Steering with Precision: The Enduring Advantages of Mechanical Steering Systems for Boats

When it comes to steering systems, recreational boat owners aren’t shy about expressing their opinions over which type of steering they prefer: either mechanical or hydraulic. It’s a comparison that’s been made for decades; and not surprisingly, with innovations like ultra-low friction steering cables being introduced for mechanical systems, and power-assist being applied to hydraulic systems, it’s one that’s likely to continue being made well into the future.

The fact is, even though both systems perform the same basic job, the differences in performance couldn’t be more pronounced. They’re not just technical, they’re operational in nature; and for boat owners who prefer to keep their costs to a minimum while maximizing their control and exhilaration behind the wheel, mechanical systems are the ideal way to go.

Mechanical Steering Cables Give You Performance Advantage

Let’s be honest: when it comes to boat steering systems, there’s no question about why mechanical steering systems still court favour with so many owners, especially ones that like performance. With their time-tested reliability and fool-proof simplicity, low resistance mechanical steering cables for boats are just as suitable for high performance boats as they are for smaller, budget-priced ones; that’s because they deliver near instantaneous responsiveness at a fraction of the cost that hydraulic systems do.

Mechanical marine steering cable advocats understand that no matter the type of boat, even for lengths up to 40′, push-pull steering systems have all the performance advantages that other systems have, including those of electronic fly-by-wire systems. In fact, the benefits that mechanical boat steering cables have couldn’t be any clearer, including:

• Feel the precision. While hydraulic steering systems are known for their feather-light feeling at the wheel, mechanical steering lets you feel precisely what the boat is doing, and even what it wants to do.
• Positive course changes. With mechanical steering, not only are course changes quicker than with hydraulic systems, they’re easier to hold, and aren’t prone to prop walk or oversteer.
• Performance with safety. The positive tracking and helm responsiveness with mechanical systems means there’s less need for course corrections that can make oversteer even worse, and a lessened likelihood of a hard, unsafe over-correction.

With mechanical steering cables, boat owners don’t have to worry about endlessly spinning the wheel to go from lock to lock, or unexpectedly finding themselves in a turn that’s too tight. Mechanical cable systems can also be used with No FeedBack (NFB) planetary gears that reduce unwanted helm pull, especially when running the plane. An NFB setup is a decisive steering performance booster for boats that are hulled for high speed, and are pumping out more than 150hp; but it’s irreplaceable if you’ve stepped up to a dual steering cable system.

You Get Redundance, and Twice the Stability with Dual Cable Steering

Instead of the standard, single cable configuration that’s typically used with mechanical steering systems, dual steering cable boats utilize a second cable to further reduce feedback through the helm. On bass boats, V-bottoms, and other fast movers with big torquey engines, the vibration that’s transferred through the helm can make a boat unsteerable. With dual steering cable-equipped boats, however, the torque load is distributed across two low resistance marine steering cables instead of just one, allowing you to:

• Safely repower your boat (specifically sport and power boats) for speeds in excess of 110km/h;
• Completely adjust the vibration and high speed instability out of the helm; and,
• Know with confidence that you still have one steering cable available in case one breaks.

The fact is, it doesn’t matter if a boat is outfitted with inboard or outboard power, a mechanical system with dual steering cables offers all the confident handing attributes that any hydraulic system is capable of. For owners who are serious about high performance boating, they’re the pinnacle of steering control; and with the hardware used with mechanical steering systems even weighing less than their hydraulic-powered counterparts, they also offer advantages in both weight and simplicity.

Steering Cable Maintenance Makes All the Difference

Make no mistake: while mechanical steering system enthusiasts are prepared to defend their preference tooth and nail, they’re fully aware that the integrity of cable systems depends on a schedule of proper cable maintenance. Mechanical steering systems require more frequent inspections than hydraulic systems to ensure their level of performance and longevity; and for anyone who’s weighing the advantages of retaining, or upgrading their boat steering cable system, there’s no understating just how important a serious maintenance schedule is.

Getting the most from a mechanical steering system means regularly cleaning and lubricating the cable and following a proactive process that includes:

• Fully removing and carefully inspecting the cable(s) for signs of stress, friction, or corrosion;
• Cleaning, and removing any rust or debris from inside the cable’s tilt tube;
• Ensuring that the inside of the tube is adequately lubricated with high quality grease;
• Cleaning and lubricating the cable telescopic ram; and,
• Ensuring that no other part of the cable assembly is damaged, missing parts, or defective.

Ideally, the cable in a mechanical steering system should be inspected semi-annually to ensure that it’s free from any type of binding or damage. With proper maintenance, a premium quality cable can deliver smooth, intuitive steering for decades. If you’re experiencing sloppy, difficult-to-correct steering though, a new high performance cable is all you need to regain the performance advantage.

The Final Word

At the end of the day, while hydraulic steering systems certainly have their appeal for a wide range of boat owners, for ownes who relish performance and a responsive helm, there’s no substitute for mechanical steering. Add to that the fact that they deliver performance on a budget, and it’s easy to see why so many owners are in no hurry to switch to hydraulic.

Low resistance mechanical steering cables for boats are all that’s needed to ensure your boat stays on course at all times. No matter if you’re repowering for serious performance, or just like to feel what your boat’s doing, mechanical steering is still the only way to go.