"Steve Lusardi" wrote in message
...
You are correct Bob. I didn't answer that question because I don't know
the answer. I don't use cable systems except for engine controls. I do not
know how relevant that experience is to steering systems, but I can tell
you that friction is the killer in control systems. Manufacturers do not
recommend any lubrication as lubricants cause swelling of the liner tube.
I hate cable....anything else is better.

Dang Steve. I gotta respect a response like that. The lubrication point on
most steering cables is at the slide mechanism on the outboard, and it's the
only point I have ever lubricated. I do it once a year. Just enough to
load up my gun. (I hand loaded a gun with marine Triple Grease - never
wheel bearing grease for these points) Same as I lubricate the pivot on the
outboard. Most people don't even think about it if they have a good marine
shop because they do it for them as part of their "annual" service.

On your hydraulic experiences, seal failures should not occur and
certainly not at the frequency you state. Seal failures point to a system
being used beyond its design envelope. Like I said, do your own numbers.
Manufacturers make their profit from selling hulls, not accessories.
Accessories are, to them, a necessary evil because they represent a cost
item. They are always cheap acquisitions, often undersize and made from
less than optimum material. Just because the damn thing came from the
manufacturer does NOT give it credence in use.
Steve

Environment is a contributing factor. Most people don't considered that
ambient natural radiation in the desert. Of course most people don't think
about people operating boats in the desert either. Plastics and rubbers
(generic abuse of the words here) tend to degrade at an abnormal rate in SW
Az. And as I have mentioned many of the boats I am familiar push the edge
of their envelope as part of their design. Fair enough about manufacturers.
I am a communications contractor and I have experienced "uninformed beta
testing" once or twice. LOL.





"Bob La Londe" wrote in message
...
"WaIIy" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 25 Sep 2010 19:52:26 -0700, "Bob La Londe"
wrote:


Ugh! Cable bad! Juice good!

Steve. I know properly working hydraulics are superior to cable
steering,
but seriously. Is it an overriding must have or you will die when not
dealing with side torque? Especially if you already have a complete
perfectly working dual cable steering system.

You are the one that asked the question.

I didn't ask if hydraulic steering was superior to cable steering. I
asked if there was any reason other than side torque not to use a
perfectly functional cable steering system already in hand. He did not
answer that question.

Quit being such a dickhead.

But he didn't answer the question I asked, and made some statements that
are not 100% correct. While most were not majorly incorrect they still
really didn't answer the question asked. He just gave the kneejerk slap
of superiority at it and made an absolute statement that didn't really
apply to the question.

Further, he never followed up with what other maintenance cable steering
systems might need that would cost more to maintain than hydraulic
systems in his further reply.

Bob La Londe
Yuma, Az