1990 Ski nautique problem

I’ve seen some no/name rotary helms in mid/late 90s Malibus. Easily replaced with modern Sea Star rotary helm & cables. I believe Sea Star bought out Teleflex.

Looked again and the pic fooled me... i think it’s a big-t after all. I have a spare in the basement. If you end up needing one, pm me.

I’ve heard that the r&p may not fit in the 90-93 dash, but I haven’t confirmed that myself. Fitting ram end of the cable down the conduit sure isn’t fun (the rotary helm end is much easier). I would also ask about steering wheel interchangeability (yours takes a 3/4” taper).

Wow this is really getting complicated.... would
I be best served by used looking for the direct replacement?

I tried to search but couldn't find out why the years 82 to 90 need a special longer cable than other years. Is the arm on the rudder different or is the helmdifferent or is there some other reason
Thanks

Longer throw increases steering travel and therefore maneuverability.

This plan will be a waste of time, IMO.

The correct cable is expensive but you won't have to replace it twice.

I’m still waiting on nautique parts to get back to me.. wondering if I should just order the steering cable and the helm and just take care of both in one shot.. I’m not sure which helm part I need ... I don’t think the steering wheel tilts on my boat../

And just to be sure.. the steering wheel should have a hard “stop” at the end range of motion for the rudder both to the right and left?
Currently mine only has a stop when turned to the left..

Bri892001 wrote: D.) The possibility that your existing helm is not broken. You keep your helm and just buy the cable for that helm. You'll have to take the helm apart and see.

My thought as well. Plus 1 From the description of what's going on, I have a feeling the helm end of the cable is chewed up but disassembly will tell.

Thanks all.. i got called back to work this week so my mission tomorrow afternoon or saturday is to take it apart .. I’ll take some pics and report back.

Cyclone wrote: So if I take the complete steering system out of a 70's Southwind with a normal throw cable and it's associated steering tube or clamp block tube or whatever it's called and want to use it in an 86 SN project boat, it should steer like a 70's setup? A 70's setup seems to have a good turning radius to me. This is all free stuff and the cable is practically new so it's a lot cheaper than a CC long throw cable is why I am asking.

Cyclone

You should probably start your own separate thread on this and you might get all kinds of opinions.

I figure if you use the short throw cable and the short tube, you'll have decent steering like a 70's boat, as you mentioned but won't have quite the sharpness of the original 86 setup.
Probably only noticeable at slow speeds like docking etc

If you use the short throw cable and the longer tube like in the 86, then you drastically affect the throw of the rudder. That's what many people have done and had problems with and then bought the expensive cable.

If it's all free especially with a practically new cable and it''s a project, you could install it and see how far the rudder turns in each direction as compared to what's there now and decide for yourself.

Kinda makes you wonder why they felt the need to make the rudder turn sharper in the 80's

Keno I don't think I need to start a new thread, I did a test fit today and it looks like it will work for me. There seems to be plenty of rudder movement. It will be a while till it's water ready but I'll be aware and cautious when first giving it test runs. Like I said the steering cable is practically new and I didn't have the original parts anyways in this project boat.
Thanks for the helpful input about tube sizes to go with cable. The cable and tube worked good in the previous boat so I think I'm OK here with the same setup in this boat.
Thanks

Cyclone wrote: Keno I don't think I need to start a new thread, I did a test fit today and it looks like it will work for me. There seems to be plenty of rudder movement. It will be a while till it's water ready but I'll be aware and cautious when first giving it test runs. Like I said the steering cable is practically new and I didn't have the original parts anyways in this project boat. Thanks for the helpful input about tube sizes to go with cable. The cable and tube worked good in the previous boat so I think I'm OK here with the same setup in this boat. Thanks

Good luck with it, I don't think you'll have a problem, other than slightly less rudder travel.

Somebody here on CCF has a 79 BFN that he put the longer cable in with the longer tube

He ran into problems with a short original tube and the new longer cable and had to find the longer tube to match the cable.

Maybe he can tell you how much difference he saw.

I think his initials are TRB

Planet nautique got back to me and thought it was my steering cable not the helm based off a detailed description. They have not got back to me about the potential to convert to a different type of steering system.
A closer look under the dash showed that the steering cable did not move through the travel tube at all as I turned the wheel. Also, the rudder will turn fully when I turn the wheel to the left. Turning the wheel right the rudder stops moving at about half as far as it goes when turned left..
I’m pretty sure this confirms the break is in the cable so I’m going to order a new one today.

It takes like 10 minutes to spin the cable out of the helm and you’ll know if it’s broken or not. It’s literally 1 nut.

Cyclone wrote: Keno I just wanted to say thank you about the cable and tube info. The boat steers well on the water with the older short throw cable setup. Like you said it may have less angle than the longer setup but it works for me. I still havemany things to finish but it runs and steers good on its first run on the lake. I'm happy

Glad it worked out for you nice and cheaply, now back to Andrew's problem