Boat Steering Cables

The steering system on a boat can be mechanical or hydraulic, depending on the size of boat, engine power, and some other aspects. The simplest steering mechanism is a tiller installed with an outboard engine, however, some owners seek to upgrade it to a more complex mechanical system with a steering wheel. Unlike cars using a shaft to engage the rack-and-pinion assembly, boats utilize a rotary or rack-and-pinion helm and a long cable connected to the outboard motor or rudder. Driven by the steering wheel, the helm pulls or pushes the cable to turn the rudder left or right.

Most boats come with a single cable, while those equipped with more powerful motors (more than 130 hp approximately) usually employ a dual-cable system. In order to provide smooth action and resist corrosion, a metal cable core is placed in a plastic jacket and lubed with special marine-grade grease. Besides, a quality cable features stainless steel output ends responsible for attaching it to other parts. If the cable is damaged, it's highly recommended to replace it rather than try to repair it, for safety reasons. Check out our online collection of boat steering cables for quality replacements.