Tensioning steering cables

[finefurn]

I just rebuilt my steering pedestal on a Hunter 27, Is there a recommendation for tensioning the cables. My steering system is a combination of Merriam Yacht Specialties and Edison.

[DefinitelyMe]

How tight depends on the wire you've used and also the length. It needs to be snug. Probably tighter than you'd expect.

Make them fairly tight, then test by turning the wheel all the way to the stop and applying enough pressure to simulate hard steering in a heavy sea. Does the cable on one side go slack? If so, more tension!

[tkeithlu]

In pursuing DefinitelyMe's procedure, you could find that one or more turns in the cable are over pulleys that are not quite rigidly mounted, so tensioning leads to more tensioning leads to more tensioning. You might include determining that all the mountings are "hard" in your rebuild. Ditto on bearings.

[GordMay]

Edson Steering Planning, Installation& Maintenance Guide
➥ https://edsonmarine.com/content/EB381SteeringGuide.pdf

This [12min.] video covers the assembly and installation of tensioning hardware for chain & wire rope steering systems. Details are also provided on how to increase tension in the system.
➥

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDa6fKxmoBU