How to run the steering cable

[spyderwebb]

My problem is that I cant get the 12inch shaft thru the hole of the floor board. Once its all thru, Ill be good to go.

From what I am gathering, I have to cut open the hole in the floor to about 3inches in diameter (currently its under 2inches) this will give me enough room to get the shaft thru.

I don't think you need to cut the floor, not to mention that would probably open up a whole new can of worms

I didn't have much problem feeding the first two feet in, it was a little tight so I pulled the rope as I fed it in, but it was certainly in front of the tank when the two feet or so was in.

Actually I kind of had to feed it slightly forward to get it in that far. As a matter of fact once I got it in that far it wasn't coming back out so I had to get it through... or be the guy taking the boat to the shop with the cable stuck half in and half out....one hand scratching my head an the other reaching for my wallet, as the boat mechanics had thier laugh for the day,,,I didn't want to be that guy!

[spyderwebb]

loosening the gas tank and prying it up is the only way I have heard of to get the cable under.

We should come up with a better cable that makes it easier to install....any ENGINEERS out there!!!!?????????

I too lossened the tank but in the end I don't think it really gained me anything, just created more work, and then the concern that all the gas fumes could ignite if I generated a spark somehow.

Doing it again I would not disconnect the tank for the two inched I was able to move it back.

[off2board]

We just replaced ours. We had to use a stick (from the gas tank access area) to push the shaft off the gas tank and then feed more cable through, so that we could get the shaft horizontal so that we could pull it through. We pushed the shaft through perpendicular to the boat, then rotated it.

Yea...I think I know whats going on here. In most cases..where the hole in the floor to run the cable, the gas tank is not directly under it. Mine is. I cant run my shaft thru perpendicular cause my tank is about 3 inches under that hole. For others...it appears that the hole that is in the floor is bigger than my hole. Looks like I have to rotozip around the hole to open it up.

[off2board]

I don't think you need to cut the floor, not to mention that would probably open up a whole new can of worms

I didn't have much problem feeding the first two feet in, it was a little tight so I pulled the rope as I fed it in, but it was certainly in front of the tank when the two feet or so was in.

Actually I kind of had to feed it slightly forward to get it in that far. As a matter of fact once I got it in that far it wasn't coming back out so I had to get it through... or be the guy taking the boat to the shop with the cable stuck half in and half out....one hand scratching my head an the other reaching for my wallet, as the boat mechanics had thier laugh for the day,,,I didn't want to be that guy!

I dont think we are on the same page here. your talking about the difficulties of running the cable, once you have gotten the 12inch steel shaft (that you connect to your rudder) thru the hole. I cant get that far. I cannot get that shaft thru the 2inch hole thats in my floor. I cant just drop it in, cause the gas tank is directly under the hole, I cant angle it in, cause the hole is too small and the gas tank is too close to the floor. the only way I can see to get the steel shaft (not talking about the cable) thru is by cutting the hole bigger.
When you ran your cable...you no doubt started with the steel shaft first..and fished it into the hole...how did you get the shaft all the way thru the hole to under your floor?

[spyderwebb]

Yea...I think I know whats going on here. In most cases..where the hole in the floor to run the cable, the gas tank is not directly under it. Mine is. I cant run my shaft thru perpendicular cause my tank is about 3 inches under that hole. For others...it appears that the hole that is in the floor is bigger than my hole. Looks like I have to rotozip around the hole to open it up.

Bummer, You'd think that Tige could have designed that a little better especially knowing they had a tight fit going all the way back to the the 2001's & older models.

If you have to cut then I would almost suggest cutting a thin section to the area where the floor can be removed, then figure out how to put it back once the cable is in. Because once you get the rod in, it can still be a major PIA to feed it through the 2 foot section over or around the tank to the floor opening.

My tank appears to stop a few (3 or 4 estimated) inches prior to the hole in the floor where you feed the line in so the 2007 must be a bigger tank, mines 35 gal I think.

[off2board]

Bummer, You'd think that Tige could have designed that a little better especially knowing they had a tight fit going all the way back to the the 2001's & older models.

If you have to cut then I would almost suggest cutting a thin section to the area where the floor can be removed, then figure out how to put it back once the cable is in. Because once you get the rod in, it can still be a major PIA to feed it through the 2 foot section over or around the tank to the floor opening.

My tank appears to stop a few (3 or 4 estimated) inches prior to the hole in the floor where you feed the line in so the 2007 must be a bigger tank, mines 35 gal I think.

Ahhhh...your tank is before the hole...I see now. Welp...rotozip it is...its really not a big deal..that square piece will cover the hole anyway. I talked to one guy...he said his hole was 3inch...if mine were...I could do it. Im going to take some before and after pics today to show my problem and solution...once thru, it will be smooth sailing....NOT.
Dont even need the dang bigger tank (if it is bigger than yours) the most thats in it at a time is 15 gallons. Now if there was a marina on the lake...different story.

Thanks for your input. I do appreciate it.

[spyderwebb]

Yep that's the deal; According to the specs page you've got a 47 gallon tank on that boat, mine is only 40. The extra 7 gallons must extend further forward. Yours may require removal or moving the tank back to do the job.

[Matt Garcia]

I am curius though if others had to cut out that hole like I will have to, in order to get the shaft thru.

Yes. I had to do the same on mine. I made the hole in the helm area and ballast line bigger since it was impossible to run the shaft in the existing hole. Here was I did, hopefully I can explain it clearly.

Starting from the rear of the boat I worked the cable up to the starboard ballast line hole (had to make that one bigger). The cable pointed straight towards the bow of the boat.

Then I did a 180 and went through the vertical wall of the helm kick board and straight to the steering wheel.

Its hard to visualize and wish I had a picture of it but it was the only way that I could see working. I didnt mind the extra cutting since the helm area is covered by my fire extinguisher and the front hole is covered by the starboard seat base hatch.

I think when Tige installs the steering cables the boat must not have its gas tank in. Its near impossible to get that long shaft in the existing cut outs.

I know the exact trouble you are going through and me and a boat mechanic friend had the same conundrum. Trust me cut the holes bigger and it will be a lot easier.

[off2board]

Yes. I had to do the same on mine. I made the hole in the helm area and ballast line bigger since it was impossible to run the shaft in the existing hole. Here was I did, hopefully I can explain it clearly.

Starting from the rear of the boat I worked the cable up to the starboard ballast line hole (had to make that one bigger). The cable pointed straight towards the bow of the boat.

Then I did a 180 and went through the vertical wall of the helm kick board and straight to the steering wheel.

Its hard to visualize and wish I had a picture of it but it was the only way that I could see working. I didnt mind the extra cutting since the helm area is covered by my fire extinguisher and the front hole is covered by the starboard seat base hatch.

I think when Tige installs the steering cables the boat must not have its gas tank in. Its near impossible to get that long shaft in the existing cut outs.

I know the exact trouble you are going through and me and a boat mechanic friend had the same conundrum. Trust me cut the holes bigger and it will be a lot easier.

Yea...I finished it up yesterday...I was pretty proud of myself considering I did it alone. Too bad none of my friends can appreciate what was involved
I posted some pics of my outcome in the 'how to' section. I cut the hole jussssst big enough...if I cut the hole any bigger, you would of seen it after you put that corner piece back. So even the size I cut...it was purdy tight going in, but got it. I had a broom stick jammed under the floor, sitting below the shaft and I just yanked on the wire I had attached to the shaft, and it just popped ontop of the gas tank. (after running it into the hole..it was heading towards the bow in sort of a side groove thats on the tank). I dont know if I got lucky or what.
On a side note though...in the back, where it connect to the rudder...the steel tube that mounts to the swivel bracket (that you run the cable shaft thru) has sort of a rubber boot on the end of it. My rubber boot doesnt stay on the tube...and just sort of rides along with the shaft as it goes in and out...seems to me this needs to glued (and sealed) back onto the tube ey?
(I know the answer, but I am just hoping that with the newer type cable SSC15XX that water wont affect it.