A hydraulic system would be way cool, but probably not worth the investment on this older boat. I pulled the part number off my cable and ordered a new one only to find that when I pulled my cable all the way out I had 2 different part numbers on it and I had ordered the wrong one!

I've talked to TeleFlex a few times now and I believe that the NFB system is actually a rack and pinion style that has two cables. It looks like a setup that connects to either side of the rudder (it would require two arms on the rudder) so one cable extends while the other contracts, making it a tighter setup than a single cable. This has to be used with a specific helm unit too so there would be some other upgrades in order to make it all work.

Anyway, after feeeling the smooth 2 finger action to slide the new cable in and out of the casing compared to my super tight frozen one I'm confident just having the new (correct) cable installed will make it feel like a new boat again!

Hell I may even be able to drive those doubleups that we keep wanting to try!