1998 Sport Nautique steering cable replacement

[nautiquesonly]

I have a 1998 Sport Nautique I purchased from the original owner last August with only 372 hrs on it. He purchased and had the boat serviced by SE Correct Craft and the boat is great. I did notice that when I purchased it the steering was a bit tight but not bad, he told me he had the cable replaced about 2 years ago and I have the receipt. I am finding that the steering is tighter now and this is not normal. My question is how do you get access to the where the cable comes into the block and the rudder? Anyone replace these on this model and year before? I have the boat on my lift so it is used 3-4 times a week and I am going to take care of this this winter. I appreciate any help here.

[jasper]

I"m anxious to hear a response on this one. Mine is coming up for similar work. Lots of knowledge on this site.

[mf01]

It's probably a little different for you, but I removed my engine cover, removed the back seat, and removed the floor panel. Then I was able to access the rudder box. I disconnected the cable and tied an old ski rope to it. I then pulled it through from the steering wheel. After that you can feed the new cable back with the ski rope.

I would purchase the cable from whitelake, since CC uses weird sizes.

[mndanielsncsu]

I did the exact same thing as mf01 described to replace the cable on my '93 Sport. My cable got a little hung up in the tube under the floor under the dash up to the motor, but after wiggling it around, it finally came through.

Also purchased it from White Lake and used the PN discount.

[Cherasho]

The steering cable on my 2001 Air has become tight... do I need to completely replace it or can it otherwise be repaired?

[WakeSlayer]

You need to replace it. You can disconnect from the rudder first, to make sure it isn't your rudder port, but it is likely just the cable. Some guys try to lubricate stiff cables. My vote is replace. Make sure you get it from Whitelake or the like, Correct Craft uses specific proprietary lengths and throws on theirs, and you cannot use generics.

[Cibolasam]

If you gain access like was previously posted, instead of pulling a ski rope through you can cut the rack off at the steering wheel and duct tape tightly the new cable to the cut off old cable so when you pull it through your new cable is installed at the same time. Note also send a rope through with it for anything you might want to send through in the future.

[WakeSlayer]

^^good advice^^ but I would fish a wire through there as it won't get all nasty like a rope will.

[Cibolasam]

Sorry, I forgot to specify nylon rope or an old spectra wakeboard rope.

[druby]

Can anyone tell me how to get the White Lake discount?

[NautiqueJeff]

Click their banner at the top of the screen. The instructions are there.