Ultraflex Complete Heavy Duty Steering Kit

The Ultraflex T85/T85W Complete Heavy-Duty Mechanical Steering Kit combines a compact T85-series rotary helm, a black or white 90° dashboard bezel, an Ultraflex M66 steering cable in the selected length and a black V38B 350mm steering wheel. Intended for selected single-outboard installations from 20–75HP, the matched system provides a 228mm cable stroke and approximately three steering-wheel turns lock-to-lock.

Product Identification

• Brand: Ultraflex
• Product category: Complete mechanical marine steering kit
• Steering-system type: Heavy-duty single-cable rotary steering
• Black-bezel option: T85, part number 38439Z
• White-bezel option: T85W, part number 39213M
• Steering cable: Ultraflex M66, selected length
• Steering wheel: Ultraflex V38B
• Steering-wheel part number: 36517Q
• Steering-wheel colour: Black
• Steering-wheel diameter: 350mm / 13.8in
• Listing application: Selected single-outboard installations from 20–75HP
• Manufacturer drive applications: Outboard, inboard and power-assisted sterndrive
• Maximum boat speed: 50 knots / 57.5mph
• Steering-wheel shaft: Standard 19mm / 3/4in taper

Which Kit Options Are Available?

Choose the helm-bezel colour and required M66 cable length:

• Black-bezel kit: Ultraflex T85 38439Z, selected M66 cable and V38B 36517Q black steering wheel
• White-bezel kit: Ultraflex T85W 39213M, selected M66 cable and V38B 36517Q black steering wheel

Both options use the same helm design, M66 heavy-duty steering cable and V38B steering wheel. Only the bezel colour and helm part number change.

The steering wheel is black in both kit options. The white-bezel kit does not include a white steering wheel.

What Is Included in the Complete Steering Kit?

• One Ultraflex T85-series mechanical rotary steering helm
• One integrated 90° dashboard bezel in black or white
• Helm mounting bracket
• Standard helm and dashboard mounting hardware
• Steering-wheel shaft key, washer and retaining nut
• Spent-cable protection tube and cable bushing
• One Ultraflex M66 heavy-duty mechanical steering cable in the selected length
• One Ultraflex V38B 36517Q black composite steering wheel
• Standard 19mm / 3/4in tapered steering-wheel hub
• Black steering-wheel centre cap

This package supplies the main steering components from the steering wheel and helm through to the engine-side cable output.

What Is Not Included?

• Engine-specific steering connection kit or drag link
• Engine steering arm
• Outboard tilt-tube service parts
• Transom, splashwell or clamp-block mounting components
• Dashboard reinforcement
• Additional installation-specific fasteners not supplied with the individual components
• Professional installation

Check the boat and engine before ordering to establish which engine-side mounting or connection components are required.

What Is This Complete Steering Kit Used For?

The T85 helm converts rotation from the included V38B steering wheel into push-pull movement through the M66 mechanical steering cable. The cable transfers this movement to the boat’s outboard steering assembly.

The complete kit is intended for:

• Leisure boats
• Fishing boats
• Work boats
• Selected single-outboard installations from 20–75HP
• Heavy-duty single-cable mechanical steering
• Helm stations where space behind the dashboard is limited
• Dashboards requiring a 90° helm installation

The T85 is also designed by Ultraflex for correctly specified inboard and power-assisted sterndrive applications. However, this complete-kit listing is intended primarily for selected single-outboard installations.

The installation must remain within the lowest power, speed and load rating specified for the boat, engine, helm, cable and engine connection.

Does the V38B Steering Wheel Fit the T85 Helm?

Yes. The Ultraflex V38B is supplied with a standard 19mm / 3/4in tapered hub, matching the T85 and T85W steering-wheel shaft.

The T85 permits:

• Maximum steering-wheel diameter: 406mm / 16in
• Maximum steering-wheel depth: 127mm / 5in

The included V38B measures:

• Diameter: 350mm / 13.8in
• Depth: 85mm / 3.3in

The V38B is therefore within both the diameter and depth limits specified for the T85. Check clearance around the dashboard, instruments and engine controls before installation.

Does the M66 Cable Need an Adaptor?

No adaptor is required between the included Ultraflex T85 or T85W helm and the M66 steering cable.

The M66 has a grooved helm-end fitting and exposed helical cable section designed to connect directly to the T85 mechanism. The fitting is retained using the T85’s specified screw-and-nut arrangement.

The M66 also has a 7/8in-14 UNF threaded connection nut at the steering-rod end. This must not be confused with the helm’s standard 19mm / 3/4in tapered steering-wheel shaft.

The light-duty Ultraflex M58 cable is not compatible with this kit. The T85 must be used with the M66 cable family.

Is the T85 a No-Feedback Helm?

No. The T85 is a conventional feedback mechanical helm with minimal feedback.

Minimal feedback means the rotary mechanism is designed to reduce the amount of steering load transmitted back through the wheel. It does not include the locking mechanism used in a dedicated no-feedback or non-reaction helm.

Some engine steering torque may therefore still be felt through the steering wheel.

Is the Kit Suitable for an Evinrude E-TEC 50?

The T85 is one of the alternative steering helms identified where the light-duty T67 system is not recommended for an Evinrude E-TEC 50.

This does not make every T85/M66 installation automatically compatible. Before installation, confirm:

• The correct M66 cable length
• The engine-side steering connection
• Full engine steering and tilt movement
• The boat manufacturer’s horsepower rating
• The steering load and operating speed
• Any engine-specific drag link or connection kit required

Steering-System Performance

• Listing engine application: Selected single outboards from 20–75HP
• Maximum boat speed: 50 knots / 57.5mph
• M66 cable stroke: 228mm / 9in
• Steering-wheel movement: Approximately three turns lock-to-lock
• Included wheel diameter: 350mm / 13.8in
• Maximum permitted wheel diameter: 406mm / 16in
• Included wheel depth: 85mm / 3.3in
• Maximum permitted wheel depth: 127mm / 5in
• Minimum cable bend radius: 200mm / 7.9in
• Helm installation angle: 90°
• Cable configuration: Single mechanical steering cable
• Feedback type: Conventional feedback with minimal feedback
• Helm orientation options: Eight positions at 45° intervals
• Steering-wheel shaft: Standard 19mm / 3/4in taper

The eight helm positions allow the M66 cable to enter from the most suitable direction for the space available behind the dashboard.

How Do You Select the Correct M66 Cable Length?

• 1. Measure the black outer jacket of the existing steering cable, identified as measurement D in the cable-measuring diagram.
• 2. Do not include the exposed steering rod, threaded connection nut or metal end fittings.
• 3. Add approximately 2ft / 610mm to the measured outer-jacket length.
• 4. Select the corresponding M66 cable length in feet.
• 5. Where the result falls between two available lengths, select the next longer whole-foot cable.

Replacement cable formula: Required M66 cable length = D + approximately 2ft.

Example: If the existing black outer cable jacket measures 10ft, add approximately 2ft and select a 12ft M66 cable.

This method is intended for replacing an existing steering cable. For a new installation, measure the complete planned cable route and allow sufficient length for gradual bends, dashboard clearance and unrestricted engine movement.

V38B Steering-Wheel Construction

• Three-spoke sports-wheel design
• Composite marine construction
• Anti-shock thermoplastic grip and spokes
• Soft-grip outer rim
• Dished circular profile
• Black grip, spokes and centre cap
• Standard 19mm / 3/4in tapered hub
• 350mm / 13.8in overall diameter
• 85mm / 3.3in overall depth
• Hub and centre cap included

The V38B supplied with this kit is black only.

Helm and Cable Construction

• Compact mechanical rotary helm
• Corrosion-resistant helm materials
• Integrated 90° dashboard bezel
• Eight selectable cable-entry orientations
• Heavy-duty M66 mechanical steering cable
• Durable black protective cable jacket
• Stainless-steel steering rod and eye
• Stainless-steel cable output components
• Grooved helm-end connection
• 7/8in-14 UNF threaded steering-rod connection nut
• 228mm / 9in cable stroke
• Minimum cable bend radius of 200mm / 7.9in
• Direct connection between the M66 cable and T85 helm

Standards and Certifications

• T85/M66 steering system: Exceeds EN 28848 safety requirements
• T85/M66 ABYC reference: Exceeds ABYC P17 safety requirements
• V38B steering wheel: Meets EN 28848, EN 29775 and ABYC P22
• V38B UK standard marking: UKCA
• V38B certifications and markings: CE, NMMA and UKCA

Installation Notes

Use the supplied T85 drilling template and maintain a minimum M66 cable bend radius of 200mm / 7.9in throughout the installation.

The T85 installation requires:

• One central dashboard hole measuring 67mm / 2.64in
• Four mounting holes measuring 7mm / 0.28in each
• Sufficient space for the helm housing and spent-cable protection tube
• Sufficient wheel clearance around instruments and controls

Route the cable away from:

• Sharp edges
• Heat sources
• Electrical wiring
• Moving engine components
• Areas where the cable may be crushed
• Tight or unsupported bends

Do not disassemble the T85 helm while inserting the cable.

After installation, confirm that:

• The engine and boat remain within the listed application and manufacturer ratings
• The selected M66 cable is the correct length
• The wheel clears the dashboard, instruments and controls
• The steering wheel is secure on the tapered shaft
• The cable moves smoothly through its full 228mm stroke
• The engine reaches its complete port-to-starboard steering range
• The engine can be fully lowered and tilted without pulling or binding the cable
• Steering-wheel rotation corresponds with the required direction of turn
• The helm, cable and engine connection remain securely fastened

Marine steering is a safety-critical system. Installation and servicing should follow the current Ultraflex instructions and be completed by a suitably competent marine technician.

Key Features

• Complete matched helm, bezel, cable and steering-wheel package
• Choice of black T85 or white T85W 90° bezel
• T85 black-bezel part number 38439Z
• T85W white-bezel part number 39213M
• Ultraflex M66 heavy-duty cable supplied in the selected length
• Ultraflex V38B 36517Q black steering wheel included
• Black 350mm / 13.8in three-spoke steering wheel
• Standard 19mm / 3/4in tapered wheel hub
• Steering-wheel hub and black centre cap included
• Intended for selected single-outboard installations from 20–75HP
• Maximum boat speed of 50 knots / 57.5mph
• 228mm / 9in steering-cable stroke
• Approximately three turns lock-to-lock
• Maximum permitted wheel diameter of 406mm / 16in
• Maximum permitted wheel depth of 127mm / 5in
• Minimum cable bend radius of 200mm / 7.9in
• Eight helm mounting positions at 45° intervals
• Compact design for restricted dashboard space
• Minimal-feedback conventional steering system
• Corrosion-resistant helm construction
• Heavy-duty black M66 cable jacket
• Stainless-steel cable rod, eye and output components
• No adaptor required between the T85 and M66
• T85/M66 system exceeds EN 28848 and ABYC P17
• Engine-specific steering connection components not included

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the steering wheel included?
Yes. The kit includes one black Ultraflex V38B 36517Q steering wheel with its standard 3/4in tapered hub and black centre cap.

Does the white T85W kit include a white wheel?
No. Both bezel options include the same black V38B steering wheel.

What is the difference between the T85 and T85W kits?
The helm mechanism, M66 cable and V38B wheel are the same. The T85 38439Z has a black bezel, while the T85W 39213M has a white bezel.

Can an M58 cable be used with the T85?
No. The M58 belongs to the separate light-duty steering-cable family. This kit uses an Ultraflex M66 cable.

Can this kit be installed on any 75HP outboard?
No. The listing is intended for selected 20–75HP single-outboard installations. Final suitability depends on the boat rating, engine, steering load, speed, cable route and engine connection.

Is the engine connection kit included?
No. Any required drag link, steering arm, transom mount, splashwell mount or other engine-specific connection must be selected separately.