BOAT DOCTOR///Q&Ato extend enough to provide
ample starboard turning,
it is the right length. If you
determine that it needs
replacing, bring it with you,
or at least measure it, when
buying a new cable. A rule-of-
thumb method for measuring
a steering cable is to measure
the plastic cable jacket in inch-
es, add 18 inches, and round
up to the next foot. If you are
at all unsure, check with your
dealer or SeaStar Solutions
(seastarsolutions.com).OILED AGAIN
Q: I just bought a new boat
(my third!). My dealer is
very adamant in insisting
that I never use anything
but the manufacturer’s
branded motor oil in my newto both sides and make sure it
turns freely in both direc-
tions. If it does turn freely,
your cable is indeed bad and
needs replacing. If it does
not turn fully, the helm unit
needs to be replaced.
Neither cables nor helm
units are serviceable. They
outboard. What do you say?
Burke Dennis
Tucson, ArizonaA: I say “never” is a very long
time. If you cannot source
the manufacturer’s branded
motor oil on a given day of
boating, be sure to use an oil
that is certified for use by the
National Marine Manufac-
turer’s Association for your
outboard type (two-stroke,
four-stroke or catalyst [cat]).
A list of such oils can be found
at nmma.org/certification/
oi l/fc-w.ROYAL FLUSH
Q: Boat Doctor, I recently
purchased a 2016 leftover 115
Mercury Command Thrust
outboard on a pontoon boat.must be replaced when
broken. And if we already had
an old but working cable off,
we’d probably replace it at
that point. Few things affect
safety as much as a properly
working steering system.
Better to be safe than sorry.
Since your cable appears PHOTO: COURTESY DONALD KRINGThis is the
support tube,
or tilt tube,
which is your
only adjust-
ment left
or right.