Looking for guidance and source for obtaining a replacement steering cable for my '96 26x... heard 10ft would be appropriate... replaced the gear box two weeks ago due to skipping but now I have no steering at all! Thanks... Dan "Dan's Dream" '96 26x Lynn, MA
'96 26x Broken Steering Cable
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Must be a common problem!
From comments on this site, the steering cable/box seems to last about 10 years on a 26X. Mine is very hard to steer and I have taken several moves to help it, but suspect that I will be buying a new steering system soon. Mine is currently Teleflex. Don't know exactly how long. Last week I cracked the box and greased it- that helped some. Then I found that the engine immobilizing bolt had been tightened. Loosening that helped a lot. Maybe all of us with older 26X's and teleflex steering should write the company and see if they would help. It is pretty obvious that it is defective. I am a little leary of replacing with another Teleflex if they don't help out. Any other ideas would be great.
From comments on this site, the steering cable/box seems to last about 10 years on a 26X. Mine is very hard to steer and I have taken several moves to help it, but suspect that I will be buying a new steering system soon. Mine is currently Teleflex. Don't know exactly how long. Last week I cracked the box and greased it- that helped some. Then I found that the engine immobilizing bolt had been tightened. Loosening that helped a lot. Maybe all of us with older 26X's and teleflex steering should write the company and see if they would help. It is pretty obvious that it is defective. I am a little leary of replacing with another Teleflex if they don't help out. Any other ideas would be great.
Call Gail at Bluewater yachts
(800) 688-8626 Sher'll get you dialed in for a little over $100. Did it last year to Panacea.
(800) 688-8626 Sher'll get you dialed in for a little over $100. Did it last year to Panacea.
Mac 26X st. cable
Hi Had the same problem.Mine stuck in the midle of the harbor 2 years after I bought the 26X new.It was all rusty. I bought a new one and is still ok after 4 years.I dont like this part of Mac. Somebody gave me this link. I haven't use this cable but seems ok.The problem appears mostly at the lower part, conection to the engine. Alot of water splashes there and gets inside.If you covered this part with a flexible hose and alot of grease, it will last longer George
Hi Had the same problem.Mine stuck in the midle of the harbor 2 years after I bought the 26X new.It was all rusty. I bought a new one and is still ok after 4 years.I dont like this part of Mac. Somebody gave me this link. I haven't use this cable but seems ok.The problem appears mostly at the lower part, conection to the engine. Alot of water splashes there and gets inside.If you covered this part with a flexible hose and alot of grease, it will last longer George
It's called maintenance
I don't think the cables are defective. From what I've read 10 years is a good lifespan for a flexible steering cable. Add it to the long and growing list of maintenance items you check annually and everything will be ok.
I don't think the cables are defective. From what I've read 10 years is a good lifespan for a flexible steering cable. Add it to the long and growing list of maintenance items you check annually and everything will be ok.
Defective
It seems to me that most of the 26X's have this problem. Some as new as 2 years old. The problem is lubrication, but the company did not make it easy to grease the system. No zerks or other grease points. Complete disassembly is the only maintenance alternative. Are they just trying to sell more cables? I don't understand how autos can have permanent wheel bearings but boats can't have permanently lubricated steering cables. Engineered to fail?
It seems to me that most of the 26X's have this problem. Some as new as 2 years old. The problem is lubrication, but the company did not make it easy to grease the system. No zerks or other grease points. Complete disassembly is the only maintenance alternative. Are they just trying to sell more cables? I don't understand how autos can have permanent wheel bearings but boats can't have permanently lubricated steering cables. Engineered to fail?
S
Steve Paul
Price is everything
Mac makes what I believe is a fatal mistake. However, most Mac owners forgive their cheapness and love their Mac's. Mac makes every effort to keep costs down below what I believe is acceptable in some instances. You'll notice the Mac boats are right on the edge of cost effectiveness, that's not to say they aren't good boats. They're just not overbuilt in any direction. If it's possible you should find a way to add a lube cup or greaser to these cables. Think motorcyle cables, I know they used to make an oil cup that fit over the cable and then oil was applied and allowed to seep down into the cable chase. Just an idea, don't know if it's possible anymore with these manufactured designs. I know if you're replacing the cable this would be an option I'd want, that is to be able to add grease. Steve P.
Mac makes what I believe is a fatal mistake. However, most Mac owners forgive their cheapness and love their Mac's. Mac makes every effort to keep costs down below what I believe is acceptable in some instances. You'll notice the Mac boats are right on the edge of cost effectiveness, that's not to say they aren't good boats. They're just not overbuilt in any direction. If it's possible you should find a way to add a lube cup or greaser to these cables. Think motorcyle cables, I know they used to make an oil cup that fit over the cable and then oil was applied and allowed to seep down into the cable chase. Just an idea, don't know if it's possible anymore with these manufactured designs. I know if you're replacing the cable this would be an option I'd want, that is to be able to add grease. Steve P.
Steve, you may be right
Macgregor may have ordered the cheapest steering system for its most expensive boats, but it seems to me that this would be incredibly stupid. Steering on a boat is the most important safety system on it. Would an auto manufacturer knowingly put defective brakes on a car? I can't believe that Macgregor would do such a thing. Steering failure can mean life threatening problems on a vessel which can travel far from shore. If the steering goes out in a crowded harbor, disaster can easily result. Teleflex manufactured the steering system and they knew about the problem, since these systems are not new. I would suggest that Teleflex is responsible for this problem. I think they should fix it. Anybody else interested in going after Teleflex with a bunch of complaints? Have you been harmed? A lawsuit?
Macgregor may have ordered the cheapest steering system for its most expensive boats, but it seems to me that this would be incredibly stupid. Steering on a boat is the most important safety system on it. Would an auto manufacturer knowingly put defective brakes on a car? I can't believe that Macgregor would do such a thing. Steering failure can mean life threatening problems on a vessel which can travel far from shore. If the steering goes out in a crowded harbor, disaster can easily result. Teleflex manufactured the steering system and they knew about the problem, since these systems are not new. I would suggest that Teleflex is responsible for this problem. I think they should fix it. Anybody else interested in going after Teleflex with a bunch of complaints? Have you been harmed? A lawsuit?
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Steve Paul
Ed, here's the truth
Ed, I worked in design engineering, QC Mgr, Field Engineering Mgr and Sales Mgr for a well known Electronics firm that is now practically dead. I can tell you YES, companies will knowingly put marginal and even defective parts out on new equipment. We did it every day. All that is required is to get past the labor and material warranty period. I don't know how you make your living but in the corporate world it's all about the bucks, the big guys bonus and even the mid-mgr guys bonus. You say this cable works ok for 2,3 or 4 years then that's long enough. I'm guessing the warranty was 90 days or 1 year. You've got to understand the game that's why I say Roger MacGregor buys to the minimum standard. That doesn't mean he's a bad guy, it just means you get a pretty nice boat a lot cheaper. I loved my Mac, you just have to understand the game. ie. I have a 2001 Suburban with defective parking brakes. Somewhere between the mid 90's and 2002 all GM parking brakes were defective by design. Did they change them? No, they will sell you the parts to fix it though. It's all a compromise. You can go after Teleflex but they sold what Roger ordered. I'd still take a rat tail file, cut a small slot in each end of the cable shield and find a way to keep it oiled or greased. Still say check with a motorcycle shop for grease cups for cables. Good discussion, hope nobody's mad at me but it's the truth as I know it. Steve P.
Ed, I worked in design engineering, QC Mgr, Field Engineering Mgr and Sales Mgr for a well known Electronics firm that is now practically dead. I can tell you YES, companies will knowingly put marginal and even defective parts out on new equipment. We did it every day. All that is required is to get past the labor and material warranty period. I don't know how you make your living but in the corporate world it's all about the bucks, the big guys bonus and even the mid-mgr guys bonus. You say this cable works ok for 2,3 or 4 years then that's long enough. I'm guessing the warranty was 90 days or 1 year. You've got to understand the game that's why I say Roger MacGregor buys to the minimum standard. That doesn't mean he's a bad guy, it just means you get a pretty nice boat a lot cheaper. I loved my Mac, you just have to understand the game. ie. I have a 2001 Suburban with defective parking brakes. Somewhere between the mid 90's and 2002 all GM parking brakes were defective by design. Did they change them? No, they will sell you the parts to fix it though. It's all a compromise. You can go after Teleflex but they sold what Roger ordered. I'd still take a rat tail file, cut a small slot in each end of the cable shield and find a way to keep it oiled or greased. Still say check with a motorcycle shop for grease cups for cables. Good discussion, hope nobody's mad at me but it's the truth as I know it. Steve P.
Nobody's mad at you
I am certain what you are saying is true. That is the way these guys think. But that doesn't protect me and my family very well. In a bad accident caused by this problem, I think they could easily be liable. Not a warranty issue, but a legal one. Remember the Ford Pinto? Trading people's lives for a few dollars can cost a lot of money if you get sued. BTW, I am a lawyer. No, I am not looking for work.
I am certain what you are saying is true. That is the way these guys think. But that doesn't protect me and my family very well. In a bad accident caused by this problem, I think they could easily be liable. Not a warranty issue, but a legal one. Remember the Ford Pinto? Trading people's lives for a few dollars can cost a lot of money if you get sued. BTW, I am a lawyer. No, I am not looking for work.
R
richard
When I first got my 26s...
I had steering wheel envy. But, as I learned to sail and got used to the tiller I found myself really enjoying the feel of sailing with a tiller. This post is yet another reason for keeping the solid simplicity my tiller!
I had steering wheel envy. But, as I learned to sail and got used to the tiller I found myself really enjoying the feel of sailing with a tiller. This post is yet another reason for keeping the solid simplicity my tiller!
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Steve Paul
Tiller envy not misplaced
I now have wheel boat that's too heavy for a tiller but I agree. I like the tiller feel, it's like being part of the boat and I miss it. Ed, you sound like I did 40 years ago, replace the steering cable and go sailing. You'll be the better for it. Best advice I can give you. Steve P.
I now have wheel boat that's too heavy for a tiller but I agree. I like the tiller feel, it's like being part of the boat and I miss it. Ed, you sound like I did 40 years ago, replace the steering cable and go sailing. You'll be the better for it. Best advice I can give you. Steve P.
Right On!
Funny you would say that, richard. I too like the feel of a tiller. So much so that I am putting a tiller on the 26X, partly for fun and better sailing and partly for a spare way to steer if the cable goes out. I will protect myself, but think how many people read these posts and started thinking about the problem before they got in a jam. (277 so far)
Funny you would say that, richard. I too like the feel of a tiller. So much so that I am putting a tiller on the 26X, partly for fun and better sailing and partly for a spare way to steer if the cable goes out. I will protect myself, but think how many people read these posts and started thinking about the problem before they got in a jam. (277 so far)
Same steering problem on 2002 26X
My steering has been giving me problems since I bought the boat 3 yrs ago. I complained to the dealer, he said it was ok. I put a Raymarine Sport Pilot on it last year and it can hardly turn the boat to keep it on course. I have play in the rack and pinion box and the cable is hard to move. I am thinking of replacing the whole mechanism. I don't like the way they run the cable in the first place. It hangs down 6 inches into the sleeping berth! Any modification pix in this area would be appreciated. I plan to grease it next time I'm up there.
My steering has been giving me problems since I bought the boat 3 yrs ago. I complained to the dealer, he said it was ok. I put a Raymarine Sport Pilot on it last year and it can hardly turn the boat to keep it on course. I have play in the rack and pinion box and the cable is hard to move. I am thinking of replacing the whole mechanism. I don't like the way they run the cable in the first place. It hangs down 6 inches into the sleeping berth! Any modification pix in this area would be appreciated. I plan to grease it next time I'm up there.
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