Steering Problem

[TRRANGER]

I have an 87 360V Ranger Single console 175 Mercury that is cable steering. Saturday had a rack/cable freeze up and am looking it to buying a Seastar Pro hydraulic steering system. I was wondering if it was worth the extra money to change or should I just repalce the cables and racks and go on. Any thoughts or input would be helpful. I have always driven cable steered boats and know little about the advantages or draw backs of upgrading. I am keeping the boat for quite some time so the extra money might be worth the investment. Thanks TR

[Ham]

I have the Seastar system on my Bass Cat. It's been just fine and dandy so far. Prior to this boat, I've had cable steer systems. I really can not tell any difference in how it feels for the driver between the two systems.

I hav my previous boat for 10 years. I did not have any issues as far as cables locking up. I know that it happens, but I would think you could change out the cables and get 10 or more years out of them. Cable replacement has to be a less expensive option than changing to the Sea Star system.

You might as a marine dealership the advantages of going with a Sea Star system vs going back with cabkes.

[fishinwrench]

Can the cables be replaced without pulling the motor? If so I would definitely just replace the cables.

If the motor has to be pulled then costwise you could go either way IF there is sufficient clearance in the splash well for hydraulics. Some of the older 70's-80's boats were rigged with the engine mounts flat on the transom, leaving no room to fully tilt the motor if hydraulics are installed. If you want to post a pic that shows the front of the motor and the splash well I can tell you for sure.

[TRRANGER]

I can change cables without pulling motor. My motor has a jackplate so it is not mounted direct to transom. A member of my club has the same hull ranger that I have and he has the Seastar system so I think it will clear. I just was wondering about longevity. This is the 2nd set of cables I have had to put in since I have had the boat.(2008). Is there advantages in handling or easy of steering with the hydraulic over cable less trouble. I fish all winter, boat is garage kept and has been all its life, I fish on average 3 weekends a month so the boat is not sitting. I am going to do the work myself either way just trying to spent wisely.

[Ham]

This is the 2nd set of cables I have had to put in since I have had the boat.(2008).

I guess I just got lucky then. I would have expected the cables to last a lot longer than 5 years.

[fishinwrench]

6 years is the average lifespan of rack cables AND of seals on hydraulic units.

Rotary helm NFB single cable systems usually last a couple years longer, but you can't use them on motors above 120hp

[slowbait]

I had a 95 Bass Cat for 15 years with cable steering. Had no problems for the last 14 of them then the cables got tight. The thing that I would do once a month is shoot WD40 threw the ends of the cables by the motor. I think this helped them last longer

[GNSfishing]

I had a 1983 350V Ranger which my son has now and the steering cables have never been changed. So with that longevity I would stay with cables because of cost of hydraulic verses replacement cables. My new boat has hydraulic and see no real advantage with hydraulic over cables. The one thing with hydraulic steering is the centering position of the steering wheel changes.

[Ham]

There really should be a fitting at both ends to lubricate those cables, but that wouod probably cut into the sales of replacement cables.

[fishinwrench]

It usually isn't the slide/tilt tube area that seizes. It is the two spots along the span where the cable makes 90° bends.