Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by Berger on 02/25/15 - 4:51 PM

Hi All I'm in the process of restoring a 1978 sport and will be replacing the wood to SS spec's. I also want to replace the steering and would like some advice. It has the teleflex cable system but is a bit tired, Should I replace with Hydrolic or just replace what I have? I don't know the length of the existing cable because the boat is 50 miles away right now but I would like to order the parts so that I have them ready. After visiting several sites the minimum they sell is 10' but I don't think mine is that long, is it special order? The OB is a 70HP Johnson.

Posted by wlagarde on 02/25/15 - 6:35 PM

Hydraulic steering is very nice but probably unnecessary for your application. The mechanical steering (at least the Teleflex Big-T) is 3 turns lock-lock while the Teleflex BayStar hydraulic steering is 5 turns lock-lock so the mechanical steering will be more responsive for the same wheel movement. I would first install the SS interior and then measure for the cable length you need. I have the Telefax Big-T on my Sport 15 and I love it. Others prefer the NFB (no feedback) Teleflex options. Can you tell us what you currently have installed on your Sport 15?

Posted by dgoodhue on 02/25/15 - 6:52 PM

I think I am using 11' cable on my 15. I went to NFB after adding a jack plate. After raising the motor, The steering wheel was constantly pulling. I would have need the NFB steering if I didn't have a jack plate.

Posted by jamesgt727 on 02/25/15 - 7:20 PM

If you never had hydraulic steering, especially on a small boat, you won't miss it...if you have hydraulic you will never go back. I like the UFlex Silversteer personally, I've put it on three boats now, love the way it looks too. Best part is high speed, you can take your hands off the wheel and the motor stays right where you put it. Have a professional bleed the system when it's installed, if u don't you find out why I said that.

Posted by Berger on 03/01/15 - 4:28 PM

Hi All I was at the boat today and checked the length of the teleflex cable that is on the boat right now. Measuring just the black sleeve it came to 8',6". Should I be measuring the inside cable?

Posted by Finnegan on 03/01/15 - 4:57 PM

For a 15 with a little ol' Johnson 70 on it, Baystar hydraulic is probably a little bit of premium overkill.
But it certainly can be done.

There are two more reasonably priced options, both excellent. Sea Star Solutions (new name for Teleflex steering since Teleflex sold it) NFB Safety rotary 3.0, and the brand new Xtreme rotary 4.2. You can read about both here:

http://www.seastarsolutions.com/produ...fe-t-ll-2/

http://www.seastarsolutions.com/produ...-steering/

The new EXTREME is supposed to best mechanical/cable steeringyou can buy, and if it's anything like their EXTREME engine control cables, it should be super smooth.

The SS132 is $176, and the SSX176 (Extreme) is $262. You may need a 20 degree bezel kit also.

See here for excellent pricing. I buy from them

http://www.surplusunlimited.com/mm5/m...de=2200-20

See links to different steering products on left.

Posted by wlagarde on 03/01/15 - 6:28 PM

#11

Berger wrote:
Hi All I was at the boat today and checked the length of the teleflex cable that is on the boat right now. Measuring just the black sleeve it came to 8',6". Should I be measuring the inside cable?

The existing cable should have the length embossed on the cable usually within a foot or so of one of the ends. For example my cable reads SSC6111 where the last 2 digits are the length of the cable in feet.

Edited by wlagarde on 03/01/15 - 6:47 PM

Posted by wlagarde on 03/02/15 - 4:01 AM

#13

Berger wrote:
Yes I know this but I could not find any embossed letters or numbers, thats why i'm asking. Cheers Brian

OK - Look closer it is there. The white has probably rubbed off, but the indentations of the numbers should be there. I thought they weren't there at first too - It took me a while to find them but eventually I did.

There is also a method to measure for the cable length you will need. See here: http://www.easternmarine.com/media/do...flex_1.pdf.

It looks like you probably have a 10' cable.

Edited by wlagarde on 03/02/15 - 4:14 AM

Posted by cncwhaler on 03/07/15 - 3:28 AM

#14

I installed the Baystar Steering on my 15 and love it! Yes it is overkill, but when you factor in that the installation is way cleaner in my opinion since you can tie strap your hoses with your other rigging wires. And the fact that you will never have to put your boat up for the winter without having to worry that the cable will freeze in place when you take it out in the spring is worth the extra couple of hundred bucks.

Posted by wlagarde on 03/08/15 - 6:19 AM

#15

cncwhaler wrote:
I installed the Baystar Steering on my 15 and love it! Yes it is overkill, but when you factor in that the installation is way cleaner in my opinion since you can tie strap your hoses with your other rigging wires. And the fact that you will never have to put your boat up for the winter without having to worry that the cable will freeze in place when you take it out in the spring is worth the extra couple of hundred bucks.

Yes - your rigging is really clean and looks really nice.