{"product_id":"uflex-usa-racktech-rack-pinion-steering-14-ft-cable","title":"Uflex USA RackTech Rack and Pinion Steering System, 14 ft Cable","description":"\u003cp class=\"nvn-hero\"\u003eThe Uflex USA RackTech is a compact rack and pinion mechanical steering system built for boats where clearance behind the dash is tight. It bundles the G86 helm, the X34 90-degree bezel, and the M86 14-foot cable with an armor-wrapped stainless core. Great for power-assisted sterndrives and low-rudder-torque setups where you want smooth, direct steering without a bulky rotary helm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"nvn-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRack and pinion steering does one thing really well. It gives you direct, precise control at the helm without eating up a bunch of room behind the dash. The Uflex USA RackTech system is built exactly for that situation. If you've got a console with minimal clearance behind it, a traditional rotary helm and its big backing plate just won't fit. The RackTech solves it with a slim gearbox and a 90-degree cable takeoff that tucks the whole assembly in close.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis kit comes as a complete package. You get the G86 helm assembly, the X34 90-degree bezel, and the M86 steering cable in a 14-foot length. The M86 cable is the part that really matters here. It uses an armor-wrapped stainless steel core, which keeps friction low and holds up to the loads a rack helm puts on it. That armor wrap is what lets the system feel tight and efficient instead of vague and spongy. Everything's matched to work together out of the box, so you're not mixing components and hoping the geometry lines up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere's how it feels on the water. Turn the wheel and a pinion gear drives a toothed rack, which pushes or pulls the cable. There's no slop to work through, so small corrections at speed actually land where you point them. RackTech is quick, too, running about 3.5 turns lock to lock, so you're not winding the wheel forever to get the boat to respond. Light boats reward that precision most, because there's less mass fighting your input. For a runabout, a small center console, or a sterndrive boat that already steers light, that connected feel is exactly what you want.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo where does this belong? RackTech is designed for boats with power-assisted sterndrives and applications with minimal rudder torque. That's the honest answer. If your setup fights the wheel hard, a rack system will feel stiff, and you'd be better off with a helm matched to higher steering loads. But on the boats it's meant for, single-cable sterndrives and light-steering hulls, it's a clean, direct replacement or upgrade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne thing worth doing before you buy is measure. Steering cable length is called out in two-foot increments, and this kit ships with the 14-foot M86. Run a string along the path the cable will actually take, from behind the helm down to the engine or drive, and add a little slack for gentle bends. Too short and you're starting over. Too long and you've got excess cable to coil and secure. Fourteen feet suits a lot of mid-size sterndrive boats, but your routing is what really decides it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA few install notes from folks who've rigged these up. Route the cable so it enters the rack as straight as you can. A sharp bend right at the takeoff makes the rack bind and wears the cable faster, so give it a gentle radius coming off that 90-degree bezel. If your dash is thin fiberglass, add backing plates behind the bezel screws. The mounting holes can pull out of a thin panel over time, and a backing plate spreads the load. And once it's in, hit the rack with marine grease at the start of each season. That's the difference between steering that stays smooth and steering that turns notchy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBottom line, the RackTech is a smart pick when space is the problem and your steering loads are light to moderate. It's a full kit, so there's no hunting for a matching helm and bezel separately. Confirm the 14-foot length works for your run, add backing plates if the dash is thin, and you've got a compact, responsive steering system that fits where the big rotary helms can't. Measure twice, grease it every spring, and this steering will serve you for many seasons.\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 M86 14-foot cable in one package\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e90-degree cable takeoff tucks the assembly in close for boats with minimal clearance behind the dash\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eM86 cable with an armor-wrapped stainless steel core for low friction and efficient, direct steering feel\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAbout 3.5 turns lock to lock for quick, responsive wheel input\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDesigned for power-assisted sterndrives and applications with minimal rudder torque\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSingle-cable rack design keeps the install compact and simple\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eRack and pinion gearing gives precise, slop-free control for small corrections at speed\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e14-foot cable length suits many mid-size sterndrive and single-console 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's included in the Uflex USA RackTech kit?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThe G86 helm assembly, the X34 90-degree bezel, and the M86 steering cable in a 14-foot length. It's a complete single-cable rack and pinion package.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eWhat boats is RackTech designed for?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eBoats with power-assisted sterndrives and applications with minimal rudder torque. It's built to fit where clearance behind the dash is tight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eHow many turns is it lock to lock?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eAbout 3.5 turns, so the wheel is quick and responsive without a lot of spinning to get the boat to react.\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\u003eA rack helm takes up far less room behind the dash and gives direct, slop-free steering. The 90-degree bezel lets it tuck in close on consoles where a rotary helm won't fit.\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 in this kit is 14 feet. Measure your actual cable run before ordering to confirm the length works for your routing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eWhat is the cable made of?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThe M86 uses an armor-wrapped stainless steel core, which keeps friction low and steering efficient under load.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eDoes the rack need maintenance?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eYes. Give the rack a shot of marine grease at the start of each season to keep the feel smooth. Skipping it lets the action get notchy over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eAny install tips for the bezel and cable?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eRoute the cable so it enters the rack as straight as possible to avoid binding, and if your dash is thin fiberglass, add backing plates behind the bezel screws to spread the load.\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 Rack and Pinion Steering System, 14 ft Cable\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\u003eRACKTECH14\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eUPC\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e702755019015\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\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCable Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e14 ft\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\u003eApplication\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePower-assisted sterndrives, minimal rudder torque\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDash Clearance\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuited for minimal clearance behind the dash\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eConfiguration\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSingle-cable steering kit\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's included in the Uflex USA RackTech kit?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"The G86 helm assembly, the X34 90-degree bezel, and the M86 steering cable in a 14-foot length. It's a complete single-cable rack and pinion package.\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"What boats is RackTech designed for?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"Boats with power-assisted sterndrives and applications with minimal rudder torque. 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Measure your actual cable run before ordering to confirm the length works for your routing.\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"What is the cable made of?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"The M86 uses an armor-wrapped stainless steel core, which keeps friction low and steering efficient under load.\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"Does the rack need maintenance?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"Yes. Give the rack a shot of marine grease at the start of each season to keep the feel smooth. 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