1985 Charger Bass Boat Steering Problems - Need Advice!

[achilles555]

Hello all. I recently purchased a 1985 Charger Bass Boat with a 1988 Mercury 150 Black Max XR4. It's kind-of a project boat, and I started getting everything ready for spring fishing season this weekend. Here's the problem: The steering was frozen solid. I spent the weekend trying to get it unstuck. I finally got it to move with a propane torch and some WD-40, but it is not going to turn easily. I then decided to replace the cables - and this is where I am now having problems and need advice. The steering system is an old Detmar (Detroit Marine Engineers) Rack and Pinion Dual Cable System. Detmar doesn't make cables any more, and it would probably be cheaper to put in a whole new system anyway. I have a few options to choose from. Can anyone help me with this? I could do one of the following:

1. Try to find some old Detmar cables to replace the old ones (Approx. $130/cable)
2. Buy a new Dual Cable Rack and Pinion System (Teleflex NFB $390)
3. Replace the old system with a Single Cable Rotary System (Can I even do this - replace a dual rack and pinion with a single cable rotary system?)
4. Replace the old system with a Dual Cable Rotary System

Also, is it really necessary to have the NFB (No feedback) system? There are so many options - and I haven't the slightest on what to do. Any help you guys could give me with this problem would be much appreciated. Thanks!