Thread: Old pulley and cable style steering systems

The old pulley and cable systems worked, but they are ripe with difficulties. I'm not sure about the legalities down there, but wouldn't be surprised about the HP limits. The torque steer alone will drive you insain with these pulley systems. They're prone to failure and usually at just the wrong moment.

Rack and pinion or drum helm and sheathed cable systems are costly in comparison, but they work reliably for decades. They have anti-feed back systems now for larger HP outboards, which can take the effort and fatigue out of steering a little boat with a big HP outboard.

I figured you'd save that little 5 HP kicker for a dinghy once you'd tried it out on the "mother ship". At least you got to putter around and look for leaks with it.

Trust me, you should bite the bullet and get a real honest to God steering system. Both the rack or rotary helm types work very well. The steering shafts are standarized, so any steering wheel will fit. You don't want to mess with the constant adjustments of a pulley system or more importantly the unreliable nature they bring to the project. Steering isn't an area I recommend attempting to save some money. It's a bit like trying to find a wife you can afford. You might suceed and she's a real bargin of a lass, but hell to live with.

We used to have a 70HP Chrysler on our Quintrex with a cable steering system.
It worked but was functional rather than enjoyable.
The 115HP was probably a 'grandfathered' allowance.
If it were still there, you'd be allowed to keep it.
Think of it as the difference between a Holden EJ vs a VX.
(or an XP vs a BF if you're a Ford man)
You can't legally register a new one, but you can keep driving an existing one.