Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: Steering cable installation question
Posted by wired911 on 09/18/13 - 1:45 PM
#1
I am replacing the helm on my 1987 Montauk 17 and when I attempt to feed the cable into the helm it goes all the way in, but doesn't lock. My question is are all steering cables compatible? Or am I just doing something wrong. The new helm is a SAFE-T quick connect helm.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Edited by Joe Kriz on 09/18/13 - 4:35 PM
Posted by Tom W Clark on 09/18/13 - 2:02 PM
#3
If you have a new Teleflex Safe-T QC (Quick Connect) helm, you should have a new QC cable as well.
You can retrofit a new QC steering cable to an old helm with the supplied adaptor, but not vice versa.
If you have both a QC helm and a QC cable, you need to insert the cotter pin to lock it.
Posted by Tom W Clark on 09/18/13 - 2:26 PM
#5
Yes, that is the converter you use to install a QC steering cable on an old helm. Every QC cable sold today comes with that converter.
I have never heard of a converter to make a non-QC steering cable work with a newer QC helm.
Posted by Joe Kriz on 09/18/13 - 3:17 PM
#6
So he is probably going to need a new cable then if he just bought a new helm only?
Posted by wired911 on 09/18/13 - 3:21 PM
#7
Wow! thanks for all the good info. I'll check out getting a new cable then.
Posted by wired911 on 09/18/13 - 3:30 PM
#8
Thanks for the correction on the make/model...I'm very new to the whole BW environment. Again thank you for all the wonderful information.
Posted by Finnegan on 09/18/13 - 4:59 PM
#9
Rather than buy the components separately at high cost, you should buy a complete kit. The surplusunlimited.com website that Joe recommended is an excellent source, with good pricing.
I would also consider using the newer no-feedback type design, either the 3.0 or 4.2 ratio. This is now almost universally installed by the boat builders, including BW which started using it in 1992. This eliminated steering pull, whereas the low end QC II will not.
Posted by Tom W Clark on 09/18/13 - 6:01 PM
#11
Yes, that is all good advice. It is usually cheaper to buy a kit than individual components.
From Teleflex, there are four different mechanical steering packages that would work with a Montauk. None of them are terribly expensive:
Safe-T QC, 3 turns lock-to-lock. Does not have non-feedback feature and is (essentially) what you probably have now
Part # SS13718, as low as $100
Safe-T II, 3 turns lock-to-lock with NFB clutch
Part # SS13218, as low as $172
Safe-T NFB 4.2, 4.2 turns lock-to-lock with NFB clutch
Part # SS14718, as low as $175
Xtreme NFB, 5 turns lock-to-lock with NFB clutch but with the Xtreme cable technology. Xtreme steering cables only work with Xtreme helms so you have to buy it as a package.
Part # SSX17618, as low as $236
Posted by Tom W Clark on 09/18/13 - 6:38 PM
#13
The Big-T is not sold as a package and is very expensive relative to the other choices; the helm alone costs almost as much as the Xtreme system.
The Big-T is a great helm, especially with the chrome bezel, but one really designed for bigger boats. That Whaler used it as OE in the 1970s speaks to the lengths they would go to offer nothing but the best.
I do not recommend it for this situation though.
Posted by Joe Kriz on 09/18/13 - 6:49 PM
#14
I haven't ever seen the Chrome bezel for that unit. Only the black.
Here is the parts list for members that may need just the parts and keep the original Big-T.
http://www.seastarsolutions.com/wp-co...rotary.pdf
I remember many years ago I purchased a new spent travel tube for my Big-T helm.
Posted by Joe Kriz on 09/18/13 - 7:01 PM
#16
Never seen it in replacement parts.
Guess I just missed it.
Chrome looks good but not sure I would want to keep that clean.
Posted by dbcollen on 09/19/13 - 9:00 AM
#17
it is actually easy to make a QC cable from a non QC cable. just push back the nut and remove the 2 half circle clips and remove the nut from the end of the cable and you have a qc cable. the locking pin rides in the groove previously occupied by the half circle clips. I had to do it on my boat, I had a QC and a non QC cable, they are identical except the nut/clips
Edited by dbcollen on 09/19/13 - 10:32 AM
Posted by Tom W Clark on 09/20/13 - 8:29 AM
#18
Excellent piece of information Dustin.
Posted by dbcollen on 09/20/13 - 9:03 AM
#19
And of course you can turn a qc into a non qc if you have an old non qc cable to borrow the nut/clips from.
Posted by jetajv on 09/20/13 - 8:19 PM
#20
Just a heads up on measuring the steering cable. Do it according to the replacements cable instructions. I misunderstood the "basic" instructions because I was in a hurry and ended up with a steering cable that protrude beyond the front of the center console where the cooler sits. It is not hard to make this mistake if you do not take a little time to learn how they are measured and ad the appropriate amount of inches.
After messing up I realized that my hurry to place an order led me to assuming the dimension I needed. I was off by about two feet.
My cooler now sits on the cable until I save some rat-hole money to chain the brand new cable.
I could be the only one to make this rookie mistake but as a member here I thought I should share
Posted by Tom W Clark on 09/20/13 - 10:08 PM
#21
As has been well documented here on Whaler Central, an 18' cable is appropriate for a Montauk, and what I recommend.
It is possible to use a 17' cable but the bend before the motor will be shorter and tighter.
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...icle_id=70
Posted by wired911 on 09/22/13 - 12:14 PM
#22
Thanks everyone great info for a beginner like myself. I did go and take a close look at the connector and it would appear to be the one Joe mentioned in an earlier response "
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I found an adapter kit if this is what you "might" need if you don't already have it.
http://www.surplusunlimited.com/mm5/m...de=2200-50"
Would it be possible for me to take a couple of photos and upload them to this site so you can take a look?
Posted by Joe Kriz on 09/22/13 - 12:18 PM
#23
wired,
Sure.
That is why we have the personal page section too.
Upload some photos of your boat while you are at it.
http://www.whalercentral.com/faq.php?...p?cat_id=1
Or,
upload your photos to photobucket or some other source and put a link to those photos here.
Edited by Joe Kriz on 09/22/13 - 12:28 PM
Posted by wired911 on 09/22/13 - 12:40 PM
#24
Thanks Joe, I just uploaded a couple of pix...take and look and let me know what you think.
thanks,
Posted by Joe Kriz on 09/22/13 - 12:49 PM
#25
That looks like the converter to convert the older helm.
http://www.surplusunlimited.com/mm5/m...de=2200-50
You say you have the newer helm, so you would need to take that adapter off and then the cable should go into your new helm.
Have you tried taking that adapter off and putting the cable into the new helm?
Posted by wired911 on 09/22/13 - 12:54 PM
#26
I have not, I wasn't aware that it could be removed. I'll run down and take a look and get back to you, but I believe its a part of the steering cable.
Posted by Joe Kriz on 09/22/13 - 1:27 PM
#27
Without seeing what you had, here is my guess.
You had an old helm.
Someone replaced the cable with a newer cable and had to use that adapter to make the newer cable work with the old helm.
Now, you purchased a new helm.
You no longer would need that adapter to go into an old helm because you have the newer style helm.
Again, just a guess but that's what it looks like to me.
Not sure if you have the clip though that goes into the new helm that holds the new cable in.
Did you get a new clip with the new helm?
Take a look at the installation instructions and you will see the clip you need with the TAG on it.
It states, Do Not Remove This Tag!
http://www.seastarsolutions.com/wp-co...t-Helm.pdf
Edited by Joe Kriz on 09/22/13 - 1:34 PM
Posted by Tom W Clark on 09/22/13 - 1:34 PM
#28
Joe is correct, that cable has the adaptor. Just pull the pin, remove the adapter and plug the cable directly into the helm and reinsert the pin. Done.
Posted by wired911 on 09/22/13 - 1:48 PM
#29
I attempted to do that but the adapter seems to be a part of the cable itself (unless there's a way to remove that I'm not seeing).
Do you know how to go about removing the adapter?
Posted by Tom W Clark on 09/22/13 - 1:51 PM
#30
Yes. Pull the pin, then insert the end of the pin in the hole in the side of the adapter, push down with it and pull the adapter off.
Posted by wired911 on 09/22/13 - 1:53 PM
#31
OK thanks, I'[ll run out and give that a shot...
Posted by Joe Kriz on 09/22/13 - 1:57 PM
#32
Looks like we are making progress.
Once you get the adapter off, you should be good to go if you have the clip with the tag on it.
Do you?
Posted by wired911 on 09/22/13 - 2:06 PM
#33
It worked! I can't believe I struggled with that for almost a week....without your help I was getting ready to throw in the towel.
Thanks again for your help. I hope to be able to contribute some day. For now I can get back into the water.
Posted by wired911 on 09/22/13 - 2:07 PM
#34
I did reinsert the pin with the tag on. good to go...thanks guys!
Posted by Joe Kriz on 09/22/13 - 2:10 PM
#35
Excellent.
Keep the adapter just in case.
You never know when you or someone else might need it.
Posted by Joe Kriz on 09/22/13 - 2:50 PM
#36
How about putting a couple of photos of your boat in your personal page so all of us can see what you have?
Posted by wired911 on 09/22/13 - 7:57 PM
#37
I will defiantly do that. It's a bit a of project boat mid-flight, but I take a few pix and post them this week.