Installing 13' whaler steering system, need help!

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Author Topic:   Installing 13' whaler steering system, need help!

UglyStick posted 07-15-2009 06:26 PM ET (US)
Hello, recently got a 13 foot whaler and I'm wanting to install a steering system. Have a few questions before I get started.
First issue I noticed is that the transom is dropped (not straight across), so it doesn't seem to me that there is enough room for the control arm to freely move back and forth to turn the motor. Am I missing something here or is there a fix for this? Thank for any advice.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/Boat031.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/Boat037.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/13whaler020.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/13whaler017.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/13whaler018.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/13whaler019.jpg
pglein posted 07-15-2009 06:28 PM ET (US)
Yes, you will need to use a stand-off bracket and can not run the steering ram through the tilt tube. This is true for all notched transom 13's.
A few out there have tried to cut down the transom to accomodate the link arm. DO NOT DO THIS. It's hideously ugly and compromises the integrity of the transom and hull. Just buy a stand-off bracket from a marine supply store and you'll be fine.
UglyStick posted 07-15-2009 06:35 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the help, obviously I'm not the only one having this problem! My guess is that the setup is for the old pulley system. Do you have a link to a stand off bracket? Not sure I know what you mean by this.
jimh posted 07-15-2009 08:53 PM ET (US)
http://continuouswave.com/sail-logs/ottawaRiver2006/images/ 8_CamoWhaler13Transom.jpg
Tom Hemphill posted 07-15-2009 10:11 PM ET (US)
This is a very frequent topic on this forum. A search will reveal much prior discussion.
My 1966 13-foot Whaler has Teleflex steering with the steering ram run through the motor's tilt tube. There is a routed-out recess in the transom to accommodate the travel of the steering ram. It has been a satisfactory solution for me for the last 15 years, neither looking hideous (in my opinion) nor significantly compromising the integrity of the transom and hull (so far as I can tell).
phatwhaler posted 07-15-2009 10:38 PM ET (US)
Didn't someone come up with a different solution that employs a tilt tube forward of the the actual tilt tube?
I've got a friend that's in the process of rehabbing an old 13.
UglyStick posted 07-16-2009 11:46 AM ET (US)
Thanks for the help everyone! Definitely gets me to a start. Only other question I have is what trim/tilt motor are most running for this type of outboard?
jimh posted 07-16-2009 12:08 PM ET (US)
I typed the following terms into a GOOGLE search.
teleflex stand off bracket steering
The first hit was this literature from Teleflex that show precisely the arrangement needed:
http://www.teleflexmarine.com/library/marinedirectory/ TMTechCat-MechStrg(v4_0)Connection%20Kits.pdf
pglein posted 07-16-2009 01:22 PM ET (US)
UglyStick,
I am not able to follow the links to your images. What kind of motor do you have?
jimh posted 07-16-2009 01:34 PM ET (US)
It looks to me like someone cut down the transom of that Boston Whaler 13-footer. It has the sink-style splash well, and the finish and radius of the notch in the transom look to me to particularly unlike the sort of workmanship you'd expect from Boston Whaler. Compare at
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/13whaler017.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/13whaler019.jpg
You can see the rough cut into the transom and the disappearance of the beautiful green line joint. A shame, really. It looks like a previous owner butchered the boat to fit a particular motor onto it.
UglyStick posted 07-21-2009 04:52 PM ET (US)
Can anyone tell me what year this motor is? It's a model 40E0, Serial 6E9S106146. According to the chart here, http://www.storesonline.com/site/573683/page/608047 , the closest I can get is a 1988, but the model is a 40E on the chart, not a 40E0 that is on my motor. Does this make a difference?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/13whaler018.jpg
UglyStick posted 07-23-2009 12:28 PM ET (US)
Instead of installing a power trim motor, I'm thinking about just installing a jack plate. Any links to someone that has done this on a 13? Would my cut transom be an issue with this? Thanks.
cgodfrey posted 07-24-2009 04:21 AM ET (US)
40EO is factory jargon for 40 hp, Electric start, Oil injection.
Serial number would lead me to believe it's a 1987 model.
Don't bother with the jackplate. Any performance gains you might reap are not worth the cost. If 40hp isn't enough for you, you need a bigger boat.
CG

gcarlil posted 07-24-2009 06:20 PM ET (US)
I used a TH mini jacker on my 13 works very well 4" setback, allows steering cable to run outsde the transom.
George
UglyStick posted 08-13-2009 05:50 PM ET (US)
Well I've made some progress. Took the advice and purchased the Teleflex stand-off bracket, and a 10' NFB steering system (waaay too long by the way, but that's a different issue).
The problem, cannot get full extension using this stand off kit. At full turn on the wheel, the motor is barely tilted in the right direction.
See pictures, steering wheel is turned all the way to the right in all the pictures, notice the control arm is completely exposed.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/Steering001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/Steering004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/Steering003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/Steering002.jpg
A couple things, the L-bracket "tiller arm" is obviously just for testing purposes, not permanent. And the stand-off bracket isn't screwed into the transom yet, still test fitting.
Any advice anyone has got for me? I'm completely stumped with this one.
Phil T posted 08-13-2009 06:23 PM ET (US)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/Steering001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/Steering004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/Steering003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/Steering002.jpg
UglyStick posted 08-23-2009 12:15 PM ET (US)
Any help here?
AZdave posted 08-23-2009 10:37 PM ET (US)
It's been awhile since I did this on my first whaler. My suggestion would be to turn your steering to lock, then turn it back the other way while counting turns. Then move the the wheel back half that many turns so it is centered. Your outboard should face straight forward at this point. If it doesn't you will need to loosen the bolts that fix the ram to the standoff and adjust so the outboard is centered. This may not be possible to do without getting a shorter cable from Teleflex. I had to. If your turning angle is still limited, you may need to attach to the motor closer to the pivot. I had a Yamaha outboard so the details of attaching to the outboard are slightly different. I'll see if I have some pictures of my installation on the old computer. Dave
Tom Hemphill posted 08-25-2009 07:09 AM ET (US)
The excessive length of your "tiller" looks to be a problem. The attachment point needs to be closer to the motor's pivot point. And I expect that the ram would not be directly attached to the tiller, but rather to a steering link rod attached in turn to the tiller. This would allow flexibility in the for and aft positioning of the ram. Was your motor originally set up for tiller steering, and if so, is there a remote control conversion kit available for it?
pglein posted 08-25-2009 11:49 AM ET (US)
The tiller arm is way too long. It should only extend 1-2" from the motor itself.
pglein posted 08-25-2009 11:50 AM ET (US)
When using the stand-off bracket, you do not need a link arm. The pivot joint in the stand-off bracket gives the ram all the flexibility it needs to accomodate tilting of the engine.
pogie posted 08-25-2009 12:18 PM ET (US)
I was wondering what length Teleflex cable is required for a 13 sport?
creekbob posted 08-25-2009 11:59 PM ET (US)
I am in the exact same position as we speak. I moved the bracket down and rotated it 180 degrees so that I am able to keep the ski eye and still have the pivot ball at the proper height. I measured and held everyhting in place numerous times just to make sure it would work. I drilled the holes but ran into a minor set back. Turns out the 2 1/2 inch bolts arent quite long enough. All the hardware places were already closed so I couldn't get the proper bolts. I will go at it again tomorrow. I'll post some pictures once its complete.

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Author	Topic: Installing 13' whaler steering system, need help!
UglyStick	posted 07-15-2009 06:26 PM ET (US) Hello, recently got a 13 foot whaler and I'm wanting to install a steering system. Have a few questions before I get started. First issue I noticed is that the transom is dropped (not straight across), so it doesn't seem to me that there is enough room for the control arm to freely move back and forth to turn the motor. Am I missing something here or is there a fix for this? Thank for any advice. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/Boat031.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/Boat037.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/13whaler020.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/13whaler017.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/13whaler018.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/13whaler019.jpg
pglein	posted 07-15-2009 06:28 PM ET (US) Yes, you will need to use a stand-off bracket and can not run the steering ram through the tilt tube. This is true for all notched transom 13's. A few out there have tried to cut down the transom to accomodate the link arm. DO NOT DO THIS. It's hideously ugly and compromises the integrity of the transom and hull. Just buy a stand-off bracket from a marine supply store and you'll be fine.
UglyStick	posted 07-15-2009 06:35 PM ET (US) Thanks for the help, obviously I'm not the only one having this problem! My guess is that the setup is for the old pulley system. Do you have a link to a stand off bracket? Not sure I know what you mean by this.
jimh	posted 07-15-2009 08:53 PM ET (US) http://continuouswave.com/sail-logs/ottawaRiver2006/images/ 8_CamoWhaler13Transom.jpg
Tom Hemphill	posted 07-15-2009 10:11 PM ET (US) This is a very frequent topic on this forum. A search will reveal much prior discussion. My 1966 13-foot Whaler has Teleflex steering with the steering ram run through the motor's tilt tube. There is a routed-out recess in the transom to accommodate the travel of the steering ram. It has been a satisfactory solution for me for the last 15 years, neither looking hideous (in my opinion) nor significantly compromising the integrity of the transom and hull (so far as I can tell).
phatwhaler	posted 07-15-2009 10:38 PM ET (US) Didn't someone come up with a different solution that employs a tilt tube forward of the the actual tilt tube? I've got a friend that's in the process of rehabbing an old 13.
UglyStick	posted 07-16-2009 11:46 AM ET (US) Thanks for the help everyone! Definitely gets me to a start. Only other question I have is what trim/tilt motor are most running for this type of outboard?
jimh	posted 07-16-2009 12:08 PM ET (US) I typed the following terms into a GOOGLE search. teleflex stand off bracket steering The first hit was this literature from Teleflex that show precisely the arrangement needed: http://www.teleflexmarine.com/library/marinedirectory/ TMTechCat-MechStrg(v4_0)Connection%20Kits.pdf
pglein	posted 07-16-2009 01:22 PM ET (US) UglyStick, I am not able to follow the links to your images. What kind of motor do you have?
jimh	posted 07-16-2009 01:34 PM ET (US) It looks to me like someone cut down the transom of that Boston Whaler 13-footer. It has the sink-style splash well, and the finish and radius of the notch in the transom look to me to particularly unlike the sort of workmanship you'd expect from Boston Whaler. Compare at http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/13whaler017.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/13whaler019.jpg You can see the rough cut into the transom and the disappearance of the beautiful green line joint. A shame, really. It looks like a previous owner butchered the boat to fit a particular motor onto it.
UglyStick	posted 07-21-2009 04:52 PM ET (US) Can anyone tell me what year this motor is? It's a model 40E0, Serial 6E9S106146. According to the chart here, http://www.storesonline.com/site/573683/page/608047 , the closest I can get is a 1988, but the model is a 40E on the chart, not a 40E0 that is on my motor. Does this make a difference? http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/13whaler018.jpg
UglyStick	posted 07-23-2009 12:28 PM ET (US) Instead of installing a power trim motor, I'm thinking about just installing a jack plate. Any links to someone that has done this on a 13? Would my cut transom be an issue with this? Thanks.
cgodfrey	posted 07-24-2009 04:21 AM ET (US) 40EO is factory jargon for 40 hp, Electric start, Oil injection. Serial number would lead me to believe it's a 1987 model. Don't bother with the jackplate. Any performance gains you might reap are not worth the cost. If 40hp isn't enough for you, you need a bigger boat. CG
gcarlil	posted 07-24-2009 06:20 PM ET (US) I used a TH mini jacker on my 13 works very well 4" setback, allows steering cable to run outsde the transom. George
UglyStick	posted 08-13-2009 05:50 PM ET (US) Well I've made some progress. Took the advice and purchased the Teleflex stand-off bracket, and a 10' NFB steering system (waaay too long by the way, but that's a different issue). The problem, cannot get full extension using this stand off kit. At full turn on the wheel, the motor is barely tilted in the right direction. See pictures, steering wheel is turned all the way to the right in all the pictures, notice the control arm is completely exposed. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/Steering001.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/Steering004.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/Steering003.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/Steering002.jpg A couple things, the L-bracket "tiller arm" is obviously just for testing purposes, not permanent. And the stand-off bracket isn't screwed into the transom yet, still test fitting. Any advice anyone has got for me? I'm completely stumped with this one.
Phil T	posted 08-13-2009 06:23 PM ET (US) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/Steering001.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/Steering004.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/Steering003.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/jethro358/Steering002.jpg
UglyStick	posted 08-23-2009 12:15 PM ET (US) Any help here?
AZdave	posted 08-23-2009 10:37 PM ET (US) It's been awhile since I did this on my first whaler. My suggestion would be to turn your steering to lock, then turn it back the other way while counting turns. Then move the the wheel back half that many turns so it is centered. Your outboard should face straight forward at this point. If it doesn't you will need to loosen the bolts that fix the ram to the standoff and adjust so the outboard is centered. This may not be possible to do without getting a shorter cable from Teleflex. I had to. If your turning angle is still limited, you may need to attach to the motor closer to the pivot. I had a Yamaha outboard so the details of attaching to the outboard are slightly different. I'll see if I have some pictures of my installation on the old computer. Dave
Tom Hemphill	posted 08-25-2009 07:09 AM ET (US) The excessive length of your "tiller" looks to be a problem. The attachment point needs to be closer to the motor's pivot point. And I expect that the ram would not be directly attached to the tiller, but rather to a steering link rod attached in turn to the tiller. This would allow flexibility in the for and aft positioning of the ram. Was your motor originally set up for tiller steering, and if so, is there a remote control conversion kit available for it?
pglein	posted 08-25-2009 11:49 AM ET (US) The tiller arm is way too long. It should only extend 1-2" from the motor itself.
pglein	posted 08-25-2009 11:50 AM ET (US) When using the stand-off bracket, you do not need a link arm. The pivot joint in the stand-off bracket gives the ram all the flexibility it needs to accomodate tilting of the engine.
pogie	posted 08-25-2009 12:18 PM ET (US) I was wondering what length Teleflex cable is required for a 13 sport?
creekbob	posted 08-25-2009 11:59 PM ET (US) I am in the exact same position as we speak. I moved the bracket down and rotated it 180 degrees so that I am able to keep the ski eye and still have the pivot ball at the proper height. I measured and held everyhting in place numerous times just to make sure it would work. I drilled the holes but ran into a minor set back. Turns out the 2 1/2 inch bolts arent quite long enough. All the hardware places were already closed so I couldn't get the proper bolts. I will go at it again tomorrow. I'll post some pictures once its complete.