BWY Custom Steering Kit for a26M

[DaveB]

Seapup,
I just changed my 1997 MacX steering to a Uflex Rotor with a 9 ft. cable.
This works excellent for the exit cable forward from the previous aft exit cables that were from 1995 to mid 1997.
Those 1997 models have changed location for the exit steering cables and should be noted in the forum.
Even the Aluminum steering arm was changed.
Had a Talk with BW and they are not sure when changes were made.
Rudders, swing arms, rudder brackets to stainless...lot of changes.
Dave

My 2 cents...

Rather than buy a quick disconnect go the opposite direction and buy the correct drag link for your motor. Connect the outboard the way its manufacture designed it to be used, permanent & solid to the steering cable though the tilt tube with a drag link. No more motor flop due to the mac linkage leverage or play in the steering system from steering a heavy motor through all the mac levers and joints.

Moving the steering cable to where its intended is a simple change on the X, not sure about the M.

[jimbo]

Old thread but relevant.

I have just gotten around to installing - or rather attempting to install the BWY custom steering on my 26M with Etec 60HP.

There have been comments in this thread that the kit will fit but I am finding that even on the minimum adjustment the linkage is way too long.

I understand that the connected / disconnected position will be a tradeoff. One the two positions - connected / disconnected will allow the motor to be straight. Geometry of the Etec ( protrudes further forward than other motors it seems) will not allow both to be straight ahead.



OK that I can live with but the linkage being too long - what have others done with this? The quick and dirty fix might be to bend the linkage. I think I will tap the thread further down the bar and then cut the excess. But still very interested in what others have done.

I investigated extending the thread on the BWY rod but it seems cutting a thread into 316 stainless if not that easy and thus I will buy a 3 foot length of threaded 3/8" UNF 316 stainless rod. I will cut this to suit my required shorter length and have some left over for mistakes. Actually lower in price than buying a good qualify die. The finish will not be as good (not smooth between the connection points) but I can live with that.
When I get to install this I will also see if the disconnect point can be re-positioned so that (in the above diagram) A = B thus connected or disconnected the motor will point true.

[Highlander]

Jimbo
Just cover the exposed threads of the rod by slipping a length of snug fitting plastic hose over them for a smooth covered rod

J

[seahouse]

Thanks for suggesting that, J.

I was going to do it, but I've suggested using hoses for so many different things already that I didn't want to give the false impression that I might be a "hoser" or something like that.

- B.

[Obelix]

Why don't you put some shrink-tubing over the rod, it looks clean and not tube-like?

Obelix

[Berber Boy]

WIndSong has the same motor and is a MACM. I had tosignificantly shorten the threads on my BWY linkage to get the motor properly aligned to the rudders and centre of the transom. It took several incremental adjustments to get it right. Once I did that my boat took on a new dimension and now motors with very little correction needed on the wheel apart from the Rack & Pinion slop.

BB

Old thread but relevant.

I have just gotten around to installing - or rather attempting to install the BWY custom steering on my 26M with Etec 60HP.

There have been comments in this thread that the kit will fit but I am finding that even on the minimum adjustment the linkage is way too long.

I understand that the connected / disconnected position will be a tradeoff. One the two positions - connected / disconnected will allow the motor to be straight. Geometry of the Etec ( protrudes further forward than other motors it seems) will not allow both to be straight ahead.



OK that I can live with but the linkage being too long - what have others done with this? The quick and dirty fix might be to bend the linkage. I think I will tap the thread further down the bar and then cut the excess. But still very interested in what others have done.

I investigated extending the thread on the BWY rod but it seems cutting a thread into 316 stainless if not that easy and thus I will buy a 3 foot length of threaded 3/8" UNF 316 stainless rod. I will cut this to suit my required shorter length and have some left over for mistakes. Actually lower in price than buying a good qualify die. The finish will not be as good (not smooth between the connection points) but I can live with that.
When I get to install this I will also see if the disconnect point can be re-positioned so that (in the above diagram) A = B thus connected or disconnected the motor will point true.

[Highlander]

Why don't you put some shrink-tubing over the rod, it looks clean and not tube-like?

Obelix

Gez, from a Hoser to a Tuber whats next Troll,s

Shrink tube might not be a good Idea in salt water it will eventually break down to uv exposure let corrosion in , where as a snug fitting hose will allow flushing Mmm
I just know this is going down somewhere !!

J

[BOAT]

I find this whole steering kit post to be very boring, ho hum - highlander is right - needs more excitement - how bout a quiz:

Disconnect the BWY kit, raise the motor out of the water, start the motor, put the motor in reverse, push the throttle to full, then lower the motor!

What will happen?

[seahouse]

I find this whole steering kit post to be very boring, ho hum - highlander is right - needs more excitement - how bout a quiz:

Disconnect the BWY kit, raise the motor out of the water, start the motor, put the motor in reverse, push the throttle to full, then lower the motor!

What will happen?

Answer: Nothing. There is a tilt interlock switch that will prevent it from happening. It won't start in the first place.

[BOAT]

spoil sport

[seahouse]

spoil sport

Not really. You're supposed to now assume that we override that switch….

[Wayne nicol]

i know when i bought my boat from the dealer, one of the questions i aske( after reading posts on her about it) was if the steering turned an equal amount in either direction- he( as a lot of salesmen do) assured me that it was perfect, and the limited steering was just an appearance created by the motors torque.
man, you gotta give these guys credit, how they can bs on the fly- and still be so convincing.
anyway when i looked at the brand new boat- i saw that the steering was not equal in both directions, as seen on the rudders etc.
but i knew i could remedy that when i got it home.
so i got the BWY steering kit, then i modified the steering below deck.
i lengthened the short arm on the pittman type steering arm that exits through the motor well and connected to the motor, and re drilled and and reconnected to a different point on the swing arm.
i had to shorten the BWY steering kit quite significantly and re thread it, but now both my motor and rudders have equal throw in both directions as well as having max throw as well- just gotta watch the stalling when sailing.
i like to lift my motor when sailing! and with careful positioning of the bolt down retainer in the kit, the motor is centered when lifted- but it did require the making of a new bolt down retainer- but it all works very well now-
but once again , i just dont know why the boats have to be continuously re-engineered- guess thats the malady of a "modular boat"
cheers
wayne
i will try and take some pics, if folk want to see what i did

[Russ]

i will try and take some pics, if folk want to see what i did

Yes please do.

[BOAT]

Go figure, I never even noticed that the steering turns more one way than the other - it's never been an issue - in what situation would something like that be important? (I guess I'm not much of a powerboat person.)

[Wayne nicol]

prolly no big deal- just wasnt right- and i have this uncontrollable AR urge to fix things that are not right.
i think i am paying attention to detail!!
but my wife says that i am just an A.R. son of ....- ignore it and move on...
of course though, i think i am right!!

i will try and get some pics up.
still at work!