Description
Complete mechanical boat steering kit: Pretech 3000 Gen II rotary helm, 90 degree snap-on bezel and a genuine Pretech stainless steering cable in your chosen length. This is the everyday workhorse steering system for New Zealand outboard boats up to about 7.5 m, from tinnies and runabouts to centre consoles and small cabin boats. Just pick the cable length and add a steering wheel.
Why the 3000 Gen II
- Planetary gear design for smooth, even steering with no dead spots
- Approximately 3.8 turns lock to lock, quick enough for a responsive outboard boat
- Suits single station boats up to about 7.5 m
- Standard 3/4 inch tapered shaft, takes any standard boat steering wheel up to 400 mm
- Fast, easy installation with the supplied 90 degree snap-on bezel; a 20 degree bezel is available separately
- Corrosion resistant construction for salt water use
What is in the kit
- Pretech 3000 Gen II rotary helm
- 90 degree snap-on bezel
- Pretech rotary steering cable with stainless ends, in the length you select (3.0 m to 6.25 m in 250 mm steps)
- Fitting hardware
Steering wheel not included. Choose a 350 mm or 400 mm wheel from our steering wheels range.
How to measure your steering cable
How to measure a boat steering cable: with the engine straight ahead, measure from the centre of the steering wheel (the helm) along the exact path the cable will run to the centre of the engine tilt tube, add 150 mm for the cable to sit naturally, then round up to the next available length. If the run has tight bends, allow for them (minimum bend radius is 200 mm). If you are replacing an existing cable, the length is usually printed on the old cable jacket near the helm end.
Replacing an older rotary steering system
The 3000 Gen II is a bolt-in replacement for the standard rotary steering helms fitted to most NZ outboard boats, so upgrading an old, stiff steering system usually means swapping the helm and cable in an afternoon with no new holes in the dash. If you are not sure what is in your boat now, send us a photo of the helm and cable and we will tell you what you need.
Please note: this kit is assembled by Boatgear from several components, so it can show as out of stock while an assembled batch is being entered into stock. Ring us on 0800 273 9180 if you need one urgently and we will check the parts on the shelf.
Common questions
Is this the right steering kit for my boat? It suits single station outboard boats up to about 7.5 m with a standard rotary steering setup. For boats over 7.5 m, high horsepower outboards or twin engines, look at our Pretech SteerFlex hydraulic steering kits instead.
How many turns lock to lock? Approximately 3.8 turns.
What is the difference between this and the ZTS kit? The ZTS (Zero Torque System) helm has almost no feedback through the wheel, so the boat holds its line without you fighting the engine's torque. The 3000 Gen II is the standard rotary helm at a lower price.
Does the kit include a steering wheel? No. Any standard 3/4 inch tapered shaft wheel up to 400 mm fits; see our steering wheels.
Pretech steering from a New Zealand wholesaler
Boatgear is Pretech's New Zealand distributor. We hold these kits, spare cables, bezels and helms in Auckland and ship nationwide, usually dispatched the next working day, or you can buy through any of our dealers.
