Steering Clear: The Advantages of Ultraflex Mechanical Steering Cables for Boats

It’s not uncommon for boat owners to be undecided about whether they prefer mechanical or hydraulic steering systems. Each has its own benefits, but make no mistake: when it comes to responsiveness and simplicity, mechanical systems are hands down favourites for all-round performance.

The fact is, while mechanical steering cables have always held an advantage over hydraulical systems for spontaneous helm control, innovations in steering cable designed and construction have raised the bar on their performance even further. Today’s low friction steering cables offer longer length, greater strength, and more reliability than ever; that’s why they’re the perfect solution for owners who are looking to replace an aged existing cable, or are contemplating repowering their boats and want a new cable that’s built for action.

Ultraflex Steering Cables Keep You Headed in the Right Direction

It’s a fact: while steering cables are still considered to be indicators of low-cost/low-tech steering systems, a high-quality Ultraflex control or steering cable for boats is all you need to improve your system’s performance. Ultraflex manufactures a full range of single and dual control cables for almost every inboard, sterndrive, and outboard engine produced over the last 50 years, and their low-restriction cables are engineered specifically to combine the easy, predictable characteristics of a hydraulic system, with the crisp, unparalleled responsiveness that you expect from a mechanical system.

Ultraflex’s high-efficiency stainless steel-tipped boat steering cables are designed to smooth out the operation of, and maximize the natural advantages that mechanical systems have over fluid-actuated equivalents, including electronic fly-by-wire systems. These highly flexible marine steering cables are designed for long and complex tilt tube routes up to 40′, and are the right choice for:

• Instantaneous steering input. Ultraflex steering cables are engineered to enhance a mechanical steering system’s ability to provide precise helm feedback, especially when used with a mechanical power assist system.
• Confident course changes. Ultraflex push-pull cable assemblies provide exceptionally smooth operation, allowing quicker course changes without the need to contend with oversteer or prop walk.
• Maximum Safety. Ultraflex’s maintenance-free, positive-positioning cables eliminate the need to perform frequent course corrections to compensate for wandering, and ultimately to lessen the possibility of a dangerous over-correction to take place.

With minimum bend radiuses of 200mm and stroke lengths up to 95mm, Ultraflex boat steering cable assemblies are designed to eliminate the unwanted cable movement and backlash that could lead to cable damage. No other marine steering cable is better suited to transition turning action from the helm into fluid push-pull movement at the powered end, and that’s particularly important when your boat’s been outfitted with a powerplant other than the one it was manufactured with.

Successful Repowering Begins with the Right Steering Cable

If you’re considering repowering your boat, you already know that an engine swap is more than just a convenient way to increase power and performance. It’s also a way to increase your boat’s lifespan and resale value, which is why you need to carefully consider critical mechanicals like the kind of steering cables boats need to support larger powerplants.

Ultraflex premium single, and dual steering cables for boat engines help reduce the feedback and vibration that’s to be expected when repowering to a bigger, torquier engine. With a host of crucial boating hardware and compatibility concerns that need to be addressed when repowering, you can trust Ultraflex steering cables for boats to simplify the process by allowing you to:

• Safely and confidently repower your boat for speeds exceeding 110km/h;
• Reliably eliminate the buckling and high-speed instability that’s transmitted to the helm; and,
• Ensure your steering system is fully outfitted with maintenance-free, abrasion-resistant cabling.

By opting to forego swapping to hydraulics after repowering, Ultraflex steering cables allow boat owners to avoid steering systems that are easily overpowered by steering loads, routinely require spinning from lock to lock to maintain control, or are regularly plagued by oversteering problems. They are engineered strictly around performance, and they’re the perfect choice for repowered projects turning out more than 150hp, or are hulled for high speed.

Know What to Look for When Doing Cable Inspections

While Ultraflex steering cables offer a full range of advantages from less weight and complexity, to increased stability and responsiveness, the key to cable integrity still resides with maintenance. And with their UV-, chemical-, and abrasion-resistant qualities notwithstanding, Ultraflex cables still require regular inspections to ensure that they’re free from any damage that could be brought on by tight bends or excessive use.

In spite of their high resistance outer jackets, mechanical steering systems need cleaning and lubricating, and it’s a process that involves:

• Carefully inspecting your steering cable(s) for stress, friction, or corrosion;
• Make sure that your tilt tube is free from rust and debris;
• Ensuring that the inside of the tilt tube is properly lubricated;
• Cleaning and lubricating the telescopic ram; and,
• Making sure that the cable assembly is free from any damaged, or missing parts.

A semi-annual inspection schedule is the best way to make sure that your mechanical steering cable is operating properly, and free from damage. Once you’ve noticed, however, that your steering is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain or correct, a new high-performance Ultraflex cable is what you’ll need to regain your control.

The Final Word

At the end of the day, if you’re not comfortable with your boat’s steering, or are contemplating repowering, you need to pay special attention to your steering cable. Not only can it make or break your boat’s performance, it can directly impact safety, so you want to be sure that you’re outfitted with the best cable available.

With a high-quality Ultraflex control or steering cable for boats, you know you have the best cable at your disposal. It’s a performance investment that you won’t regret making.