SoCal Jet Boats

Tech Talk => Projects => Topic started by: SkyHarborCowboy on December 12, 2008, 02:16:45 PM

Title: Steering Cables
Post by: SkyHarborCowboy on December 12, 2008, 02:16:45 PM

I am not sure which Forum to put this in so here goes!

I have a 19ft. Commander that has a stuck steering cable on a Berkley Jet. The helm works fine and I am sure that with a simple lube the cable could be freed up but my question is what is the best way to try to pull the cable from the housing? What type of lube should be on the cable? If that is not feasible, where can I find a complete cable with housing? I know Morse used to be (and may still be the best) I will be working on the boat in Orange County, Ca so if there are any shops out that way can you let me know and what should I expect to pay?

Secondary question, how tight a radius can these cables withstand and still work?

Thanks,

Joe

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: jet boat performance on December 12, 2008, 05:09:04 PM

Joe , the truth is once they "stiffen" they are pretty tough to free up, occasionally folks "force' lube such as Sea foam in the jacket That rack system when working right should be a "one finger" deal I just got in a pallet of Steering racks/cables (and FWD/REV and throttle too) Special prices to SCJB members . Do your self a favor and buy the rack system Let me know  Thanks Tom
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi147.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr319%2Fjetboatperformance%2FMisc%2FDSC02417.jpg&hash=aad11da510610ebc431ea56cee3df82a9b652a17)

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: Ralph Brunt on December 12, 2008, 05:38:58 PM

yup what tom said, oh yeah got mine from him too ;D

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: beerjet on December 12, 2008, 05:50:19 PM

Here Here !

-beerjet-

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: crewchief22 on December 12, 2008, 09:53:40 PM

I got fwd/rev and Place diverter cables from JBP earlier this year.  Good price & fast service.

All you need to do is get your measurements and give them a call.  They can usually tell you what ends you have for each type of cable.

 

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: GAWnCA on December 13, 2008, 09:30:58 AM

Quote from: crewchief22 on December 12, 2008, 09:53:40 PM

I got fwd/rev and Place diverter cables from JBP earlier this year.  Good price & fast service.

All you need to do is get your measurements and give them a call.  They can usually tell you what ends you have for each type of cable.

This is one of the mysteries to me, how do you measure?

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: beerjet on December 13, 2008, 09:59:08 AM

Now with the steering , you measure the plastic casing or just use the measurement thats on your old cable . www.jetboatperformance.com will let you know all the ins and outs .

-beerjet-

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: GAWnCA on December 13, 2008, 10:07:02 AM

BJ,  That's the problem I have no old cables to measure from.  :D

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: 2savage4you on December 13, 2008, 10:09:09 AM

Quote from: GAWnCA on December 13, 2008, 10:07:02 AM

BJ,  That's the problem I have no old cables to measure from.  :D

Call JBP...........

They hooked me up, he knew what i needed before i could even describe it ;)

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: GAWnCA on December 13, 2008, 10:44:08 AM

If I could get them to answer me, that would be great.  ;)

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: beerjet on December 13, 2008, 10:57:02 AM

I could see that . When I get someone on the phone , that phone rings at least 5 times before I get off the line  8)

-beerjet-

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: 76 Bonneville on December 13, 2008, 02:36:20 PM

Go for new, its not worth messing with the old stuff, you'll just end up replacing it mid season when it starts binding up again. If you have the rotory stile, I would diffinently recommend swiching over to the rack & pinion.

For the rack steering cable measure the plastic casing plus 30" divided by 12 then round up to the next foot. If you dont have an existing cable its from the center of the rack to the tiller and round up. Allow plenty for the bends. This is out of the CP catalog. They dont provide any formulas for the other cables, but i'm sure you leave Tom a message with the end to end demensions and he would get back to you with the proper length.

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: jet boat performance on December 13, 2008, 02:49:35 PM

Quote from: GAWnCA on December 13, 2008, 10:44:08 AM

If I could get them to answer me, that would be great.  ;)

Greg What on earth are you talking about ? I've  gotten exactly  30 emails from you so far this month alone (Rhonda even gave you your own folder)  ;D ,not one about question about boats or steering  :screwy:! You can  PM or email call cell and shop phones  Heck I take calls from 8am to ?? even on Sunday's and late nites , Everyone knows we're easy to reach when exactly did you call ? if you need help  let me know Tom 805 466 4719 (shop phone rolls to my cell after hours)

RE cables  for the record ; Generally .. 16' boats use 14' rack systems  17' & 18" use 15' and 20's and 21's typically take 16' and sometimes 17' . Most Rack cables are misrouted or the person selling the rack is too lazy to explain how to route them the most effective way and folks end up with the wrong length We sell all Steer cable systems for the same price and will happily take time to explain how to route the best way Tom

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: Ralph Brunt on December 13, 2008, 05:10:39 PM

Quote from: beerjet on December 13, 2008, 10:57:02 AM

I could see that . When I get someone on the phone , that phone rings at least 5 times before I get off the line  8)

-beerjet-

x2, never had a problem getting ahold of jbp

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: GAWnCA on December 14, 2008, 05:20:31 PM

Quote from: jet boat performance on December 13, 2008, 02:49:35 PM

Most Rack cables are misrouted or the person selling the rack is too lazy to explain how to route them the most effective way and folks end up with the wrong length We sell all Steer cable systems for the same price and will happily take time to explain how to route the best way Tom [/b]

HI Tom,  How about a lesson on how to correctly route steering cable, on here?  I'm sure everyone would appreciate that.  I know I would.  ~Greg

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: BOOST on December 14, 2008, 05:23:42 PM

 Come on boys they go in the way they came out :screwy:on the new cables just flip the helm.

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: GAWnCA on December 14, 2008, 05:26:06 PM

Quote from: boost on December 14, 2008, 05:23:42 PM

Come boys they go in the way they came out :screwy:

When you have a a hull that has no steering installed, there's no way to trace the same route.

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: BOOST on December 14, 2008, 05:35:00 PM

 Measure the length you need start at the helm you might have to drill new holes and flip it so you wont be steering the wrong way run the cable on the side of the gunnel to the back of the boat, hope this helps maybe Tom can do a better job and post a video.

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: jet boat performance on December 14, 2008, 07:02:33 PM

OK so first you start to replace the cable by removeing the Dash ....
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi147.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr319%2Fjetboatperformance%2FOxidean%2FDSC02187.jpg&hash=a3576f21a440f47834557940193da98efc1bb1c0)

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: Ralph Brunt on December 14, 2008, 07:07:30 PM

Quote from: jet boat performance on December 14, 2008, 07:02:33 PM

OK so first you start to replace the cable by removeing the Dash ....
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi147.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr319%2Fjetboatperformance%2FOxidean%2FDSC02187.jpg&hash=a3576f21a440f47834557940193da98efc1bb1c0)

oh shit :o ROTFLMAO ;D

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: GAWnCA on December 14, 2008, 07:15:39 PM

Quote from: jet boat performance on December 14, 2008, 07:02:33 PM

OK so first you start to replace the cable by removeing the Dash ....
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi147.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr319%2Fjetboatperformance%2FOxidean%2FDSC02187.jpg&hash=a3576f21a440f47834557940193da98efc1bb1c0)

Isn't this just a bit EXSTREAM?  :o  ;D

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: jrork on December 19, 2008, 07:23:07 AM

Quote from: Ralph Brunt on December 12, 2008, 05:38:58 PM

yup what tom said, oh yeah got mine from him too ;D

Me too, steers REALLY nice.......  Tommy can hook you up and the prices are killer good and he'll help you with the routing questions.  Nuthin to it (unless you mount the rack upside down and don't realize it till you launch the boat  :mad:. Don't be asking how I know).

Give Tommy a call.....can't go wrong with JBP

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: SkyHarborCowboy on January 17, 2009, 07:47:49 AM

  Anyway, the thing works like butter now!  thanks for the past shipping and help in choosing the right cable.

I have a question now about the Forward /Reverse set-up not.  It seems like my handle is hitting the dash before the rear flapper is all of the way up!  How far up does the flapper gate have to be aboe the nozzle outlet?  how do you make minor andor larrge adjustments to the  handle/cable assembly?

thanks,

Joe

Ps.  sorry about the typos but I cant see what I am typing into the box here and no one has told me yet how to fix that.  this is the only site I have a problem with this situation.

I ordered the steering cable from Tom and fINLLY got it in yesterday.  What a PITA to get that cable une the engine and over the pump to get that sucker in!  NIGHTMARE!!!!!!!!!!!

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: SkyHarborCowboy on January 17, 2009, 07:50:33 AM

This is nuts.  some how the bottom sentence under the PS was supposed to be the first art of my post!  Can some one pleease tell me what I need to change so i can see what I am typing in the message box?

Joe

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: jrork on January 17, 2009, 09:29:29 AM

????  That is really wierd.  There's a huge text box that I can watch how poorly I spell.  I can't be of any help here but hopefully some body will chime in with the answer

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: SnoC653 on January 17, 2009, 01:26:14 PM

Ok so I have the dash cut out of my two jet boats, I'm still waiting patiently on the next step.  Would a two rack helm work better in the eliminator to circle race?  Not real sure how I'm going to get the dash back in as solid as it was the first time but I trust Tom completely. 

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: beerjet on January 17, 2009, 02:01:28 PM

Quote from: SnoC653 on January 17, 2009, 01:26:14 PM

Ok so I have the dash cut out of my two jet boats, I'm still waiting patiently on the next step.  Would a two rack helm work better in the eliminator to circle race?  Not real sure how I'm going to get the dash back in as solid as it was the first time but I trust Tom completely. 

PICS please  ???

-beerjet-

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: Brad @ SCJB on January 17, 2009, 06:58:16 PM

I have driven a boat with a dual rack helm...its nice. You can tell the difference between a single and a dual. I have not driven a boat with calgo steering, so I cant compair it to that.

You can stiffen up the dash in many ways with different configurations of wood and fiberglass. post some pics of what you have now and we'll guide you to making it better/stronger.

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: propless on January 17, 2009, 08:04:13 PM

 Ummm, guys, I think hes joking.  Referring to Toms pic on the previous page (I hope)  :-\ :-\

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: SnoC653 on January 17, 2009, 10:47:12 PM

Well, the cutting the dash part was bit of a joke.  I did think about it and wondered if I would be able to guilt tom into fixing it if I did.  Not even a smiley face on his this is how to do it.   ;D  The dual rack question was serious as the eliminator is being rigged for circles.  If dual rack is that much firmer/precise then that is probalby what I'll set it up with. 

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: GT Jets on January 17, 2009, 11:09:37 PM

Quote from: SnoC653 on January 17, 2009, 10:47:12 PM

Well, the cutting the dash part was bit of a joke.  I did think about it and wondered if I would be able to guilt tom into fixing it if I did.  Not even a smiley face on his this is how to do it.   ;D  The dual rack question was serious as the eliminator is being rigged for circles.  If dual rack is that much firmer/precise then that is probalby what I'll set it up with. 

The dual  cable steering setup is pretty sweet for adjusting out any and all steering play, the cables are adjusted against one another...On outboards and sterndrives, it is recommended for speeds in exess of 80 MPH, it will however stiffen up the movement of the wheel a bit.

I have seen some cool setups with a cable on both sides of the nozzle, but sort of overkill...Now Calgo pull-pull setups are the shizzle...

[attachimg=#]

GT

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: jet boat performance on January 18, 2009, 10:23:52 AM

My Howard Hydro had an absolutley bitchen Morse dual rack system (near impossible to find anymore) which seemed to work bitchen ! although I never personally drove the boat It apparently worked well past 170 mph , I personally did not like the Calgo (Sanger) and although I will continue to sell Calgo  to those who wish , I probably wouldn't use it again I like the Sanger much better with the Teleflex Rack ,just my 02 Tom

(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi147.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr319%2Fjetboatperformance%2FBadlands%2FBadlands-mattCulbert-Phoenix5-28-78.jpg&hash=d105f4a778a0ff46167bd7cdf3aa6a7f8c37246e)

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: SkyHarborCowboy on January 18, 2009, 10:34:02 AM

I believe aI saw a Calgo on Ebay just the other day.

Joe

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: SnoC653 on January 18, 2009, 11:56:15 AM

Quote from: jet boat performance on January 18, 2009, 10:23:52 AM

My Howard Hydro had an absolutley bitchen Morse dual rack system (near impossible to find anymore) which seemed to work bitchen ! although I never personally drove the boat It apparently worked well past 170 mph , I personally did not like the Calgo (Sanger) and although I will continue to sell Calgo  to those who wish , I probably wouldn't use it again I like the Sanger much better with the Teleflex Rack ,just my 02 Tom

So in your opinion the dual rack morse would be the way to go.  Now, is that the dual rack cable assembly mount like this one (https://www.socaljetboats.com/cpg/albums/userpics/12694/620-370853.jpg) or the dual cable rack like this one (https://www.socaljetboats.com/cpg/albums/userpics/12694/blueball.gif)

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: SkyHarborCowboy on January 18, 2009, 12:48:22 PM

It would seem to me that you have to have the upper one and run one cable down each side of the hull to be able to work the play ourt of the system.  Haviving the cables run our of the same side of e rack just seems like is it for a dual outboard/ outdrive situaltion.
Joe

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: SnoC653 on January 18, 2009, 02:27:10 PM

That was what I was thinking too, but I wanted to be positive before I went out and started buying parts.  I can buy the helm now if that is the hard part to get and then buy the cables when I'm ready to start putting it all together. 

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: SkyHarborCowboy on January 18, 2009, 02:43:17 PM

Let an expert on rigging chime in as I am no expert on these things!  Although since an airlplane just turned itself into a boat I may now be!

Joe

Title: Re: Steering Cables
Post by: GT Jets on January 18, 2009, 06:12:36 PM

It does not really matter if you want to run the cables left and right until you get to the tiller arm, if you run both down the same side the cables will travel the same direction.

Run down both sides the cables will travel in oposite diretions, the difference is, there will be more "slack" removed with both sides of the hull, you can still get the slack out of the cables on one side, but leaves "tiller slack" unadjustable...Just my.02c

GT