Teleflex SeaStar Steering Kits: Match Your Boat with the Right Rotary or Rack System

When you're shopping for marine steering controls, the two things that matter most are the type of helm and the length of cable you need. The four Teleflex SeaStar systems here cover both QC Rotary and rack-and-pinion designs, with cable lengths from 12 feet to 17 feet and listed prices from USD 169.78 to USD 199.89.

Quick take: If you want a rotary helm with a no-tools cable connection at the helm, the QC Rotary kits are the group to focus on. If you prefer a rack-and-pinion helm for a 12-foot run, the SS14112 is the one to compare.

Listed price comparison

Decision matrix

• SS13715: Choose when you want the QC Rotary helm in the shortest rotary cable option in this group.
• SS13716: Choose when you want the middle rotary cable length with the same QC Rotary helm.
• SS13717: Choose for the longest rotary cable and the lowest listed price.
• SS14112: Choose when you want the rack-and-pinion helm with the 12-foot cable.

Use this matrix alongside the price table to narrow down which helm style and cable length fit your boat.

Product notes

Teleflex Seastar SS13715 | QC Rotary 15 FT

The SS13715 pairs the QC Rotary helm with a 15-foot cable. It provides 3-turn steering and a no-tools cable connection at the helm, with a 3/4-inch standard tapered keyway and 90-degree bezel. The kit is single-station and single-cable, and the helm accepts wheels up to 16 inches in diameter. Choose this when your boat needs a 15-foot run and you want the rotary helm's quicker response. One limitation: it sits at the higher end of the rotary group's listed prices, and an installation manual is not included. For a 15-foot single-station setup, this gives you the rotary helm's quicker response without the extra cable of the longer kits.

Teleflex Seastar SS13716 | QC Rotary 16 FT

The SS13716 includes a 16-foot cable with the QC Rotary helm. It shares the 3-turn steering, no-tools cable connection, 3/4-inch keyway, and 90-degree bezel. Color is listed as black/silver, and the country of origin is the United States. It sits between the 15- and 17-foot rotary kits in cable length. Pick it if 16 feet matches your helm-to-engine path. The single-station, single-cable configuration is the main thing to keep in mind if you need a second control. It also comes with the same included bezel and keyway, so the difference from the 15-foot version is mainly cable length and listed price.

Teleflex Seastar SS13717 | QC Rotary 17 FT

The SS13717 is the longest rotary option here with a 17-foot cable. It also uses the QC Rotary helm with 3-turn steering and the no-tools cable connection, and includes a 90-degree bezel and 3/4-inch keyway. The helm accepts wheels up to 16 inches in diameter. If your cable run is closer to 17 feet, this gives you that reach without a higher listed price. Its limitation is that a 17-foot cable is more than needed for many boats, and the listed warranty is No Warranty. The no-tools connection at the helm is the same as the other QC Rotary models, which keeps installation consistent across the group.

Teleflex Seastar SS14112 | Rack and Pinion 12 FT

The SS14112 is the only rack-and-pinion steering system in this comparison. It includes a 12-foot cable, a helm with 4 turns lock-to-lock, stainless steel cable output end construction, and backward compatible mounting. Construction uses zamak casting with zinc plated steel, and the kit comes with a bezel and hardware. Choose it if you want the rack system's lower steering effort for a shorter run. The limitation is the higher listed price relative to the rotary kits, and the 12-foot cable won't cover longer runs. The stainless steel output end is a specific feature of this rack system, while the rotary kits rely on the QC cable connection instead.

Final recommendation

For a QC Rotary helm, pick the SS13715, SS13716, or SS13717 based on how far the cable has to travel. For a rack-and-pinion helm, pick the SS14112.