Replies

• Slough S.w. Ga./ St. JamesPosts: 5,735 Admiral

  March 2018 #2

  I would at least look at it. Take it loose from the helm, if cable is rusty, replace. Check your helm unit also. 

  I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you

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• Soda Popinski GrovelandPosts: 16,495 AG

  March 2018 #3

  Thanks.   Going to do this weekend.   Maybe just needs some grease or something.   

  You can't pet a dead dog back to life 

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• 1outlaw Naples FLPosts: 1,804 Captain

  March 2018 #4

  IMO lose the cables and upgrade to hydraulic. If your keeping the cables i know they make an attachment that allows you to grease them.
  

  Jason :USA

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• Soda Popinski GrovelandPosts: 16,495 AG

  March 2018 #5

  I'd love to, but the difference in cost is prohibitive right now.   We can swap cables for under $300 bucks, hydraulic is twice that at least.   

  You can't pet a dead dog back to life 

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• natecert Posts: 231 Deckhand

  March 2018 #6

  If you replace the cable consider replacing the helm with the no feed back type. Next best thing to hydraulic 

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• Salty Dawg44 Homosassa, FLPosts: 1,369 Officer

  March 2018 #7

  If the steering lets go while you are under way at speed, there will be nothing to prevent the motor from turning hard over. That's a great way to get thrown out of the boat. Find the problem and fix it. It will only get more dangerous if left alone.
  
  

  
  MY WORST FEAR......THAT WHEN I DIE MY WIFE WILL SELL ALL MY BOATS & FISHING GEAR FOR WHAT I TOLD HER I PAID FOR IT.......
  
  I may not always agree with what you say,
  but I will always respect your right to be wrong!

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• Soda Popinski GrovelandPosts: 16,495 AG

  March 2018 #8

  Salty Dawg44 said:

  If the steering lets go while you are under way at speed, there will be nothing to prevent the motor from turning hard over. That's a great way to get thrown out of the boat. Find the problem and fix it. It will only get more dangerous if left alone.
  
  

  Yeah...Sigh, i don't think i really want to risk that.   8 weeks til Marathon, i had almost everything on my punch list knocked out accept new spark plugs and a stern anchor for the sand bar.....    But the thought of one of my kids flying out isn't really something I can bear to think about.   Called Nobles, took measurements, it's a 14' cable, costs about 191 dollars, and i need to either find a tree somewhere or rent an engine hoist to get the motor off the transom so i can change the cable.   

  You can't pet a dead dog back to life 

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• Soda Popinski GrovelandPosts: 16,495 AG

  March 2018 #9

  and about 10 minutes ago I fired off an email to Key West just to confirm the steering cable length, figured I'd hear back from them this week sometime.   Ten....minutes.   Mike Marlow shot me an email back with the answer, and his phone number.   Holy hell customer service with them is as good as I've heard.    

  You can't pet a dead dog back to life 

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• Barrell Posts: 1,305 Officer

  March 2018 edited March 2018 #10

  natecert said:

  If you replace the cable consider replacing the helm with the no feed back type. Next best thing to hydraulic 

  
   Not even close. Cables are antiques. Anyone still using them has no idea how nice hydraulic steering is. $499 on ebay for Baystar steering system.
  

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• Alex from GA Posts: 1,691 Captain

  March 2018 #11

  You can use the tilt to lift the motor up off the transom  and, with help, slide it to the left.

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• Sea Snake Posts: 5,536 Admiral

  April 2018 #12

  Had the same problem, on a boat I had a while back....sticky one day, completely frozen up the next.....otherwise no indication they were going bad.
  
  Best bet is to  replace, and get the style that allows you to grease via a small zirc fitting...saw that briefly on ship shape tv the other day....
  
  I agree with those who say fix it, don't try to grease .....

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• CaptJ Posts: 1,658 Captain

  April 2018 #13

  All cables go bad eventually. Even the shift and throttle cables. Hydraulic steering is the way to go and lasts a long time.

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• Gary S Posts: 3,157 Captain

  April 2018 #14

  Alex from GA said:

  You can use the tilt to lift the motor up off the transom  and, with help, slide it to the left.

  floor jack is easier. Or you can drop the front of the boat with tongue jack, put a block between ground and lower unit, then jack front of boat up. Would be better if someone helped.

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• Soda Popinski GrovelandPosts: 16,495 AG

  April 2018 #15

  Seems kind of sketchy.    

  You can't pet a dead dog back to life 

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• Chongg Posts: 755 Officer

  April 2018 #16

  I also had to remove my motor when I changed my steering cable. You can rent a hoist from sunbelt equipment for around $75. 

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