Steering system .Order new cables or new system.

[w2much]

Another project boat being refurbished. The boat is a 22.2 Aquasport which has been sitting for years and the steering cables are shot. The Morse helm uses two rack style cables which I have found after a lot of searching are quite pricey and I need both. Or do I ? The cables would be Morse Command (?) 300620 or Teleflex 130?? SSC130. I am uncertain of the length at this timeThe boat came with a 1979 200HP 2 stroke Mercury outboard. Which I think was connected to the steering sytem before I saw the boat. I am not sure if I will use the Mercury or my 1995 150HP Evinrude Ocean runner.
WHat I hope to find here is a bit of guidance. Cables for the old system would run about $500. from the info I have gathered. Is there a sytem , cable, helm and hardware inclusive which may be used for less money. My other boat a Striper 21 footer uses the NFB Teleflex system. It seems to be fine. I am not going hydraulic as it is cost prohibitive to me. Is it possible to use the existing helm with only 1 cable. ?? Would the NFB system be overpowered by a 200hp ?
Dont be shy. Share your experience and or knowledge with me. I am 66 and do not need my fingers cramping up trying to correct my direction. I appreciate and look forward to your replies .

 

[Chris1956]

I run a single cable NFB on my 21 footer with a 150HP Ocean runner. I would think that Merc 200 would work as well.

Is that Merc a 2.0L motor? If so, you might consider the Evinrude as it is a 2.5L motor which I would think will have more bottom end.

 

[w2much]

Thanks. The Striper with the 150 also has the NFB rotary which I installed some years back. I am OK with it for the money it cost. I have no problem with the cost of a new NFB sytem for the Aquasport. The system in the Striper is rated up to a 150HP. Might the same rotary NFB system with a higher horsepower rating perform better on this boat. ? Also I am wondering if a NFB rack system would perform better than a rotary NFB ?. Is the NFB rack and rotary performance about the same if compared on equal horse power engines.?

 

[Chris1956]

I have never compared the rotary to the rack. I do have one of each with the same HP, but on very different boats. I expect one style to fit better in the boat dashboard than the other.

Well, my 21' Seaswirl with the 150 Ocean Runner, is rated for 200HP. It had the one cable NFB Rotary system from the factory. I would expect that system was rated for 200HP. it appeared to be a standard unit, although I did not compare part numbers.

After a look on the 'net, Teleflex has been bought by SeaStar. Seastar does not mention HP limitations on it's standard steering cables.

 

[ahicks]

When talking 150+ hp, if you want to do it right, it should be hydraulic to my way of thinking. A little shopping might yield a used system, or if not maybe each end separately....

 

[dingbat]

Hydraulic systems have a tendency to leak in the cold. Think Challenger explosion. I’m still running the OE NFB system for just that reason

When running a cable system it’s important to keep moisture out of the steering tube the the rod properly cleaned and lubed.

Install a good quality rod wiper, with replaceable o-ring, and use a quality, water proof grease. I have found Yamaha Marine (blue) grease to be the best for this application.

 

[w2much]

Great replies and advice. I appreciate them. I will probably go with the NFB single cable. Reason being ease of installation and price. I can use a rack or rotary system as there is room for a rack . The boat ( Aquasport) had the older two cable Morse system or at least it came with one but the cables are bad. The Mercury 200 has two steering tubes the Ocean Runner 150 has one. I would love to install hydraulic. I even have the ram setup but the rest of the system cost as much as a NFB system complete. I am not even sure which motor to put on the Aquasport as it has a twenty inch intransom. The Ocean Runner 150 has a 25 inch shaft anf the Merc 200 20 inch shaft. Mercury for ease or Ocean Runner preference ? Then, jack plate or transom build up ? Perhaps another thread on this subject. Too many projects with too many options . Doing the work seems to be easier than making my decisions.

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, go with the correct length (Merc) motor on the aquasport. If it feels squirrely with the single cable NFB system, you can consider hydraulic, I think it will be fine, however.

My neighbor has a twin 225HP Outrage. He was going 50+MPH, and needed to turn his hydraulic steering wheel multiple turns to turn the motors. It had a bad leak or low fluid I guess. I was never so scared as that....

 

[ahicks]

A lot of the guys going hydraulic make that call due to the load placed on the wheel at speed, especially when trimmed. Prop torque on 150+hp has to be experienced to be believed! Hydraulic steering cancels that out.

 

[Chris1956]

Trimming and trim tabs also cancel out steering torque.

 

[dingbat]

Prop torque on 150+hp has to be experienced to be believed!

I get very little if any feedback from NFB helm.

Then again, I don't use trim to get out of the hole or adjust the bow. Set a neutral trim leaving the dock and typically don't touch it the rest of the day. Helm adjusted trims tabs take it from there.

 

[Chris1956]

Most smaller boats (<30ft) will benefit from trimming to get optimum speed or economy. For standard performance boats, setting the trim tab so steering is easy at usual trim level is the way to go, IMHO. She will pull right a bit when trimmed down, but as soon as you get on plane, hit the trim and she will steer easy.