Steering Cable

[randerson]

Has anyone ever replaced their steering cable (mine is manual) on their 370 Sundancer? Mine is starting to get a lot of slop . . . is this a difficult job? It appears that the cable disconnects from the helm assembly and the rudder assembly and you just simply thread the new cable (which I'm sure will not be easy). Anyway, has anyone done this?

I talked to the Searay dealer and gave them the part number, and, of course, they no longer manufacture the 18.5 foot length, I would have to have it custom made OR try and make do with a 19 foot cable which would be cheaper and faster to acquire.

Any insights from anybody would sure be helpful, thanks!

 

[PlayDate]

Sometimes the "slop" has nothing to do with the cable. Check the steering mechanism where the cable attaches to at the helm and ensure that it has not come loose. You can visually check it by watching the mechanism and slightly turning the wheel side to side.

-John

 

[randerson]

Thanks John, I will check it this weekend.

 

[Moose]

Reading this post makes me want to ask the question, "What is normal" when you turn your wheel before anything happens? Mine has about 2 inches of "free play" at the rim of the wheel before stern drive turns. Input please.

 

[PlayDate]

If the system is completely cable driven as it is on Andy's boat, the excessive "play" in the system comes from the steering system itself not usually the cables. The system consists of a helm mechanism (which can come loose and introduce play) the wheel attaches to and his case a rudder system consisting of the rudders, arms and a cross-bar link.

When you consider the length of the cable and components on a 30 foot boat, having 2" of play is ok when you also consider the reduction gear of the helm mechanism. The best way to check the system is to have someone turning the wheel side to side 4" at a time and check both systems for obvious slop.

-John

 

[randerson]

John,

Thanks, when I went and looked, sure enough the helm mechanism was loose. I tightened it and things are much improved. The only thing I can't figure out is why SeaRay would even consider putting a mechanical steering system on a boat of this size. The steering is still very stiff but I'm not sure replacing the cable would improve that. Do you have any other insight into this? Regardless, thanks for your advice!