I have removed the current steering helm (ultraflex planetary) and cable (Ultraflex)
The steering helm has a bit of side to side play. The cable....I cannot push it by hand and to me is as stiff as a squirrel's tail in a freezer.
I can only assume the kit is old and my best bet to play safe is to buy new especially as I am going to need a longer steering cable for the centre console relocation.
So, thinking of opting for the Teleflex/seastar NFB safe-t 11 rotary set up for use on my 4.5/ 60hp Humber.
Any advice before I take the financial plunge would be appreciated.
The cable steering will be fine for your 60 and probably as good as the hydraulic I know many prefer hydraulic but it's usually more turns lock to lock and just as much to go wrong if not more in terms of leaks and air locks rams corroding & pipes getting damaged for 3 Times the price there's many cable steering systems still going strong 30 years on
My opinion for sub 100hp ish then I'd go cable
Current boat is the first hydraulic steering I've had, very light, no feedback and no more turns lock to lock than cable. I wouldn't go back.
The cable was great with power steering in my past inboards but my last boat 5.2mtr Rib 75hp OB and every other cable steered boat I've owned or driven has been "heavy" compared with the hydraulic.
I can see three times the price is an issue and the cable system will do the job, but hydraulic is infinitely better. Don't know if it'll be anymore reliable long term but it's what most commercial boats use.
breezy
