do that and is cleaner with better control.

Do a google on something like: single cable steering for vintage outboards.....type thing.

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard, Roadrunner.

A 12 foot boat with a low horsepower motor doesn't need rotary or rack and pinion steering. The wire rope won't unwind from the pulley to throw you out of the boat and is more precise than a single cable system.

My first question to you is - Do you have all the pieces?

Need the helm drum, minimum of 4 pulleys (2 per side), 2 springs and 1 motor connector. Oh, and a steering wheel.

The Starcraft in my sig is steered flawlessly with the dreaded and fatal rope and pulley steering. Never threw me out!

 

[Grub54891]

I have most of the cable steering pcs. I'll never use them but I could not bring myself to toss them. Steering wheel and drum included. MOD EDIT - Sorry.

 

[440roadrunner]

The problem I attempted to explain.......I have a couple of steering drum/ wheel assemblies, springs, hardware, pulley blocks. The problem seems to be that looking at the mounting holes up front, the pulleys must have been "solid" mounted to the hull. There is not much room up there and a swivel eye type pulley would stick out away from the hull so far as to allow the cable too far inboard for the factory holes, which are in the dash brackets on each side. I would guess these holes (which are not yet drilled through the new dash piece) are about 1" dia or a bit less.

What I'm hoping for is to run across someone with a like boat for a photo. I cannot figure out how to register at the retro Crestliner site, which seems to have little activity.

 

[440roadrunner]

It appears to me, judging from the mounting holes, that the front pulley blocks look something on this order

 

[Grub54891]

Ah I see, mine are different. I'd think you could find them pulleys in stainless or brass/bronze, so they don't rust.

 

[GA_Boater]

440 - What is the distance between the mounting holes in the hull for the pulley?

In your parts do have pulleys like this?

 

[440roadrunner]

Yes mine are out of a couple other junk boats, resemble what you pictured. The holes in the hull are too far apart for that type strap. The problem "as I see it" is that type pulley will allow the cable too far inboard to feed through the provided hole . I did not think it would be too hard LOL to find photos of the old girls.

 

[GA_Boater]

How far from the side of the hull are the guide holes in the dash bracket?

 

[Chris1956]

Why not use the tiller steering on those motors? Even the 35 Rude (which is likely too much power), can be converted to tiller steer.

 

[440roadrunner]

Simple---I'm 71 and have a lot of joint and back problems. I will need a seat with a back, "bucket seat" for lack of better, plus sitting a bit further forward will provide MUCH better trim. remember---this is a light aluminum boat, only 12ft, and the boat only weighs 150lb +/- There will likely be only myself and perhaps 1 other person.

Also, I have a couple of Morse type cables and could build a "side stick" joystick type thing, and might do that.

While I appreciate suggestions and comments, my question is quite simple...........I need a good clear photo of the factory original under-dash pulley set-up. I can build something, but don't want to drill more holes in the hull.