***PLEASE HELP*** 1973 Sea Ray 200

[Agresticish]

Hello all. I just bought a 1973 Sea Ray 200 with the Berkley Packajet motor. This boat is in absolute mint condition, even the interior is original, and not a single crack or anything. I am very excited to get that Ford 460 (360hp) in the water and fly but i have a bit of a problem.

The steering cable is froze up, I am guessing since the steering wheel wont turn back and forth. Can anyone tell me how to take it apart and clean or lube? Or any way/thing to try to get it unstuck before I go out and buy a cable?

Also, if I am not able to free it, where can I find another steering cable for somewhat cheap?

 

[fwebster]

With jet drives, there is a transom housing that th e steering cable mounts to, Try taking the cable off the Berkley directional nozzle and see which moves.......the cable or the nozzle.

If the nozzle is stuck, you will have to disassemble the pump and replace the bushing in the pivot points. If it is the cable, you might try forcing the cable out a little with a slide hammer. If you can get it to move, perhaps you can work some anti-seize compound, Merc Anti-corrosion grease or Screwloose into the cable jacket then get the cable to move a little bit more each time you try.

Honestly, once a steering cable seizes, it is difficult to ever get it to work right again and I'd be thinking about replacing as much of the steering gear as needed to make it dependable. On a jet drive, if the cable breaks, without steering the nozzle all you are going to do is run around in circles.

Good luck with it.

 

[Agresticish]

Thanks for the reply.

Any idea where I might be able to find one online for a reasonable price?

 

[fwebster]

Nope, but I don't think there is anything magic about its hooking up to a jet pump. Look at the steering wheel end to find the manufacturer then look at the end near th e pump and just match it with what is available now.

 

[AKBASSKING]

You can goggle it or start with west marine.

 

[tmikesh81]

do you have any pics of the boat??? like to see what it looks like...