[JUST JOHN]

Thank you for your detailed feedback Capt Terry!

You need to know how they are defining how to measure the length'

Yes, this is something I though of while measuring. Good point, I'll call him back before ordering.
EDIT: found the below pic.

I liked the NFB because I didn.t have to fight the steering torque and the boat would still go straight if I temporarily let go of the wheel.'

This is something I'm really looking forward to. The boat has been this way for so long that it was just "the norm" to muscle the wheel. I'm exciting to think it will be a smoother operation, more of a pleasure to drive, and handle better as a result.

I could see, depending on your routing how that startboard corner could easily add an extra foot to keep it out of the way. Mine has a gentle curve there, over my oil tank :/ ...

I believe I'll remove/install just as you describe. The SeaStar rep said to tie a line to the end of the old cable before removing so you could then tie it to the new cable to pull through for assembly. I think this will just complicate things, as installation seems pretty open and easy. On a related note, there is quite a bit of slack in the existing cable along the gunnel.

Thanks again!