Uflex RackTech18 Rack & Pinion Boat Steering System, 18 ft Cable
Uflex RackTech18 Rack & Pinion Boat Steering System, 18 ft Cable — Product description
The Uflex RackTech18 is a complete rack and pinion mechanical steering system for boats that don't have much room behind the dash. You get the G86 helm, the X34 90-degree bezel, and an 18-foot M86 cable, all matched to work together. It's built for power-assisted sterndrives and setups with minimal rudder torque, where you want light, precise steering in a compact package.
The Uflex RackTech18 is a complete rack and pinion mechanical steering system built for boats where space behind the dash is tight. You get the G86 helm assembly, the X34 90-degree bezel, and the M86 steering cable in an 18-foot length, all matched to work together right out of the box. If you're repowering an older sterndrive rig or replacing a helm that's gotten sloppy over the years, this is the kind of kit that takes the guesswork out of ordering the right parts.
Rack and pinion steering trades the round, coiled cable path of a rotary helm for a straight push-pull rack. That matters most when you don't have much room behind the dash. The 90-degree X34 bezel lets the cable exit at a right angle instead of straight back, so you can mount the helm on a shallow console or a dash with wiring and gauges crowding the space behind it. It's a clean fit where a standard rotary helm simply won't clear.
This system is made for power-assisted sterndrives and applications with minimal rudder torque. That's the sweet spot. On a power-assisted drive the hydraulics do the heavy lifting and the cable just tells the drive where to point, so the effort stays light and the feel stays precise. It's not the right choice for a heavy non-assisted outboard, where the loads coming back up the cable can feel like too much play at the wheel. Match it to the boat it's designed for and it rewards you with tight, predictable steering.
The M86 cable is the heart of the system. It runs an armor-wrapped stainless steel core, which keeps the push-pull action smooth and resists the corrosion that eats ordinary cables alive in a saltwater bilge. Eighteen feet covers most mid-size runs from a mid-console or aft helm to a transom-mounted drive. Measure your run before you order. You want enough length to route the cable with gentle, sweeping bends and no sharp kinks, because a tight bend radius is the fastest way to make any mechanical helm stiffen up.
Everything's matched by part number so you're not mixing and matching on install day. The G86 helm assembly bolts up behind the wheel, the X34 bezel finishes the mounting hole with a clean 5-1/8 inch face, and the M86 cable ties the helm to the drive. Because it all ships as one package, you know the helm, the cable end fittings, and the bezel all speak the same language. That's a big deal when the last thing you want is a fitting that doesn't thread up.
Installation is straightforward if you take your time. Center the rack before you connect the cable so your lock-to-lock turns come out even side to side. Give the cable a generous bend radius where it leaves the transom, and add support clamps through any long unsupported spans so it can't chafe against a stringer or bulkhead. Route the extra length in smooth loops rather than forcing it into a tight corner. At roughly 3.5 turns lock-to-lock, the RackTech18 gives you a nice balance of quick response and fine control at speed.
Like any mechanical steering, a little care goes a long way. Keep the helm and cable ends greased, check the mounting hardware at the start of each season, and watch for any growing free play at the wheel. Do that and a rack and pinion system like this one will steer true for years. It's a proven layout, and when it's matched to the right boat, it's about as fuss-free as marine steering gets. And if you're not sure whether your sterndrive is a match, measure your dash clearance and check that your drive accepts a mechanical steering cable before you buy.
Key Features
- Complete rack and pinion kit: G86 helm assembly, X34 90-degree bezel, and M86 18-foot cable matched to work together out of the box
- 90-degree X34 bezel routes the cable at a right angle for consoles and dashes with minimal clearance behind them
- M86 cable uses an armor-wrapped stainless steel core for smooth push-pull action and corrosion resistance
- 18-foot cable length suits most mid-size helm-to-transom runs
- Roughly 3.5 turns lock-to-lock balances quick response with fine control at speed
- Engineered for power-assisted sterndrives and applications with minimal rudder torque
- X34 bezel finishes the mounting hole with a 5-1/8 inch face
- Compact rack layout fits where a rotary helm won't clear behind the dash
Why Buy from NVN Marine
- Authorized Uflex USA reseller, full manufacturer warranty
- NMEA member and ABYC certified, advice from real boat techs
- Same-day shipping before 3 PM ET on in-stock items
- NY headquarters and Fort Lauderdale flagship retail store
Technical specifications
| Title | Uflex RackTech18 Rack And Pinion Mechanical Steering System with G86 Helm, X34 90-Degree Bezel, and M86 18-Foot Cable |
|---|---|
| Brand | Uflex USA |
| Manufacturer Part Number | RACKTECH18 |
| UPC | 702755019053 |
| Steering Type | Rack and Pinion Mechanical |
| Helm Assembly | G86 |
| Bezel | X34 90 Degree |
| Steering Cable | M86 |
| Cable Length | 18 Feet |
| Bezel Diameter | 5-1/8 in |
| Turns Lock-to-Lock | 3.5 |
| Cable Core Construction | Armor-wrapped stainless steel core |
| Recommended Application | Power-assisted sterndrives |
| Best For | Boats with minimal clearance behind the dash and applications with minimal rudder torque |
Frequently asked questions
What comes in the Uflex RackTech18 kit?
You get three matched parts: the G86 helm assembly, the X34 90-degree bezel, and the M86 steering cable in an 18-foot length. They're designed to work together, so you're not sourcing pieces separately or guessing whether the fittings match.
What kind of boat is this steering system made for?
It's built for power-assisted sterndrives and applications with minimal rudder torque, and for helms where clearance behind the dash is tight. On a power-assisted drive the effort stays light and the feel stays precise.
Why does it use a 90-degree bezel?
The X34 bezel turns the cable 90 degrees so it exits the helm at a right angle instead of straight back. That's what lets you fit it on a shallow console or a crowded dash where a standard straight-back helm would bind against the wiring behind it.
How many turns is it lock-to-lock?
About 3.5 turns lock-to-lock. That's a good middle ground, quick enough to swing the drive in close quarters and geared enough to hold a steady line at speed.
Can I shorten the 18-foot cable if it's too long?
You don't cut a mechanical steering cable to length. Measure your run before ordering so you get the right cable, then route any extra length in smooth loops and secure it with support clamps. Forcing the slack into a tight bend is what makes steering stiffen up.
What size is the mounting hole for the bezel?
The X34 bezel has a 5-1/8 inch face, so plan your dash cutout and clearance around that.
What's the difference between rack and pinion and rotary steering?
Rotary steering coils the cable inside a round helm, which needs depth behind the dash. Rack and pinion uses a straight push-pull rack, so it fits in tighter spaces and gives a direct, linear feel. This kit is the rack and pinion type.
Will this work on a non-assisted single outboard?
It's designed for power-assisted sterndrives and low-rudder-torque setups. On a heavier non-assisted outboard the loads coming back up the cable can show up as extra play at the wheel, so match it to the application it's built for.
What is the cable core made of?
The M86 cable runs an armor-wrapped stainless steel core. It keeps the push-pull action smooth and stands up to the corrosion that ruins ordinary cables in a saltwater bilge.
