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Steering help please

R

Robert in TN

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"I want to start by saying tha

"I want to start by saying thank you to all the dedicated helpers on this site. About 4 months ago I bought a 1971 Aqua lark with a 40 horse johnson. It was in rough shape but with alot of TLC and money i think I have restored it back to a fun little toy. This is my third boat but the first one I've put so much time and TLC in. With this sites help and a cd manual I have repaired everything from the spine and floor to my forward and pinion gear,starter and wires. Well I have one more problem and this ones going to be ready for next summer. I now have the old style Plastic wire steering and it needs to be restrung. I have tried and for some reason i just cant figure out what the correct way to run this wire around the back of my steering wheel. I had it right once but i replaced a pully and now i need to restring it again and cant remember how. Can anyone help??? Please. I also read that i can replace this old steering with a hard steering which is a lot safer and newer. How much does this usually cost and is there a good place to buy it? Thanks again for all the help. I'm always trying to pass it on in life. Here's a link to some pictures of my boat when i started and when I finished.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/tnhero27/album?.dir=/576escd"
 
"Robert,
Nice job on the rest

"Robert,
Nice job on the resto.

The one cable system is the way to go. On you're boat I'd thing you would need to run the cable to the left of the helm and down the port side.

Looking at how little room you have I doubt you could get the cable to make the sharp bend it would need to go to the right side of the boat.

With a little work and after seeing the work you have done I'm sure you can make it work.

The hardest part will be making a retainer mount for the cable at the rear of the boat.

Again nice job and good luck."
 
"Fantastic job on the restorat

"Fantastic job on the restoration! Much like you, I just read up, dove in, and restored my boat a few years ago. Yes it's a lot work, but the finished product (if they are ever truly finished) is worth the effort.

Myself I would ditch the old cable and pulley system and get a Teleflex NFB (No Feedback) steering system. Unless there is some historic/antique reason for keeping the pulley system, I'd go with the modern steering. The NFB system is nice because it holds the steering wheel position which means that torque from the engine or the engine hitting an object will not turn the steering wheel. This is really a very nice safety feature.

Here is one from Overton's:
http://www.overtons.com/modperl/overtons/detail/pdetail2.cgi?r=detail_view&item_ num=22786&fcat=

This particular model is nice because the helm uses a rotary system which is nice for compact areas like your dash. You might be able to sqeeze in a rack type but that might be difficult.

Is there a hole in your tilt tube where a steering cable would run? Picture #6 in your album seems to make it look that way. If not, you'll need to manufacture some kind of bracket that will secure the cable in front of the motor.

KJ"
 
"You need a splashwell steerin

"You need a splashwell steering kit. (teleflex) available at west marine, and I'm sure lots of other places. cool little boat. looks like fun."
 
Hey guys thanks for the props

Hey guys thanks for the props on my little fun ship. Get it ? Props...that's some boat humor for ya. Well I've taken a couple days to do some research using the info and advice yall gave and I think I'm going to keep her dry docked for the rest of our pretty days this year and work on getting and installing an up to date steering. I'm not sure which one yet but I'm sure yall have gave me the best product to use so I'll probably just start shopping around. Ive got a couple other things to do also like reinstall the stereo antenna that hit the water(thought to be a stick at the time)due to me making my hole a little to big the first time. Oh well trial and error. To make a long story short I'm going to make sure she's ready for our first warm day next year. Thanks again for letting me use this great site and for all the very helpful information. I'll keep an eye out on the site and pass on the help when I can. I hope everyone has a great Holiday season. Best wishes from TN.
 
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