Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by e_digg on 08/25/11 - 10:20 AM

I am installing the new interior in my 1966 13' Sport and the steering wheel was very difficult to remove from the hub. The PO already bashed the top of the hub that goes through the wheel & I only made it worse. The steering was very tight with it being in the elements unprotected for over 20 or more years. Is there a way to restore the hub or is there a source for new hubs? I want to keep the cable steering and the old wheel that I have.

Thanks
Ed

Edited by Joe Kriz on 04/14/14 - 11:50 AM

Posted by e_digg on 08/29/11 - 7:16 AM

After some research I have found the following: http://www.tendercraftboats.com/catalogue_fittings.pdf (page 36). Looks to be made out of plastic.
Another is http://www.osculati.com/cat/Scheda.aspx?id=3232

Waiting to hear back from both of them.

If you know of any other source or have additional info, please let me know.

Thanks
Ed

Posted by bholtermann on 10/02/11 - 8:18 AM

The whaler uses a teleflex steering mechanism that can be replaced. The hub piece in your wheel is part of it. Tough steering may be from a stuck cable, moisture gets in from use and it rusts together. There is a pin to release the cable from the housing (you push a ring down with more clearance for the cable end to release) and you turn the wheel to back the cabel out.

With the nut inside the wheel. I think a spark plug wrench is about the right size and many are nylon inside nuts. Once the nut is free, put it back on and then support the wheel and tap on the post with the nut to protect the threads to try to free the wheel (use a piece of wood in between, do not directly hit with the hammer). Some anti-lock lubricant sitting for a while may help too. There is a keyway and a half round on the side of the post below the nut. As the post is in an aluminum housing go easy.

Posted by Mike-Conover on 10/02/11 - 11:23 AM

I've replaced that cable on my Montauk. In my case. the outer shell surrounding the cable split where the Teleflex curved to go across the stern to the motor. The split allowed the inner cable to come out of the outer shell and steering became very difficult.

It wasn't terribly difficult to remove or replace the entire Teleflex cable with a new one. The removal, steering wheel hook up, etc. were not very difficult to figure out. The hardest part wsas making the bend at the stern to re-connect to the motor.

Good luck.... its very do-able

Posted by kamie on 10/02/11 - 11:49 AM

A couple of notes,
1. Ed has a 13 footer which has cable & pulley steering, not teleflex
2. This thread is a month old. Hopefully Ed has his new hub and it's on the boat and working well.

Posted by e_digg on 10/02/11 - 3:27 PM

Kamie is correct in the first part. It is a cable and pulley setup and I prefer to keep it that way.

The second part is however not going so well. I have not had any luck sourcing the hub. I emailed back and forth with Osculati who is the manufacturer in Italy but they cannot tell me who they sell it to. Some people could sell it but I would have to purchase more than one.

I ended up going with the one from tendercraftboats.com. I ordered it over a week ago but they needed to include that item with their next purchase from overseas. I should be getting it in a few more weeks. In all the part + shipping should come to $80-$90. I held out on this one because it is all made from Nylon. I wanted to try and source an exact from what Whaler used. I will let you know how it "turns" out.

BTW Kamie, I bought a big box of SS screws from West Marine for the new interior and I will have plenty left over. They are phillips and not slotted. If you need any, just let me know.

Thanks
Ed

Posted by e_digg on 11/01/11 - 9:50 AM

With the exchange rate + shipping the total came to $94 and some change. It came in the mail yesterday and it appears that it will work perfectly. It is a shame that it is nylon instead of metal but you don't see the underneath part anyway. The collar that is angled between the wheel and the console is made out of nylon or PVC but anyway I got the white one. I would have like chrome better but again beggars can't be choosers. I will post some pics later of the part and after I get it installed.

Posted by e_digg on 04/14/14 - 10:30 AM

After 2 years I am ditching the cable & pulley setup. I constantly came undone and the bezel under the wheel was plastic kept coming loose. I am switching to the Teleflex system for ease and safety for the kids.