NFB 4.2 Rotary Steering Single Cable Kit - with 18 ft Cable

This SS147xx kit is the non-tilting version of SeaStar Solutions' 4.2 NFB Single Cable Rotary Steering Kits.
It offers the advantage of 4.2 wheel turns lock-to-lock, plus SeaStar's patented No FeedBack* steering control for about the cost of an old-fashioned steering replacement.
The helm is a drop-in replacement for current generation Teleflex/SeaStar Safe-T® steering systems with no dashboard modifications required. It accepts steering wheels up to 16" in diameter.

The advantage of 4.2 steering wheel turns lock-to-lock over 3.0 turns is that you will exert less effort when steering, although the turning response time will be somewhat slower. This helm offers more precision and control when steering.

Single cable steering is the ideal system for most single station, outboard and non-power-assisted^ sterndrive engines up to a V-6, that exhibit minimal engine flutter or steering instability.
A comparable dual cable system is made for applications with engine flutter or steering instability. See Related Products, below.

NFB Steering Kit Features...
• Patented No FeedBack™ steering mechanism
• Comfortable 4.2 turns lock-to-lock provides precise steering
• Standard 3/4" tapered shaft
• Stainless steel cable output ends resist corrosion
• Fast, easy installation using Quick connect (QC) steering cable(s)
• Meets ABYC standards and NMMA certification requirements

What's in the box...
Kits include — single cable NFB 4.2 helm (SH4910P), 90° bezel (SB27150P), mounting hardware, and (1) QC Cable (SSC62xx) (the "xx" in the part number is the length of the cable in feet.


* What is NFB?
NFB stands for "No FeedBack", and is an exclusive feature built into SeaStar Solutions helms to fight propeller torque feedback.

In standard mechanical steering systems, the turning of the propeller creates a torque force which can be felt in the steering wheel as a tendancy for the boat to constantly want to turn in one direction. To keep the boat going straight, this veering must be constantly "fought" by the person steering the boat.
A corollary effect is that the boat can be turned in one direction with just one finger, but requires two hands to turn in the other direction. This is especially apparent with larger engines (over 40 - 50 horsepower), as well as at higher speeds.

For about a hundred bucks more than a standard helm mechanism, SeaStar Solutions NFB helms incorporate an internal clutch mechanism that grips the steering shaft whenever you are not actively steering. This significantly decreases the tiresome effect of prop torque — without having to spend an extra thousand dollars for an hydraulic system to completely eliminate the feedback.

When you take your hands off the wheel with a standard mechanical steering system the boat will quickly start to turn of its own accord. With an NFB system, that turning tendency will be much slower to start and can be controlled with less effort.
An hydraulic system, on the other hand, will completely eliminate propeller torque feedback, so you can take your hands off the wheel, and the boat will continue to track straight (all other things being equal).
Hydraulic steering is a real advantage for boats with larger engines or which travel at high speeds, and is highly recommended for those applications.

In case you were wondering, boats with inboard engines do not experience prop torque since you steer them with a rudder, not by having to turn the entire drive unit and propeller - as with an outboard or I/O.

^NFB steering helms should never be used with autopilots, power-assisted steering systems, or second helm stations.
This is because No Feedback Helm Systems have that internal clutch mechanism, mentioned above, which grips the steering wheel shaft and locks it in place whenever you are not actually turning the steering wheel. Therefore, the steering cables are also locked in place.
Any external mechanism - such as a second helm unit, autopilot, or power-assist - that attempts to adjust the position of the outboard or I/O drive unit (or the attached steering cables) will meet with substantial resistance from the NFB helm clutches, possibly damaging the autopilot or power-assisrt unit.