Uflex USA RackTech RACKTECH12 Rack & Pinion Steering System

The Uflex USA RackTech RACKTECH12 is a complete rack and pinion mechanical steering system for boats where there just isn't much room behind the dash. It ships as a matched set: the G86 helm assembly, the X34 90-degree bezel, and a 10-foot M86 steering cable. Everything's designed to work together, so you're not guessing whether the helm and cable are a good match. They are.

Rack and pinion is the layout to reach for when clearance is the problem. A pinion gear at the helm drives a toothed rack that's built right into the cable assembly, and that keeps the whole package shallow behind the dash. If you've ever tried to shoehorn a bulky helm into a console with wiring, gauges, and a stereo already crammed in there, you know why that matters. The RackTech tucks in where a deeper helm won't go.

This system is meant for power-assisted sterndrives and other setups with minimal rudder torque. That's the key thing to get right before you buy. Rack and pinion gives you a direct, positive feel and quick response, but it isn't built to fight a high-torque rudder all day. On a power-assisted drive the assist does the heavy lifting and the RackTech just tells it where to point, which is exactly what it's good at. On a heavy, non-assisted setup you'll feel every bit of that load in your hands, and it'll wear on you across a long run.

The M86 cable is the heart of it. It uses an armor-wrapped stainless steel core, which is what gives you smooth, efficient travel without the mushy lag a tired cable develops. The 10-foot length covers a lot of common single-station sterndrive boats, but measure your run before you order. Route from the back of the helm, along the gunnel or under the sole, to the drive, and add for bends. On boats in the 22 to 25 foot range a 10-foot cable can leave you with minimal slack, so it pays to measure twice.

Speaking of routing, give the cable a gentle path. The M86 doesn't like tight bends. Keep the bend radius generous behind the dash and anywhere the cable turns a corner, and it'll move freely for years. Cram it into a sharp bend and you'll add friction that shows up as stiff, notchy steering at the wheel. That's not the system's fault, it's the install.

At the helm you get 3.5 turns lock to lock. That's a nice middle ground. Quick enough to feel responsive when you're working around the dock or carving a turn, but not so fast that the boat feels twitchy at cruise. The X34 bezel finishes the install with a clean 90-degree mount, which is the standard dash angle on most runabouts and sterndrive boats.

A few honest notes from the water. This is mechanical steering, so if your drive's power assist ever quits, the manual feel comes right back and it'll be noticeably heavier until the assist is fixed. Good to know, not a flaw. And like any mechanical helm run in salt, the G86 will start to show a little play after a couple of seasons if you ignore it. Flush it, purge it, and grease it once a year and it stays tight. Skip the maintenance and you'll feel slop creep in.

Installation is manageable for a handy owner. The kit gives you the three main pieces, the G86 helm, the X34 bezel, and the M86 rack-and-cable, so the big compatibility questions are already answered. You'll want the correct dash cutout for the bezel, a clear cable path to the drive, and the drive-end connection hardware for your particular sterndrive. Take your time on the cable routing, support it every few feet, and confirm full travel lock to lock before you splash. Steering isn't the place to rush.

Who's this for? Owners repowering or refitting a sterndrive boat with a tight console, anyone replacing a worn-out rack system, and builders who need a compact, dependable single-cable helm. Who's it not for? Boats with heavy, non-power-assisted steering loads, or anyone who needs a dual-cable or hydraulic setup for a big outboard. If your boat matches the brief, minimal dash clearance, power-assisted drive, low rudder torque, the RackTech is a straightforward, no-drama choice.