Marine Steering & Control FAQ
Marine Steering & Control
- Are replacement gears available for Dometic helms?
- I just bought a steering kit and I would like the steering shaft to be at an angle to the dash. The bezel kit included in the steering kit only allows a 90 degree mount. Which parts do I need?
- How do I install a steering wheel so it is centered when the engine is in "straight-ahead" position?
- I would like to upgrade the steering in my boat to tilt steering. What steps do I need to take?
- I just bought a NFB (no-feedback) helm and cannot turn the shaft by hand. Why?
- How do I know which length of steering cable I need?
- I'm replacing a Dometic rack & pinion cable in a 1985 boat. I ordered an SSC134 "The Rack" cable and it won't connect to the helm. What's the problem?
- I need a link arm to connect the steering cable outputram to the tiller of an outboard. Can I get the link arm from Dometic?
- I need to replace the steering system on my boat, but I looked at the back of the helm and saw it was not made by Dometic. I want to install a Dometic system, but how do I know which one I should get?
- I want to install an autopilot on a boat with cable steering. What do I need?
- How do I remove the steering cable from the engine's tilt tube?
- The steering cable's core wire is broken. How can this be repaired?
- My steering cable is stiff/stuck and won't move properly when I turn the wheel. What should I do?
- I've heard steering cables should be maintained. How exactly is this done?
- I have a [model/year] boat and [model/year] engine. How do I hook up my steering cable to the engine?
- The steering cable is stuck in the engine's tilt tube. What should I do?
- Are there any "tricks" to installing a steering system? Is there anything I should definitely avoid doing?
- What size steering wheel should I use?
- My boat has a [brand name] engine. What kind of control cables do I need?
- Can I use a dual function control in a dual station boat?
- I want to add a station to my boat. What do I need to do?
- I have a Teleflex control from 1989 and I need internal parts. Are any available?
- My control used to work fine, but now one lever is hard to move. What should I do to fix this?
- How do I set up the CH5200P?
- How do I know which control cable I need?
- How do I know which control cable length I need?
- What kind of ongoing maintenance do control cables need? Can they be repaired?
- What are trim tabs and what do they do?
- How do I know if my boat needs trim tabs?
- How do you use trim tabs?
- Is the installation of trim tabs difficult?
- How do trim tabs improve fuel economy?
- How do you determine what trim tab size you need?
- What makes Dometic Trim Tab Systems different/better?
Jackplates
- Why use a jackplate?
- How does it work?
- Do I get better gas mileage?
- How do I know which setback to choose from?
- What makes SeaStar Jackplates better than the competition?
- Do jackplates come with a switch?
- Will a SeaStar Jackplate fit the bolt pattern on my transom?
- Does the jackplate wiring harness come with relays?
- What is the SeaStar Jackplate warranty?
- How long does it take to install a jackplate?
- When I raise my SeaStar Jackplate all the way up, after 5 minutes, the engine goes back to its lowest position. Is the jackplate losing some hydraulic fluid? Is there air in the system? Is there a leak?
- My gauge is jumping around before settling in the correct position. Why?
- Do SeaStar Jackplates have a manual release?
- I installed the jackplate and it looks like it will knock off a steering cylinder if I move it down. Why?
- I installed the jackplate and it moves down when I move the switch up. What do I do?
- What is the amperage load for hydraulic jackplates?
- What is the vertical travel of manual jackplates?
- What is the weight of the manual jackplates?
- Do anchoring systems like Power Pole or Talon attach to SeaStar Standard and Xtreme Jackplates?
- What is the vertical travel of Standard and Xtreme Jackplates?
- What is the weight of the jackplates?
- What is a built-in lift on a jackplate?