# Best steering cable for old Matthews launch?
**URL:** https://forum.oldboatshome.com/t/best-steering-cable-for-old-matthews-launch/313
**Category:** MECHANICAL
**Created:** [February 8, 2024, 1:09pm UTC](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/t/best-steering-cable-for-old-matthews-launch/313 "2024-02-08T13:09:32Z")
**Posts on this page:** 15
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@dusk](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/u/dusk)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2024, 1:09pm UTC](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/t/best-steering-cable-for-old-matthews-launch/313/1 "2024-02-08T13:09:32Z")
Picked up a 1902 22’ launch barn find this fall. Need to replace steering cable. Had a chain originally, but has been lost to time. Trying to keep it original, but willing to vary on the cable as I’ve found the ability to reliably steer a boat useful. Has bow and side steer station.
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### Author:  [@matt](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/u/matt)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2024, 5:14pm UTC](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/t/best-steering-cable-for-old-matthews-launch/313/2 "2024-02-08T17:14:12Z")
Do you have a photo of the original?
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### Author:  [@dusk](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/u/dusk)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2024, 12:51am UTC](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/t/best-steering-cable-for-old-matthews-launch/313/3 "2024-02-09T00:51:24Z")
Hello Matt,
The pic from the 40s below shows a small part of the original chain drive on the side steering station. I tried to send two add’l pics of the setup currently, but as a newbie, I am allowed only one.
Thanks for any help!
Mark
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### Author:  [@dusk](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/u/dusk)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2024, 12:56am UTC](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/t/best-steering-cable-for-old-matthews-launch/313/4 "2024-02-09T00:56:13Z")
Here is the rudder connection currently…yikes!
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### Author:  [@dusk](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/u/dusk)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2024, 1:03am UTC](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/t/best-steering-cable-for-old-matthews-launch/313/5 "2024-02-09T01:03:55Z")
And the current steering setup
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### Author:  [@Syd](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/u/Syd)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2024, 9:10pm UTC](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/t/best-steering-cable-for-old-matthews-launch/313/6 "2024-02-10T21:10:41Z")
It may have had bronze cable at the ends of the chain. Nice find and boat. Is that a Fay & Bowen motor? I have a LoZier launch and Mathew’s made the hulls for them.
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### Author:  [@Syd](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/u/Syd)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2024, 9:17pm UTC](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/t/best-steering-cable-for-old-matthews-launch/313/7 "2024-02-10T21:17:48Z")
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### Author:  [@dusk](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/u/dusk)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2024, 7:57pm UTC](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/t/best-steering-cable-for-old-matthews-launch/313/8 "2024-02-11T19:57:52Z")
Good eye, Syd! It is a Fay & Bowen 5 or 6hp single cylinder. What kind of steering cable does your launch use?
Lozier is an interesting story as well. Went from bicycles to motors (moving from Toledo/Cleveland to Plattsburgh to make motors for launches and then switched to making cars, when most were moving to Detroit!)
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### Author:  [@DavidK](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/u/DavidK)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2024, 1:48pm UTC](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/t/best-steering-cable-for-old-matthews-launch/313/9 "2024-02-12T13:48:15Z")
I have A 1930 Luders commuter that used a very similar steering quadrant. When I rebuilt the boat, I replaced the cable with 1 x 19 stainless because it was quite flexible. It has worked fine for years. Not the least expensive, but I believe it to be a good choice.
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### Author:  [@dusk](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/u/dusk)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2024, 10:22pm UTC](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/t/best-steering-cable-for-old-matthews-launch/313/10 "2024-02-12T22:22:42Z")
Thanks David. As a total newbie on steering cable, where do I find it? And is it encased in a plastic sleeve? If not, won’t it mar or dig into the steering drums?
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### Author:  [@DavidK](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/u/DavidK)
#### Post date: [February 13, 2024, 2:54am UTC](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/t/best-steering-cable-for-old-matthews-launch/313/11 "2024-02-13T02:54:13Z")
The cable loft in Florida is a good supplier 888-535-7286. The plastic isn’t necessary. They typically brushed a heavy grease on the wire rope near the pulley to lubricate it.
Regards,
David K Van Ness
Van Ness Engineering LLC
201 445 8685
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### Author:  [@dusk](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/u/dusk)
#### Post date: [February 13, 2024, 1:27pm UTC](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/t/best-steering-cable-for-old-matthews-launch/313/12 "2024-02-13T13:27:37Z")
Thanks!
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### Author:  [@Arnie](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/u/Arnie)
#### Post date: [February 13, 2024, 3:50pm UTC](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/t/best-steering-cable-for-old-matthews-launch/313/13 "2024-02-13T15:50:27Z")
Home Depot has vinyl covered steel cable sold by the foot - it is about 5/32” or 3/16” in diameter. I use it for replacing outboard engine steering cable. Check it out!
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### Author:  [@Syd](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/u/Syd)
#### Post date: [March 5, 2024, 11:56am UTC](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/t/best-steering-cable-for-old-matthews-launch/313/14 "2024-03-05T11:56:54Z")
My LoZier uses a bronze cable
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### Author:  [@dusk](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/u/dusk)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2024, 12:36pm UTC](https://forum.oldboatshome.com/t/best-steering-cable-for-old-matthews-launch/313/15 "2024-03-13T12:36:03Z")
Thanks, Syd!
Does your Lozier have the same rudder cable connection? If so, can you post a pic of how it is threaded/connected?