Thanks for all the comments and great information on my steering update questions.  
After digesting everything I've decided to try the cable pulley system once again.  With 
new and correct parts it should work much better than my first attempt.  I'm also probably 
going to try the Dyneema rope which was suggested.  
What diameter Dyneema rope would work best with this system? 
Also, what would be the best
technique to tie off at the ends, knots or clamps?
Thanks,
Phillip Henderson

VinTin wrote:

I've seen some very positive comments on using dyneema rope on the pulley systems. 
It's very strong and very smooth and supposed to feel far superior to the plastic coated stainless steel wire rope. 
I will be using it on my next steering rig.
www.marlowropes.com/innovation/dyneema/

I have dyneema on mine a love it.

jmhyatt wrote:

I use cable and pulley steering on my DF25A Suzuki motor.  I'm pretty sure DeeDee and Nate are using it on their Zukes as well.  I think the mod they had to make is the same as Mike Tilley did:  they all have motors with Power Tilt & Trim (PTT).  My DF25A does NOT have PTT.  The PTT mechanism moves the motor's pivot point a couple inches aft on the transom.  This causes the steering cables to hit the transom if they're connected to the standard Suzuki steering bracket.  So everyone I've seen with the PTT Zuke fabricates a longer  "extended steering bracket", which allows them to connect steering cables without the cables rubbing against the transom.

It is Ben that has a modified steering on a Zuke. He's Nate's or DeeDee's brother in law. 

I use cable and pulley steering on my DF25A Suzuki motor.  I'm pretty sure DeeDee and Nate are using it on their Zukes as well.  I think the mod they had to make is the same as Mike Tilley did:  they all have motors with Power Tilt & Trim (PTT).  My DF25A does NOT have PTT.  The PTT mechanism moves the motor's pivot point a couple inches aft on the transom.  This causes the steering cables to hit the transom if they're connected to the standard Suzuki steering bracket.  So everyone I've seen with the PTT Zuke fabricates a longer  "extended steering bracket", which allows them to connect steering cables without the cables rubbing against the transom.

Here's a rather messy picture of the steering cables attached to my Zuke (using an Evinrude cable bracket attached to the standard Suzuki steering bracket).  In this photo, the motor is tilted up for trailering.  When the motor is tilted down in the running position, the steering pulleys are fairly close to the inside of the transom.  For Zuke's with PTT, the motor is moved aft about 1.5 - 2 inches (to make room for the PTT stuff).  This means when the motor is turned sharply to left or right, one of the cables will hit the top edge of the transom.  Therefore, everyone fabricates an extended version (1 - 2 inches longer) of the Suzuki steering bracket, or bolts an extension onto the provided bracket.

Keep in mind, if I'm not mistaken the transom of the Vagabond is a few inches narrower than the transom of my DR shown in this photo.

I think the cable and pully system adheres to the KISS theory of engineering.  Modifying and creating the brackets needed to use Teleflex type steering sure does add a whole lot of joints and connections.  In construction the connecting joints are always the weak points.  A minimum amount of time spent on checking the cable system and maintaining the set up has been just fine for me on my older motor.
Is it not feasable to install cable and pulley on the newer motors ?

I've seen some very positive comments on using dyneema rope on the pulley systems. 

It's very strong and very smooth and supposed to feel far superior to the plastic coated stainless steel wire rope. 

I will be using it on my next steering rig.

www.marlowropes.com/innovation/dyneema/

 

I tried to  go with the ride guide system on mine and did not like the feel. Sooo I went back to the traditional cable pulley system. I did make a custom bracket for the ride guide system to work on my vagabond. The Mercury one did not extend far enough into the boat, and like Locomotion said, will not work on a Vagabond. The bracket goes unto the tilt tube of the motor. Here are a few pictures:

New custom bracket (BTW, that is clear powder coat over polished steel):


New likage with rodends in comparison to the original:


The linkage and bracket:




 

Yes that was a picture from before I bought the boat with no motor. I had no other parts and gave up on trying to adapt to an OMC. I sold that ride guide setup to MercuryMarc.

I'm not really sure other than it hangs off the tilt tube. I haven't found a pic of the complete installation but I think there must be a different link to account for the changed geometry. 

I think that pic is actually of Mike's boat before he got it.  Maybe he saw the rest of the parts?

How did it link up to the motor?
Was there another rod that ran through the tilt tube?

DeeDee’s boat has a fabricated setup like that for her Suzuki, maybe someone has a photo.