Steering disconnect with a 90hp outboard

[beechkingd]

I have the BWY steering disconnect link on my boat. Has anyone used it on a 90hp (or larger) install and had any issues with it?

https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/5712-1x0.htm

[C Buchs]

I have a 2001 and my friend has a 2000 and we're both installing etec 90's now.



Our 's have the steering disconnect, but don't have the fixed standoff. We just ordered that piece to add it.

I don't think there is a problem with larger outboards. Gazman (a fellow MacGregorSailor) has a 115hp etec on his and I saw pictures that included the disconnect standoff on his boat. He has a platform over all his steering linkage, control cables, and wiring. It was mounted on that platform. I'm pretty sure he said he used it, but I'm not positive. If you search threads for "transom" you should be able to find the picture. Maybe he can chime in.

Jeff

[beechkingd]

Great I was just curious when I noticed that they only mentioned 50hp.

[Inquisitor]

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Gosh! I sure like that big, open rear-end on the X!

[LeePierce]

Have an X with an older Johnson two stroke 120 with the disconnect.
My issue's = the motor is not balanced so if left connected to the steering, it will spin my wheel completely to one side or the other.
This was not a problem with the honda 50.
The disconnect seems mostly fine but the end connectors rely on a spring mechanism that gives me trouble.
I had to modify to keep the springs in place.
Otherwise it works fine.
Ideally the motor would balance when in the up position and we would not need the disconnect.
What issues are you concerned about?

[C Buchs]

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Gosh! I sure like that big, open rear-end on the X!

We put these 5-degree transom wedges https://thmarinesupplies.com/collection ... nsom-wedge and these two-piece manual jack plates that set the motor back another 5-1/2 inches https://thmarinesupplies.com/collection ... 8932197419. All told, the motors sit back about 7 additional inches. I love the extra room! We'll update everyone after we get them on the water.

Jeff

[pitchpolehobie]

So what're you doing with the old motors?

[C Buchs]

So what're you doing with the old motors?

We have a Suzuki 50 and a Honda 50 that will both be for sale as soon as we get around to it. We're in SW Washington near Portland, OR.

Jeff

[beechkingd]

What issues are you concerned about?

Really just strength, since BWY has 50hp listed on the description and to me the lock collar setup seems a little thin walled around the ball. I've had no issues with mine so far, but it's only been used with a 30hp. I hadn't seen anyone mention steering mods for larger repowers, but appreciate the responses of no issues.

[Inquisitor]

What issues are you concerned about?

Really just strength, since BWY has 50hp listed on the description and the to me the lock collar setup seems a little thin walled around the ball. I've had no issues with mine so far, but it's only been used with a 30hp. I hadn't seen anyone mention steering mods for larger repowers, but appreciate the responses of no issues.

I didn't see where you mention which 90. There might be a lot of differences between their weight. Another important factor is how it balances on its axes. A heavy one might be balanced so well that you could rotate it by hand even with a 45 degree heel... thus not really loading up the quick disconnect.
My Mercury 60hp BigFoot weighs a stoutly 250 pounds. Since that is the motor the factory had on their demo, I'm sure the bracket was meant to handle at-least that. I once made the stupid mistake of trying to disconnect it once heeled over. I won't do that again.

[Kopfjager]

I have a 2014 , which is basically a 26M. I installed the steering quick disconnect on my boat. We also have an Etec 90. I didn't really do anything other than follow the provided instructions and everything came out perfect. The motor will raise completely out of the water and lower all the way whether it's attached to the steering arm or the disconnect. No issues at all and pound for pound, one of the best mods you can do.

[C Buchs]

When I took the ball side of the socket out of my old outboard the threads didn't come out too well. So I thought I should replace it. I didn't see the ball part of the socket offered separately on the BWY site, so I went looking. I found that Panther Marine makes two different quick disconnects that are visually and dimensionally exactly the same as what BWY provides. The part numbers are 55-5100 zinc plated (available here https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002I ... 0DER&psc=1) and 55-5200 stainless steel (available here https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TT ... 0DER&psc=1. The problem with both of these is that they specifically say not to use on outboards over 25hp. If these are what BWY is selling, then my 50hp was double their rating and my new 90hp will be almost quadruple their rating. That worries me!!! With that said, my 50 was using them for 20 years and they still look totally fine.

Kopfjager and anyone else with experience:
How long have you been using them? Would you say you've been relatively hard on your steering? How are they holding up?

Jeff

[Kopfjager]

When I took the ball side of the socket out of my old outboard the threads didn't come out too well. So I thought I should replace it. I didn't see the ball part of the socket offered separately on the BWY site, so I went looking. I found that Panther Marine makes two different quick disconnects that are visually and dimensionally exactly the same as what BWY provides. The part numbers are 55-5100 zinc plated (available here https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002I ... 0DER&psc=1) and 55-5200 stainless steel (available here https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TT ... 0DER&psc=1. The problem with both of these is that they specifically say not to use on outboards over 25hp. If these are what BWY is selling, then my 50hp was double their rating and my new 90hp will be almost quadruple their rating. That worries me!!! With that said, my 50 was using them for 20 years and they still look totally fine.

Kopfjager and anyone else with experience:
How long have you been using them? Would you say you've been relatively hard on your steering? How are they holding up?

Jeff

I've had mine installed for a year. I don't baby it in any way. I bolted the standoff bracket securely and bedded it with 5200. It's not going anywhere. I've had the motor connected to the bracket going down the road just to see if it would budge. It didn't. On the water it's as secure as it can be. I didn't really do anything special. Just followed the instructions.

[C Buchs]

Thanks for the reply. Rather than hijack this thread further, I've started a new thread about some problems we're having with getting the geometry right. Please check it out here viewtopic.php?f=8&t=28229.

Jeff