Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by Jack Jordan on 07/31/11 - 3:25 PM

I was considering putting whats left of the cable steering from my '63 custom (was Currituck before mods) up for sale. But before I do, can anyone tell me if the old system countered the engine torque like my current teleflex NFB? The parts I have were set up like the pictures in campfirestu's PP, pictures 3 - 5 - 6 & 8 counting from the top. http://www.whalercentral.com/infusion...r_id=20848

Posted by Gamalot on 07/31/11 - 4:37 PM

Great question Jack! I grew up on those old cable systems and I don't mean the TV.

It was absolutely critical to have the adjustable tab on the engines cavitation plate adjusted to the right angle to off set the torque. I think it remains pretty important even with the NFB systems.

Back in the days we spent many hours getting the tilt adjusted just right for the engine and prop as well as the steering tuned so it would go in a straight line with no hands on the wheel.

These days I have to give a big thumbs up to guys like Tom and Joe who can tell us what prop works best with our hulls and engines. There is a science to it all but once the data is in it becomes fairly simple.

I wish I had a dollar for every gallon of gas we wasted and every prop change we tried to get just the right set up. One prop and setting would pull up skiers pretty easy while another would give maximum speed and stink for torque. The cavitation plate off set remained fairly constant no matter which prop or setting we used.

As soon as I am sure my motor is OK I will be ordering the recommended 13 1/4 X 15 Stiletto Advantage for my EV 90 on my '74 Montauk. Tom Clark took all the adventure out of the mix and I am happy for this major savings.

Posted by Gamalot on 08/01/11 - 5:11 AM

Jack Jordan wrote:
Now I am confused Gamalot! Sounds like "straight line, hands free" boat travel is more a function of trim rather than steering system? Sorry I sound like I dont know what i'm talking about, but there is a good reason for that. LOL

No Jack, Not Trim. Trim has a lot to do with over all performance and how the boat reaches plane and top speed and many other aspects.

On the cavitation plate of your motor there is an adjustable rudder of sorts and it's purpose is to off set the effects of your engines torque and any other cause forcing your hull to drift to one direction or the other. A simple thing like a transducer hanging down on one side of your transom causing drag could cause your boat to drift right or left. That tab on the cav. plate is there to correct this.

If your hull experiences serious drift in one direction or what you refer to as steering pull then you have to search for the reason. Propeller torque is just one part but is your engine mounted dead center on the transom? Are there other items hanging that could cause drag? Is your boat naturally out of balance with more weight on one side than the other, Ie; side console with only a 200 pound pilot and no passenger to off set? That tiny rudder on the cavitation plate can help with a lot of these imbalances. Most boats will in fact spin in one direction or another if the wheel is left unattended at low speeds. When up on plane your boat should be adjusted to go in a fairly straight line and not be pulling to one side or the other unless the furniture and cargo inside are unevenly distributed.

Back in the day, Dad would be driving, 200 pounds on the right, and my little sister was the ski spotter, 60 pounds on the left. The gas tanks and battery went on my sisters side to balance the weight. If a third person was in the boat they usually had to sit up front to help with planing and often had to be situated to one side or the other as directed by Dad.

Posted by Binkie on 08/01/11 - 9:25 AM

Don't sell the cable and pulley steering. Its the best steering system available on small boats. Its the only steering system allowed on Outboard racing. It is easily inspected for problems and easy to fix. the setup is not all that complicated. The inherent design of the system eliminates torque steer. Make sure your engine is at the proper height with the cavitation plate at or just below the surface when on plane, your trim tab not missing and is adjusted properly, (there are not that many adjustment that can be made, and that your outboard is trimmed just tucked in a tad from where the boat porpoises. I have three boats at preseant and all have cable and pulley steering. 13ft. Whaler with a 25hp 4 stroke merc/Tohatsu , 14' antique Sea Fury with a 75 Evinrude Starflight. and a class F Desilva racing runabout with a Chrysler 105 race motor.