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

[Capt Terry]

Originally Posted by JUST JOHN

I don't see a length marking on my cable anywhere, but I measured a bunch of times and come up with 14'. Sound correct?

See the following, my installed cable is 15', during one of my replacements I may have added a foot because it was tight getting around the starboard corner. You need to know how they are defining how to measure the length'

I converted to the Teleflex non-feedback steering a number of years ago on my '76 20’ Seafari with a Merc 150 HP V-6. A few years later switched to a ETEC 150HO. 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. I did have a helm failure a last year in a rather gentle turn just a little faster than plane speed; glad it didn’t happen to my wife when I was at footing or slalom speeds! At that time I briefly considered going hydraulic, but with guests coming, wanted to get back in operation quickly with P/Ns that I knew would work. The hydraulic systems I have driven seem too much like power steering. Here is what my Marine Parts Source invoice shows for Seastar:

TF-SSC6215 (15 foot), Safe-T OC Steering Cable $86
TF-SH4910P Helm Only NFB4 $109

Removal and installation of the cable went a little smoother last time. I think what I did for removal was extract the entire cable aft through the hole just in front of the transom so I wasn’t trying to pull the aft, metallic end around the corner and through the hole in the strbd panel under the gunnel. Then I reversed the process for installation. About 35 years ago I replaced the original gunnel bolsters with 3/8” teak I was able to leave the teak in place for the steering cable removal/install.

Best wishes