Steering choices.?

[TonyFL]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum but I just bought a 1994 175 with a 1994 Johnson 90. The steering was super tight so I pulled everything apart and found the stiffness was in the cable itself. 

Would you: Replace with a NFB helm or switch to the BayStar hydraulic.  Also, the cable I pulled was 15' (Teleflex part# SSC6215).  That seems a foot longer than the others I've seen posted.

Thanks

[mshugg]

If you can spare the $, Baystar all the way.  No feedback and no cables to rust.

[hudsport]

I just put the Baystar on my 1990 17.4 with a 90 etec, i kinda had to after the 4" atlas jack plate install the cable was binding too much.  Love it !!

[RickK]

Hunt around and see if you can find something used - I found a Seastar for my 170.

[TonyFL]

Thanks.  BayStar it is.

[hudsport]

 

[wingtime]

I put a NFB kit on it 170. Didn't cost much more than just a new cable by itself. I love it.  I looked into the Baystar and I my application it would not work with my manual jackplate. To be honest the nfb almost feels as good as hydraulic.

[dirtwheelsfl]

Seatechmarineproducts.com has the best deals around

[dbiscayne]

I second the NFB choice, on a boat this small w/a small engine you don't need the hydraulic setup & the ease of steering probably wouldn't even be noticable vs. the NFB.
You could also get a NFB helm with the 4.2 turns lock to lock ratio, every bit as easy to turn as a hydraulic setup.

[TonyFL]

Thanks again.  I installed the BayStar a few days ago.  It went in with only 1/2 of the cursing I was expecting.  There were two deciding factors that pushed me into hydraulic over mechanical.  First, when it's time to repower, it will be with a higher HP engine.  Second, original cable I pulled was 15 feet.  The measurements I took, and the posts on here, all suggested I need a 14 foot cable.  To be honest, switching to hydraulic was easier.   

[hudsport]

reason number one for me was no cable, it just wasn't going to work with the jack plate and how my old steering cable was routed. 1/2 the cursing is good!

[RickK]

I really like the hydraulics on my 170.  I bought it used, like 10 years ago and love 1 finger steering.

[mshugg]

Plus, with minimal maintenance, the hydraulics will outlast 2 or 3 sets of cables.