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kent7351.
I have a 1997 Basscat Sabre. My steering is really bad. Im usually sore the next day and thats not running around very much. Its crazy. Anyway I finally have the funds to replace the cables. So I call basscat and they state that I need the 72 series with 12.5 cables BUT they are out of stock and said they are having trouble getting them. Basically they didnt seem too confident they ever would. Ive found others on other boat sites like go2marine, iboats, etc but every siingle option doesnt offer half sizes and are also more expensive than the cables I was prepared to buy which means waiting a little longer if I am forced to buy. I told the parts guy this with basscat and he said I need the 12.5…again. So I have no idea if the 13 is what I need or not. I havent seen ANY cable system offer any half sizes. So are they wrong?I have read in another forum on this site that someone said they needed 13 cables for their Sabre. I would just hate to order them and go through all the work, them not fit, and then worry about a return policy. My steering has been so bad that Ive messed around with it the last couple of years and have never seen any writing or numbers on any of the cables.I have found other systems with 13 cables but with a different shaped helm. Does this matter? Or will any helm work? Im completely lost on this subject and cant really afford to pay someone to do it. These are the cables I supposedly need at 12.5http://www.basscatstore.com/steeringcables.aspxSome of the brands (Uflex, Extreme, Seastar, ETC) that Ive found that only offer 13 and Im not sure would even work are with these links…http://www.go2marine.com/product/335354 … sx176.htmlhttp://www.wholesalemarine.com/nfb-rack … 82003.htmlhttp://www.starmarinedepot.com/teleflex … 11858.html I can afford these if these will work.There are others of course and running out of time to continue posting links. But the others have a different helm.So here are my questions…1. Do I seem to need 12.5 or 13?2. Does the different helm matter? If it doesnt or does what do I need to do (if anything) to use a different helm?3. Will I also need a new steering wheel?4. Will I need to remove the motor or lower/raise jackplate? Any tips appreciatedThanks guys!
I have been holding off responding, hoping that other, more knowledgeable persons might. Instead I will post my thoughts and let others correct any misstatements.There ought to be enough room for 13 cables in the boat. Whats 6″ among friends, anyway? A slight belly in the cable here or there will not effect performance.Yes, you are likely to need to remove the motor and swing it a bit to get the cables reinstalled. You might be able to remove them w/o doing so but the new ones will be much harder to align. (This is also dependent on how the cables are attached which depends on the motor you are running.)I believe that there is compatibility between cables and helms so I do not think there is any concern there. Just drop the two racks from your helm and bolt up the two new ones.When pulling the old cables out, which will be done from under the console, be sure to pull a couple of stout lines to which to tie the new cables, allowing you to pull them to the stern with minimal issues. There will be some issues as there is not a lot of room, but a strong string will make a huge difference.I hope that this is all accurate and would wait for confirmation before getting started.Good luck.
Call Butch at “Boat Steering Rebuilders” (813 785-7146). He may be able to advise you.
13 will fit, 1. Raise your jackplate all the way up. 2. Make sure steering is fully turned to the left. Steering cable at engine should be retracted. Remove cable system from helm. Let it lay 3. Remove steering link and arm from cables at the engine. 4. On the side cables enter tilt tube, should be large nuts , may have a tab to keep it from coming lose. Completely unscrew them if you have dual cables there will be 25.remove the boot covering cables and wires going into boat. 6. Ok now is the push and pull, making an SA. Pull on cables coming out of tubeB. Push on cables coming out of boat Now to put new cables in. Tape the new helm end to old cable end and pull through to the helm /steering wheel Putting new cables through tilt tube, light coat of grease on cables, Making that big S push the cables through tubes and back into boat at same time. Never dissemble helm or cable gear system, with the exception of removing cable assembly from helmLast edited by scubaman154 on January 28th, 2015, 7:46 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Heres how Elwood told me to do it and it worked for installing new cables for me:Kent…I did NOT take the motor off. I disconnected everything first……then if you pull real hard you can get enough slack in the cable to remove the push bars from the motor….you will actually pull the rack into the hole below the consol so make sure you tie a rope to it. Once you get the push bars out put the rack out from the rear with rope attached so that you can pull the new one back through the same route the old one came out. Take your time and you will get a few scrape from trying to wedge everything around the rear corner of the boat. Take the vent off and you will be able to get an extra hand under the top cap. As you are pulling the rope to get the rack back to the console put the push bars back in the motor and as someone pulls on the rack you push on the cable to reseat it back in the rear opening. Conect everything under the consol and on the motor and you are good to go. I hope this makes sense.I will say though that I was never happy with the 13 cables I installed. They were A LOT better, but they still were stiff, I think becuase theyre too long. I only put a season on them and they broke this past November so I will need to replace again as well. Im half tempted to go with the baystar system, but Im not sure….
The Baystar system is great if your 150HP or less. I put it on my dads old Stratos with a 150. Huge improvement over the old stiff cables.
I just replaced another one last week and did it the same way as last time and it took about 2 hours…….the 12 ft will work!!!!! I also had one on order from BCB and they refunded my money. I found one for near the same price from I-Boats for close to the same price but it was cables only with out the helm….$362.00 shipped…Elwood…..Bass Cat Proud
Bay Star Plus with hoses and the smaller cylinder at the engine is your least expensive hydraulic option. We suggest you go replacement cable steering.
Just curious Elwood, why did you need another new cable(s)? I busted mine becuase I tried to fish in sub 20 degree weather when it was snowing. Needless to say they were froze up real good and I tried to crank too hard on the steering wheel.
OP, what did you end up going with? FYI, I just tried 12 foot cables in my 99 sabre with 6″ manual jack plate, and they were not quite long enough.
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