Please explain this to me.

[edwardz71]

Hey guys new here, have a question that I cant seem to find the answer too.
My boat is a 1986 Hydra Sport 17.5' bass boat, x-270. I been reading of horror stories of steering cables breaking and causing pretty bad accidents. My question is my boat has the telefle safe t steering system, what exactly does that word "safety" mean? Does it mean if the cable breaks it will stay center? It might be a dumb question but Im just trying to figure this out. Got 2 kids that love fishing more than anything and pray nothing ever happens while their on the boat.



Thanks Guys and sorry if a stupid question

Edward

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Please explain this to me.

Hi. Don't worry - no such thing as a stupid question ! I didn't know the answer either so looked it up. I believe the Safe T is just a registered trademark - doesn't mean anything. A cable is a cable so best thing is to check them often and at first sign of trouble change them.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Please explain this to me.

Ed, Steering cables normally get too stiff to use, before they break.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Please explain this to me.

I been reading of horror stories of steering cables breaking and causing pretty bad accidents. My question is my boat has the telefle safe t steering system, what exactly does that word "safety" mean? Does it mean if the cable breaks it will stay center?

Most steering systems require cables to connect the motor to the steering wheel, but are a single cable, inside a sleeve that moves in & out of the sleeve to make turns.

I suspect that the horror stories you're reading about breaking steering cables are the typical vintage cable & pulley steering systems, and as Chris mentioned, it's much more likely for 'modern' steering cables to become stiff inside the outer sleeve & stop working way before they break.

I don't know if the cable & pulley system was still being used as a primary steering system on any boats made in the last 30yrs. Perhaps it was, most likely not. In good working order & regularly inspected for cable fatigue & damage, they can be a good steering system:

Your 1986 Hydra doesn't have this ^^^ type of steering system, correct?

Boats demand diligent attention to primary systems & general maintenance to be operated safely. Regularly inspect the boat, motor & trailer and your Hydra can provide many more years of reliable service if you have solved the water in the bilge problem from another thread. Be sure to do a thorough inspection looking for damage the leaking water may have caused if it's been leaking for a while, or the previous owner left it poorly protected from the weather when it wasn't in use.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Please explain this to me.

I been reading of horror stories of steering cables breaking and causing pretty bad accidents.

Hmmm... I haven't really seen anything like that in at least the past 10 years. I'd say that it's pretty uncommon with any of the steering cables made in the past 20 or 30 years unless something has been neglected.

IMO, just follow all manufacturers recommendations for lubrication, use your safety kill switch lanyard, and when you're running at any kind of speed keep a hand on the throttle ready to slow down for any kind of problem (most often that's going to be debris in the water, wakes, etc. ect. ect.). I prefer a HotFoot for going fast so that I can keep both hands on the wheel.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Please explain this to me.

Those cable and pully systems were last used in the 60s, and for lower power boats, say 75HP and less. They are a bit dicey for 75HP motors, but OK for 50HP and less. They have more points of failure, so require more inspection.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Please explain this to me.

^^^ agreed....

 

[Ned L]

Re: Please explain this to me.

Well said jbcurt & Chris.........

 

[edwardz71]

Re: Please explain this to me.

Thanks guys, Made me feel better with kids and all. Yeah I fixed the leak, it was coming from around the seal that holds the two halves together, rail guard I think it's called. The steering feels great on it right now, no tight spots, turns end to end very smoothly.




And no my cable system looks nothing like that.