What helm steering systems are you running? (20' Seafari)

[JUST JOHN]

Hi all,

So my steering started slipping last weekend. It skips in both directions in a repeatable spot, which I'm assuming has sheered a tooth within the mechanical rotary unit. Anyway, I dug in to see what exactly I have and it's an "old-style threaded" Teleflex (now SeaStar) SH5023 (now labelled as SH5023P).

I spoke to the SeaStar technical guru to confirm part numbers, recommendations etc, and he says that this unit was not recommended for my 20' with the "monster" Johnson 150 that's mounted. He recommended the 4.2 No Feedback model (SS147_ _ ...I need to confirm my cable length still, specified in the last two digits).

The replacement kit for what was mounted on my boat since 2004 (?), with new cable, is a SS137_ _... He was surprised I got that long out of it, and guessed that steering would be quite hard, turn when you let go of the wheel, and suffer from prop torque-steer... all of which I'd say are true

I'm planning on following his recommendation and "upgrade", but wanted to compare notes with CSC first to see what people with my boat, and similar motor, are using.

What is the correct cable length for a 20' Seafari? Apparently it is stamped on the helm-end cable jacket on my setup, which I'll look for tonight... and/or measure...

Thanks!!