Uflex RACKTECH20 Rack and Pinion Boat Steering System, 20 ft
Uflex RACKTECH20 Rack and Pinion Boat Steering System, 20 ft — Product description
The Uflex RACKTECH20 is a complete rack and pinion mechanical steering system for boats where clearance behind the dash is tight. It ships as a matched set with the G86 helm assembly, X34 90-degree bezel, and a 20-foot M86 cable, built for power-assisted sterndrives and low rudder-torque applications.
The Uflex RACKTECH20 is a complete rack and pinion mechanical steering system built for boats where space behind the dash is tight. It ships as a matched set. You get the G86 helm assembly, the X34 90-degree bezel, and a 20-foot M86 steering cable, all designed to work together. You bolt the helm to the dash, run the cable back to the drive, and you've got direct, positive steering without the bulky rotary gear a standard helm needs stuffed in behind the wheel.
Rack and pinion is the answer when a rotary helm just won't fit. Instead of coiling cable around a drum, the pinion drives a straight rack that pushes and pulls the cable in a shallow footprint. That shallow footprint is the whole point. On a lot of runabouts and older sterndrive boats, the space behind the dash is packed with gauges, wiring, and switch panels, and there's barely room to swing your hand back there. The G86 helm tucks in flat, and the X34 bezel turns the cable output a full 90 degrees so you can route it down and aft instead of driving it straight back into whatever's crowding the bulkhead. If you've ever fought a rotary helm that wouldn't clear the dash, you'll appreciate how much easier this is to live with.
This system is spec'd for power-assisted sterndrives and applications with minimal rudder torque. In plain terms, that means it shines on boats where the drive does most of the muscle work, or where the loads coming back through the cable are light. Pair it with a power steering setup on a V8 sterndrive and the wheel stays light and easy through the whole lock, hard over to hard over. Run it without power assist and you'll feel more effort at the helm, especially at speed. So know your setup before you order. It's a real difference in how the boat drives.
It's worth being honest about what this isn't for. A big single outboard puts a lot of load back through the steering, and a rack and pinion set built for minimal rudder torque can feel like it gives or slips under that kind of strain. If you're steering a heavy high-torque single outboard, this isn't the system you want. Match the steering to the load and you'll be happy. Push it past what it's rated for and you won't be.
The 20-foot M86 cable covers most single-station runabouts and sterndrive boats into the low-20-foot range. When you route it, keep your bends wide. A steering cable hates tight turns. Force it around a sharp corner or double it back on itself and the wheel goes stiff and notchy on you. Give it long, sweeping radius bends from the helm down to the drive and it'll turn smooth for years. Plan the run before you pull the cable, not after.
Before you commit to a dash location, measure. The X34 bezel needs a clean cutout, and if the hole isn't right the bezel can sit proud of the dash or crowd a nearby gauge cluster. Dry-fit everything first. Check your clearances top and bottom, and make sure the wheel has room to spin a full turn without your knuckles catching a switch panel. Five minutes with a tape measure saves you from drilling a hole in the wrong spot.
Like any mechanical steering, it wants a little attention. Boats that live in salt water are hardest on the rack and cable, so rinse the drive end, keep the fittings greased, and check the cable for stiffness at the start of every season. If the steering ever starts to feel vague, the cable has usually stretched a touch, and the helm can be re-tensioned to bring the crisp feel back. Do that every couple of seasons on a power-assisted drive and the system stays tight and predictable.
Uflex USA has been building marine steering and controls for a long time, and the RACKTECH20 is a straightforward, dealer-grade way to put mechanical steering in a boat that can't take a bulky rotary helm. If your dash is cramped and your drive is power-assisted, this is a clean fit that'll steer true.
Key Features
- Complete kit: G86 helm assembly, X34 90-degree bezel, and 20-foot M86 steering cable in one matched system
- Rack and pinion design keeps a shallow footprint behind the dash where a rotary helm won't fit
- X34 bezel turns the cable output a full 90 degrees for cleaner routing down and aft
- 20-foot M86 cable suits single-station runabouts and sterndrive boats into the low-20-foot range
- Spec'd for power-assisted sterndrives and applications with minimal rudder torque
- Direct rack and pinion action gives positive, precise feel at the wheel
- Flat-mounting G86 helm bolts to the dash for a tidy, low-clearance install
- Backed by Uflex USA marine steering and controls engineering
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 RACKTECH20 Rack and Pinion Mechanical Steering System |
|---|---|
| Brand | Uflex USA |
| Manufacturer Part Number | RACKTECH20 |
| UPC | 702755019077 |
| Steering System Type | Rack and Pinion Mechanical |
| Helm Assembly | G86 |
| Bezel | X34 90 Degree Bezel |
| Bezel Angle | 90 Degrees |
| Steering Cable | M86 |
| Cable Length | 20 Feet |
| Recommended Application | Power-Assisted Sterndrives |
| Torque Rating | Minimal Rudder Torque Applications |
| Best For | Boats With Minimal Clearance Behind The Dash |
Frequently asked questions
What comes in the RACKTECH20 system?
It's a complete kit. You get the G86 helm assembly, the X34 90-degree bezel, and a 20-foot M86 steering cable, all matched to work together as one rack and pinion steering system.
What kind of boat is this steering built for?
It's designed for boats with minimal clearance behind the dash, power-assisted sterndrives, and applications with minimal rudder torque. Think single-station runabouts and sterndrive boats where a bulky rotary helm won't fit.
Why choose rack and pinion instead of a rotary helm?
Rack and pinion uses a straight rack in a shallow footprint instead of coiling cable around a drum. That lets the helm tuck in flat against a crowded dash where there isn't room for the deeper rotary gear.
Does it work with power-assisted sterndrives?
Yes. That's exactly what it's spec'd for. On a power-assisted drive the wheel stays light and easy through the full lock. Without power assist you'll feel more effort at the helm, so know your setup before you order.
Can I use this on a high-torque single outboard?
No. This system is rated for minimal rudder torque. A heavy high-torque single outboard puts more load back through the cable than the system is built for, and you want steering matched to that load instead.
How long is the steering cable?
The M86 cable is 20 feet, which covers most single-station runabouts and sterndrive boats into the low-20-foot range.
What does the X34 90-degree bezel do?
It turns the cable output a full 90 degrees at the helm. That lets you route the cable down and aft instead of straight back into a crowded bulkhead, which is a big help on tight dashes.
How should I route the 20-foot cable?
Keep your bends wide. A steering cable hates tight turns, and forcing it around a sharp corner makes the wheel stiff and notchy. Plan long, sweeping radius bends from the helm down to the drive.
Do I need to measure before installing the bezel?
Yes, always dry-fit first. The X34 bezel needs a clean cutout. If the hole isn't right the bezel can sit proud of the dash or crowd a nearby gauge cluster, so check your clearances before you drill.
How do I keep the steering feeling tight over time?
Rinse the drive end on saltwater boats, keep the fittings greased, and check the cable for stiffness each season. If the wheel starts to feel vague the cable has usually stretched, and the helm can be re-tensioned every couple of seasons to bring the crisp feel back.
