{"product_id":"uflex-racktech-racktech12-rack-pinion-steering","title":"Uflex USA RackTech RACKTECH12 Rack \u0026 Pinion Steering System","description":"\u003cp class=\"nvn-hero\"\u003eThe Uflex USA RackTech RACKTECH12 is a complete rack and pinion mechanical steering kit for boats with tight clearance behind the dash. You get the G86 helm, the X34 90-degree bezel, and a 10-foot M86 cable with an armor-wrapped stainless core, all matched to work together. It's built for power-assisted sterndrives and low rudder torque, with a quick, positive 3.5 turns lock to lock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"nvn-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRack 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpeaking 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstallation 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWho'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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"nvn-features\"\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eComplete rack and pinion kit: G86 helm assembly, X34 90-degree bezel, and a 10-foot M86 cable in one matched package\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eArmor-wrapped stainless steel cable core for smooth, efficient travel and a long service life\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCompact behind-dash footprint fits consoles with minimal clearance where a deeper helm won't\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e3.5 turns lock to lock for quick, positive response without feeling twitchy at cruise\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eEngineered for power-assisted sterndrives and applications with minimal rudder torque\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eX34 bezel mounts at the standard 90-degree dash angle for a clean finish\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSingle-cable mechanical design keeps steering feel direct and maintenance simple\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e10-foot M86 cable length suits many single-station sterndrive boats\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"nvn-trust\"\u003e\n  \u003ch2\u003eWhy Buy from NVN Marine\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eAuthorized Uflex USA reseller, full manufacturer warranty\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eNMEA member and ABYC certified, advice from real boat techs\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSame-day shipping before 3 PM ET on in-stock items\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eNY headquarters and Fort Lauderdale flagship retail store\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"nvn-faq\"\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eWhat comes in the RACKTECH12 kit?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThe kit is a matched set: the G86 helm assembly, the X34 90-degree bezel, and a 10-foot M86 steering cable. You supply the drive-end connection hardware for your specific sterndrive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eWhat kind of boats is this steering system built for?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003ePower-assisted sterndrives and applications with minimal rudder torque, especially boats with limited clearance behind the dash where a deeper helm won't fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eHow many turns lock to lock?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e3.5 turns lock to lock. That's quick enough to feel responsive around the dock but steady enough to stay composed at cruise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eHow long is the steering cable?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThe M86 cable is 10 feet. Measure your actual run from the back of the helm to the drive, including bends, before you order. On 22 to 25 foot boats a 10-foot cable can leave minimal slack.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eWhy choose rack and pinion over a rotary helm?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eRack and pinion keeps the helm shallow behind the dash, so it fits consoles where clearance is tight, and it gives a direct, positive steering feel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eCan I use this on a non-power-assisted boat with a high-torque rudder?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eNo. This system is designed for minimal rudder torque. On a heavy, non-assisted setup the steering gets stiff and tiring, so it's the wrong tool for that job.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eWhat is the steering cable core made of?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eAn armor-wrapped stainless steel core, which is what keeps the cable travel smooth and efficient over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eDoes the system need maintenance?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eYes. Like any mechanical helm run in salt, flush, purge, and grease the G86 helm once a year. Keep up with it and the steering stays tight instead of developing play.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eWhat dash angle does the bezel fit?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThe X34 bezel mounts at a 90-degree dash angle, which is the standard on most runabouts and sterndrive boats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"nvn-specs\"\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTitle\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUflex USA RackTech RACKTECH12 Rack and Pinion Mechanical Steering System\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBrand\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUflex USA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eManufacturer Part Number\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRACKTECH12\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eUPC\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e702755018995\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSteering Type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRack and Pinion (Mechanical)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHelm Assembly\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eG86\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBezel\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eX34, 90 Degree\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSteering Cable\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM86, 10 Foot\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCable Core\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArmor-wrapped stainless steel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTurns Lock to Lock\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRecommended Application\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePower-assisted sterndrives, minimal rudder torque, minimal clearance behind the dash\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eVendor Part Number\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUFXRACKTECH12\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n    \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n    \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"What comes in the RACKTECH12 kit?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"The kit is a matched set: the G86 helm assembly, the X34 90-degree bezel, and a 10-foot M86 steering cable. 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