13-footer with notched 15-inch transom steering

Repair or modification of Boston Whaler boats, their engines, trailers, and gear
jamesnovak
Posts: 15
Joined: Sun Aug 30, 2020 3:23 pm

13-footer with notched 15-inch transom steering

Postby jamesnovak » Wed May 19, 2021 12:19 pm

I am in the middle of restoring a 1970 13-footer. I am just mounting a 2001 Mercury 30-HP FOURSTROKE short-shaft engine. The wire-rope-and-pulley steering system is now replaced with mechanical cable steering.

The mechanical cable steering actuator rod [passing through the Tilt Tube on the engine] seems to hit the transom cutout as illustrated below.

IMG_0282.jpg
Fig. 1. Interference fit
IMG_0282.jpg (70.4 KiB) Viewed 2722 times


What is the solution to this problem?

ASIDE: Link to my overall restoration project is here in case you're interested: https://jamesanthonynovak.wixsite.com/whaler13project

jimh
Posts: 11672
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:25 pm
Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
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Re: Problem - steering rod hitting transom

Postby jimh » Thu May 20, 2021 10:32 am

The general solution is to NOT use a through the tilt tube mounting. The actuator is held by a gimbal mounting bracket. A clevis attaches the end of the actuator to the engine tiller arm.

Read this archived thread on exactly the same topic:

viewtopic.php?t=683

padrefigure
Posts: 91
Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2015 9:26 pm
Location: Texas, Hill Country

Re: 13-footer with notched 15-inch transom steering

Postby padrefigure » Fri May 28, 2021 10:14 am

The tilt tube steering rod bumps against the transom cut out. I wonder if you could create clearance by fabricating a simple engine bracket that steps back a couple of inches. The curved transom would be a challenge.