Steering cable question
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: Anything Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=49113
Printed Date: March-04-2025 at 9:32pm
Topic: Steering cable question
Posted By: DockDoc
Subject: Steering cable question
Date Posted: August-19-2020 at 6:55pm
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For my 93 sport. Steering has been pretty stiff. I don’t know when the cable was last replaced (at least not in the last two years...) so figured it was worth a shot. Nautique parts says S2205 is the original, but that the new cable 90590 is better and lasts longer. However, needs a new helm... unless someone has previously upgraded it. I followed their advice and took measurements of the bolt spacing on my helm and it matches up with the upgraded helm for the 90590. So my assumption is the PO upgraded the helm and steering cable... So if that’s the case is it still worth replacing? The upgraded 90590 cable is supposed to last a long time right? I don’t know how long it’s been in there - any idea when they started making them? ------------- 1993 Sport Nautique PCM 351w, no ProTec |
Replies:
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: August-19-2020 at 8:46pm
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The new cable showed up on CC's around 1998 so it's been around a while. You should probably verify whether the cable is the problem or maybe the helm itself is the problem or maybe the rudder/rudder port is the problem. You'll get all kinds of answers about cable life and people saying things like "they don't make em' like they used to"
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Posted By: DockDoc
Date Posted: August-19-2020 at 9:10pm
Been reading up on it... Rudder alignment looks roughly good to me. The wheel spins pretty easily at low speeds, but gets really stiff at speed - 2 hands. I'm going to pull the rudder and regrease / repack anyway. ------------- 1993 Sport Nautique PCM 351w, no ProTec |
KENO wrote:Posted By: Jonny Quest
Date Posted: August-19-2020 at 10:02pm
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With a dry bilge, a cable can last 10+ years. When it was time to change out the cable on my 1994 Ski Nautique, I went with the new helm and new style cable. I really loved the results. I went from super stiff 2-handed turns to 1-finger wheel spins. JQ ------------- Current 2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited Previous 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow 1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow Aqua skiing, ergo sum |
Posted By: DockDoc
Date Posted: August-19-2020 at 10:08pm
How long ago was that? Bilge is kept dry under my care... but I have no idea about before I bought it. ------------- 1993 Sport Nautique PCM 351w, no ProTec |
Posted By: Jonny Quest
Date Posted: August-19-2020 at 10:23pm
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The P.O. of my 1994 Ski was a believer in the "deferred maintenance" plan. When I got the boat, there were lots of little things to sort out -- the wet bilge was one. The bilge took on water fairly quickly and the automatic bilge pump got a good workout every ski session. When I took over, I repacked the stuffing on the drive shaft and that helped slow down the water, but the real problem was the rudder shaft where much of the water intrusion was sourced. In the 1994, the fuel tank had a built-in sump that made it impossible to get to the rudder port assembly without removing the tank. After a fuel sending unit failure and living with a wet bilge for several years, I finally pulled the tank. I replaced the rudder shaft packing and properly tightened the gland nut. Bingo. Dry bilge. While the tank was out, I changed out the steering cable and helm. I really can't say how long the cable was in a wet-bilge environment as the P.O. never mentioned anything about the steering cables. I'm guessing at least 4-5 years of wet bilge messed up the cables. JQ ------------- Current 2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited Previous 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow 1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow Aqua skiing, ergo sum |
Posted By: AAM196
Date Posted: August-19-2020 at 11:55pm
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Check rudder play.. repack and eliminate any unacceptable play. Mine had a little play and when under load, steering tightened up in certain spots. Once at plaining speed it went away. Ultimately, what fixed it was repacking rudder... it needed an extra wrap. Good luck! Once you sort the issue, driving boat is such a joy! |
Posted By: DockDoc
Date Posted: August-29-2020 at 9:44am
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Update on this - I replaced the steering cable and regressed the rudder log (zirk fitting) and boat turns with my pinky finger. Should have done this a while ago! Pretty sure the cable was the culprit. No change with the tiller arm disconnected. What I thought was effortless with the old cable was about 10x harder than with the new one. ------------- 1993 Sport Nautique PCM 351w, no ProTec |