Cable Steering Issues

[Doc Holliday]

I recently bought an airboat with cable steering. As this was my first experience with cable steering, I kind of went along with the seller whenever he said that cable steering was a "little stiff". Well, let me tell you, after "bravo" trial, I can only assume that it's "too stiff".

I would appreciate any comments you folk have regarding cable steering. I'm used to driving a boat with linkage steering, and could steer with open hand with no issues (very light touch). The new boat requires "manhandling" to turn.

Do I need to replace my cable? Is it a lubrication issue? Are there any "bearing buddy" like devices for cable steering? What about regular maintenance?

Thanks

 

[barhopper]

I think it depends on personal peference. I have run both and like cable steering better but I run saltwater 98% of the time. Cable steering is definitely stiffer but I do not have to "manhandle" it. Check the radius of the bend in the cable to be sure you are not binding it up.

 

[cfth]

Doc,

I agree with Bar Hopper definetly more stiff than the linkage. You can do two things.
1. You can take it off of the boat and use WD40 or triflo. Tie the cable to a ladder or something of that nature where the oil will run down through. That will help if the cable itself is bound up.

2. The do make a cable saver for outboards but I think it would depend on how your cable is set up. The cable saver replaces the nut on the outboard tube and has a grease fitting there.

Good Luck.

 

[c chardt]

My cable steering is smooth and it takes almsot no effort to move I've also seen those bell crank kind go to far and take out a prop so that fixed me from using on of those a new cable is around $100 bucks and mine is still as free 3 years after I bought it.

 

[PredatorI0540]

I have ran cable steering on my first boat, i hated it!! I now run what we call dog leg steering.. Dont have any pics right now, but my new boat will be done in about 2 weeks.. I also added foot-steering to my rudder-stick because i hunt... i will never run cable again! I show some pics when mine gets done!

 

[frank w.]

Predator0470 do you have pic to show your foot steer is it on yor rudder stick

 

[cntry141iq]

It definetly should not be stiff if it is is could be the cable is bad or the connections where the rudders bolt on to the cage is too tight or any number of things but you better get it fixed. It is driver preference as to cable or draglink type steering but get it loosened up.

 

[PredatorI0540]

No dont have any pics right now, but my new boat is almost done.. i will show you some pics, yes it's connected to the rudder-stick, it allows you to drive with ur hand or foot, you foot slids into a hole just big enough to fit the heel of your boot it, a tab comes off your rudder-stick and a rod end bolts to it with a peice of conduit ran to the center o the foot stand where a 1" peice of conduit it welding to the expaned metal about 3 inches long, then the conduit ran from the rudder stick to the cent has a peice of 3/4welding to it and it slids into the 1" and a circular peice comes of the longer peice of cunduit to stick the heel of ur boot in it.. I doubt u will understand what it is or looks like with this explanation, but its hard to explain i will post pics of that and the new PREDATOR! as soon as it gets done!

 

[frank w.]

ya pic s help better i m still interested in how it works like to set mine like lhat way be nice

 

[Airboatcapt2]

I'm in Davie, If you would like I will take a look at it and see what the problem is. I have been in Hundreds of airboats with cable steering and can probably help you. Cable steering can be extremly smooth, somthing must be binding on your cable. My cell phone is 409-920-0716 if you want I'll come take a look at it for ya.

 

[marshmaster pat]

I has been my experience that when used around salt water and not cleaned well, those cable often get rusty inside. We have oiled them both by squirting WD-40 on the end and letting it run down inside as well as soaking the thing in a barrel of lubricant (long story don't ask details) and both helped for a while. But the problem will usually show back up after a while and replacing the cable fixes things.

But I really liked it being slightly stiff, I could let that Kline cruise with no hand on the stick and she held it straight as an arrow. Got enough of a work out during the summer that I was able to stop doing 12oz. curls last summer with my left arm. LOL

 

[Doc Holliday]

Well.....the WD-40 seemed to do it.......I lubed the ends with aerospace lubricant (lithium grease?), and that seemed to free it up a little (very little). Then my bud came over today, and sprayed WD-40 into the cable from the ends. It took awhile to settle in (like an hour or so of drive time), and when it freed up, I thought that something had broke or somethin'. Night inspection didn't uncover anything, so I'm assuming it just took it's time to reach the part of the cable that was binding. Now it's almost too easy.........

Thanks a lot for all your input....that's the great thing about this board.....there's a lot of talent out there to learn from.

Now if it would only rain............

 

[PredatorI0540]

Well it took long enough but my new boat is finally done! I ran it for the first time yesterday.. cant ask for a better boat, but i said i would post pics of my foot-steering, so i will post some pics soon...