Steering

[outasite]

Friends,An old man needs advice.After sitting in the barn for fifteen years,or is it sixteen.Anyway my v-king has set up ride guide cables 13'6 long.I have been unable to locate any of that size.So my question is what are fast v bottoms using for steering these days.I have heard that maybe hydraulic? I am not sure about control without feedback.The boat is a 81 comp viking with 79 2.4 offshore, 225 front cover, L&S ported,L&S lift, omc carbs merc twin pinion ssm 14-15 gears 9.5X17 round ear=95mph.I know that me and my boat are dinosaurs.But what can i say i got the bug again.I need a ride! but i want it to be a safe one!thanks for any help.

[rjdubiel]

From reading the way to go is hydraulic. but a solid rack setup with cables can work fine. Others will let you know, and then the fights start about cable vs hydraulic!

[transomstand]

There's a 13' 6" cable on Ebay, the guys been trying to sell it for a month.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercury-Mercruiser-Ride-Guide-Steering-Cable-/130621607643?hash=item1e69a78edb&item=130621607643&pt=Boat_Parts_Accessories_Gear&vxp=mtr

[JWTjr.]

If it's a competition hull with center seat and no interior, why not convert to pulley and cable? It's cheaper than hydraulic and offers much better boat control. With your SSM gearcase and small propeller you'll have very little torque on the wheel. That's the best setup you're gonna find.

JT

[MDevrow]

You should be able to find cables, Hydraulic is nice though, go with blinker trim on the helm.

[outasite]

Thanks for the heads up on the cable.I had seen it, but by the part# i think its a 13' I will check my P/N this weekend.If it will work would be great, I really like the ride guide.Will still need one more.

[outasite]

If I have to convert I think I am leaning in favor of the old cable and pulley, unless some of you convince me that the hydraulic works well.Would prefer to keep the ride guide.Anyone with 13'6 cables for sale let me know.

[transomstand]

Thanks for the heads up on the cable.I had seen it, but by the part# i think its a 13' I will check my P/N this weekend.If it will work would be great, I really like the ride guide.Will still need one more.

An 11111A13 cable is 13' 6"

[outasite]

Transomstand,Thanks again for the help.I just orderd that cable.One down one to go.when i saw the 13 suffix on the P/N I thought that is was a 13 footer.

[transomstand]

A lot of people have found them just by getting on the phone and calling dealers. There are quite a few cables just sitting on shelves.

Keep an eye on Ebay too, they turn up every couple of months.

[Dave Strong]

Merc dealers can do a search through the dealer network, they will get a list of all dealers that show stock on a part. Then you just make calls till you get a dealer that stocks the part, have found a few NLA parts that way

Dave