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View Full Version : Replacing helm unit & steering cable

phatdaddy
01-03-2009, 06:48 PM
it seems that gofish's problem is contagious. haven't ran the boat in 3 weeks and finally get a chance with christmas gone and all the new years stuff over with, launched at the ramp and started idling away and "ping" no steering. loaded up and got it back to the house and started tear down.

http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo214/gls216/DSCF0401.jpg

this is the area i have to work in, i know some of ya'll pull the engine, but i don't need to, i just remove the rod box and pull the slack out on the deck

http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo214/gls216/DSCF0402.jpg

i went ahead and pulled the helm, but the cable failed, the ss rod broke off of the end of the cable,


http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo214/gls216/DSCF0405.jpg

while i'm at it , gonna change the throttle & gear cable also. 15 years old and the housing is starting to split.


http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo214/gls216/DSCF0407.jpg

sure dosen't take long to trash a boat......
gofish
01-03-2009, 09:07 PM
Phatdaddy

Sorry to hear about your steering. At least you were close to the landing!!

I see now why you don't have to move your motor, either your tilt tube is more forward than mine is or your cable hole is farther back. It definitely looks like it lines up alot better than mine.
Good luck w/ the install. I know what you mean about trashing up a boat with a quickness.

BTW, I'm still waiting on my helm and cable to come in. The place I ordered it from was closed for the holidays. I hope to take some pics and post them up when I'm done.
csvencer
01-16-2009, 04:06 PM
What length cable did you need to replace it with? I am going to replace mine when I put on the new yamaha.

-Svence
gofish
01-16-2009, 04:36 PM
What length cable did you need to replace it with? I am going to replace mine when I put on the new yamaha.

-Svence

I used a 17' cable, that's what was already in it. I would think anything longer would be too long.
overboard
01-19-2009, 02:03 PM
Just be glad it happened close to the dock. I had the same experience a few years back, but I was 12 miles out getting ready to fish a reef for some salmon. It was interesting to say the least getting back in. We made it by duct taping an oar to the motor cover and I had a buddy drive while I steered from the middle of the boat. It must have been quite the sight, but it worked.