The steering on my bass boat has been getting stiffer over the past year. I was told there is a way to lube the steering cables and loosen up the steering. Have also heard this is just a temporary fix thats good for a year or so. Mechanic wants $500 to install new cables.

Looking for some advice on how to correct this.

When the boat is on plane, the steering is not as stiff, just when I'm motoring at a slow speed.

I would get them changed or do it myself. If you can afford it, consider switching to hydraulic steering. It will be the best thing you ever did to your boat.

First never put grease on cables that is the cause of your problems.

So if you can pull them out of the motor and clean with carb cleaner until the brown goo goes away. Relube with penetrating oil or silicone but never grease

Cables will last decades if you don't bind them up.

http://hydrostream.org/ArticleArchives/Luber.htm (may hafta copy n paste)

this is a good thread if ya can do little "fab" work... its an'ole Louisiana trick that works really well.. need lotsa rags cause it can get messy....says 140 lbs on air but recommend ya start slowly on air pressure.

where its showing "weld".. thats a used tilt pin/cable tube welded in tha end of tha pipe for attachin' tha cable..

last one i did this on was still jus fine after 4 ta 5 years best i remember...

Steering is a safety issue, please replace the cables or add hydraulic steering. If I can help call me. Thanks!