Recommendations or warnings on remote outboard steering? Tight budget.

[stevebla]

I am building a 18 foot Jeff Spira Carolina dory and hope to install a center console in the forward area of the boat. I want to minimize the space the console uses. I bought a used 25 hp Tohatsu 2 cycle model number M25C2. I have the control box for shift and throttle control, but no steering components. Any thoughts, suggestions, are appreciated. I need to save money but want a quality system as it is a safety issue.

link to web page http://www.spirainternational.com/hp_caro.php

[wizbang 13]

A plain ol teleflex is safe and simple, but the cable does get stiff after a few years of seawater use. I have bought about 5 cables at around $100 a pop over 12 years. So, that becomes expensive.
have you seen the 'stick steering " thread? Might be what you seek, might not.
(first picture on that webpage has the chap steering from the wrong side with his elbow up in the air, wearing a pfd, something always makes me nervous)

[Tom Lathrop]

If you use a steering station that attaches to one side, extends to the centerline and still leaves room to pass on the other side, you can use a cable/stick steering system. That would be the cheapest way to go. Cable, springs, clamps and pulleys available from Glen L. Side mounted stick steering would not be good in a dory because of the tender nature of the boat. A center console makes a cable system dificult.

[jonboy]

I transferred a simple standard one cable push me pull you sytem from a dashboard where the cable ran horizontally and then turned toward the stern to a centre console, and ran the cable down to the floor and then back to a rear quarter before turning up toward the outboard.

Think a three dimension ' s '
As I was using the same cable and the route was longer, the centre console was more astern than the dash it came from, but it works fine.

[Gerarddm]

The current issue of WB has an article on how to do rope steering for powerboats, "simple and affordable shop-made solutions".

[wizbang 13]

The ad for the boat says it does well with a 9hp and is quite sporty with a 25, in fact, it says it is about all she can handle.
So, beware, or, be careful, of rope systems if the boat is fast. They are mostly suited to slower vessels. More slop and feedback than a modern steering unit.

[Bill Huson]

Well, Bruce, cable steering is the norm in stock/Mod/Pro outboard racing, and the larger classes can bust 85 MPH. My 15 Super Stock ran mid 60s with 3/16" aramid line for cable. And back in the late`50s when I was rigging boats at my uncles marina, cable (now called "Whaler" steering) was all we had.

BTW - our raceboats used cable because oit offered a LACK of slop, tight as teen girl's jeans.

[wizbang 13]

Crikey sorry Bill, I do not mean the cable bit with the springs and the two to one advantage, I mean rope steering with a stick.

[LongIslandBoy]

+1! It's a real good article by Harry Bryan.

[Bill Huson]

Crikey sorry Bill, I do not mean the cable bit with the springs and the two to one advantage, I mean rope steering with a stick.

No springs allowed in race boat setup. C & D classes may use 2:1 but all my boats were direct. Speeds 60 to 70. However it took adjustment to get the cables tight, and any change in trim - as in jack the engine - required readjustment. I used aramid rope = no stretch. But for stick steering methinks you're right - limit 25 hp.

I haven't found Teleflex to be a problem in the salt, but I did lose a cable when the tube on the outboard rusted and locked up the cable. Ne cable, new tube, maintenance schedule now includes greasing up the tube/cable after a trip. 1987 boat, second cable, not to bad.