Tracker 175 NFB steering

[Marky1]

Looking into replacing steering to a "no feedback " setup. Has anyone here done it ? Which brand is recommended? Thanks

[joe3buck3]

I did it on my previous boat. I used one of the SeaStar helms. Depending on what you currently have you may be able to simply buy the helm and use your existing cable.

[Marky1]

Thank you for the good news , will check them out .

[joe3buck3]

AS I remember there are two NFB helms that will fit your boat. One has a turning ratio of 3/1. Meaning three turns of the wheel and the motor will traverse as far as it till go. The other is 4.3 (if this isn't correct its close) so it the motor is turned completely to one side it takes 4.3 turns of the steering wheel to move it completely to the other side. The 4.3 is used primarily on higher horse power engines to make it easier to turn them when running at speed. Some engines generate a lot of torque depending on the trim angle and can be a bear to turn when at speed. This 4.3 makes it easier than the 3.

[Marky1]

My boat has a 75Hp.

[TritonTRXV8]

AS I remember there are two NFB helms that will fit your boat. One has a turning ratio of 3/1. Meaning three turns of the wheel and the motor will traverse as far as it till go. The other is 4.3 (if this isn't correct its close) so it the motor is turned completely to one side it takes 4.3 turns of the steering wheel to move it completely to the other side. The 4.3 is used primarily on higher horse power engines to make it easier to turn them when running at speed. Some engines generate a lot of torque depending on the trim angle and can be a bear to turn when at speed. This 4.3 makes it easier than the 3.

Good info here. My tracker had the 3:1 ratio which is pretty standard i think and it always worked good. With everything setup right easily drive with one hand without any torque steer.

[Marky1]

Finally got the boat wet . The steering is too loose to my liking , is it possible just replace the hub or replace the whole system ?

[Marky1]

Took the boat to Maine today , steering pulls hard to the right , even after gave the tab a small adjustment . Strange how on steering wheel collar it reads "Safe T Steering ". Hoping I can just replace the hub . Any thoughts ?

[joe3buck3]

Mine said Safe T on my hub and I was able to replace it with their NFB hub using the same cable. Hardest part was getting the darned steering wheel off the existing hub. I also believe I needed to modify the dash hole a bit but it wasn't to drastic.

[Marky1]

What do you mean by "their NFB" hub ?

[joe3buck3]

Non Feed Back hub/helm. Check the SeaStar Solutions website for additional information on their Safe-T ll Rotary helm and their 4.2 Rotary Helm
http://www.seastarsolutions.com/prod...b-safe-t-ll-2/

[Marky1]

Replace just the helm , or the whole system ? Opinions please .

[Lil Mo]

If you can remove the cable from your existing helm, you should be able to replace with a NFB helm. I just replaced the whole system on mine. I had a rack system that had froze up so I had to replace helm and cables.

[Marky1]

What is the culprit ? The helm or the cable ?

[Lil Mo]

I’m sure you checked this already so forgive me if you have. Double-check that your cable is completely tightened where it connects to the tilt tube on the motor. If this gets loose, it can cause a loose or drifting type of feel. If that checks out, it would more than likely be the helm. Easy to replace.

[Marky1]

More than likely will order a new complete kit , at least I will have all the parts I need to correct the steering rather than order parts later on .

[Lil Mo]

Agreed

[Marky1]

Motor kicks over to (prop) the right side of of stern when starting with the muffs on . Steering will spin also when starting .

[Marky1]

Everything is tight at trim tube .On to the next chapter.

[Lil Mo]

I hope you can get it figured out. What year is your boat?