cable vs hydraulic steering
Oct 31, 2022 14:08:36 #
DC
Loc: Washington state
I need to replace my steering cable on my 16’ Tracer. Since I have to go through the effort of pulling the old out and pulling the new one in I am considering instead of replacing the cable to upgrade it to a hydraulic steering system instead, using one of those conversion kits. My question is has anyone used one of those hydraulic conversion kits on a small boat like mine and was it worth the extra cost? There are a couple of benefits it seems such as
1. You don’t have to worry about corrosion in the cable itself since I often use the boat in salt water
2. It will make it easier to steer.
But that is just my thoughts would like to hear from those who either thought about doing it and decided not to or those who did switch over and how it went and do you think it was worth it. Thanks
1. You don’t have to worry about corrosion in the cable itself since I often use the boat in salt water
2. It will make it easier to steer.
But that is just my thoughts would like to hear from those who either thought about doing it and decided not to or those who did switch over and how it went and do you think it was worth it. Thanks
Oct 31, 2022 14:23:34 #
Oct 31, 2022 14:29:17 #
You also have to install a hydraulic tank that take up space in my thinking 🤔
Oct 31, 2022 14:40:34 #
DC
Loc: Washington state
Billycrap2 wrote:
You also have to install a hydraulic tank that take up space in my thinking 🤔
no tank just tube and pump attached to steering wheel and then the actual piston attaches to the trim tube that the cable now goes trough. if you Bing " hydraulic steering conversion kit for small boats" you will see what I am talking about. of course you can find them on Amazon
Oct 31, 2022 14:48:17 #
DC wrote:
no tank just tube and pump attached to steering wheel and then the actual piston attaches to the trim tube that the cable now goes trough. if you Bing " hydraulic steering conversion kit for small boats" you will see what I am talking about. of course you can find them on Amazon
👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
Oct 31, 2022 15:59:59 #
DC wrote:
I need to replace my steering cable on my 16’ Trac... (show quote)
Not on a small boat, but I put a Teleflex system on my 28ft Luhrs, single Inboard. The helm is the pump and theres no tank. Just run 2 nylon lines to the cylinder. The only seals are in the helm and the cylinder. I used it for 10 yrs until I sold the boat, and it never leaked a drop. The best things I liked about it was lock to lock with 1 finger in both directions, and NO feedback from the rudder. Turn the wheel and let go, and it stays right there. The only thing I've heard about the outboard kits, is get the better, balanced type, not the cheaper one sided one. Good luck DC, and let us know how you make out.
Oct 31, 2022 16:09:30 #
DocB
Loc: Bama
DC wrote:
I need to replace my steering cable on my 16’ Trac... (show quote)
DC, I've never done a conversation, but I will say I really like the hydraulic steering on my bass boat... I'm running a 150 and have no steering torque at all...
Doc
Oct 31, 2022 18:38:03 #
Sounds like Fred did well. Hands down Hydraulic is way better. The question is the ability of whoever installs it and if everything is as easy as the ads or whatever claim. Fred hit nail on head. Yes the wheel is what pumps it. All of them I seen had a little reservoir at the helm . Think about it. If there is no air there can’t be much if any play in the steering. Maybe a pin or bolt that the cylinder has to connect but not cables to stretch or thermally change. Liquid can change but it will not effect it like cables will.
Oct 31, 2022 20:57:53 #
Caveat: I have no knowledge about the commercially available conversion kits.
I helped my brother (at the time a hydraulic engineer servicing primarily lumber mills) install hydraulics on his 21' Aluminum Jet Sled.
The steering was great (one finger steering even in sharp high-speed turns--no noticeable push-back from hitting steep waves on the quarter--no play/torque in the steering). We also installed a lever valve that would lock the wheel in any position.
We also installed a hydraulic swing-arm winch (picture Deadliest Catch, but slower) to pull up his traps (heavy and deep) and anchors. This required a pump that was driven by the engine and a pressure tank (to make the winch independent of the drivetrain).
He said that it was a breeze to add his combo auto and RC pilot a few years later. He said that he just had to reroute a few lines. (I wasn't involved with this part and don't know if it used the pump that was installed for the winch).
Regarding blown seals. Unless you use a high pressure pump, they're not a problem--they may be messy but it is not a critical problem and greatly preferred over a snapped or jammed (usually caused by fraying inside the housing) cable.
After having my steering chain break on my 21' ChrisCraft cruiser going across the Columbia Bar (aka Graveyard of the Pacific) I would factor the cost of a hydraulic system into the cost of my next big boat.
Feel free to shoot me questions. I'll answer what I can remember. (Unfortunately, my brother passed last May)
PapaD
I helped my brother (at the time a hydraulic engineer servicing primarily lumber mills) install hydraulics on his 21' Aluminum Jet Sled.
The steering was great (one finger steering even in sharp high-speed turns--no noticeable push-back from hitting steep waves on the quarter--no play/torque in the steering). We also installed a lever valve that would lock the wheel in any position.
We also installed a hydraulic swing-arm winch (picture Deadliest Catch, but slower) to pull up his traps (heavy and deep) and anchors. This required a pump that was driven by the engine and a pressure tank (to make the winch independent of the drivetrain).
He said that it was a breeze to add his combo auto and RC pilot a few years later. He said that he just had to reroute a few lines. (I wasn't involved with this part and don't know if it used the pump that was installed for the winch).
Regarding blown seals. Unless you use a high pressure pump, they're not a problem--they may be messy but it is not a critical problem and greatly preferred over a snapped or jammed (usually caused by fraying inside the housing) cable.
After having my steering chain break on my 21' ChrisCraft cruiser going across the Columbia Bar (aka Graveyard of the Pacific) I would factor the cost of a hydraulic system into the cost of my next big boat.
Feel free to shoot me questions. I'll answer what I can remember. (Unfortunately, my brother passed last May)
PapaD
Oct 31, 2022 21:23:37 #
DC
Loc: Washington state
want to thank all of you for responding. I'm thinking I will make this my winter project to change it over to hydraulic by spring fishing season. unless of course I win the 1 billion dollar powerball tonight in which case I'll just but a new boat that already has it installed
Oct 31, 2022 21:26:11 #
Oct 31, 2022 21:29:54 #
DC wrote:
want to thank all of you for responding. I'm thinking I will make this my winter project to change it over to hydraulic by spring fishing season. unless of course I win the 1 billion dollar powerball tonight in which case I'll just but a new boat that already has it installed
If I win, we all get new boats DC.
Oct 31, 2022 23:10:10 #
Fredfish wrote:
If I win, we all get new boats DC.
400 million tax free is some cool Fishingstage Boats by Fred. Your such a generous guy.
Oct 31, 2022 23:12:24 #
Jeremy wrote:
400 million tax free is some cool Fishingstage Boats by Fred. Your such a generous guy.
Oct 31, 2022 23:16:37 #
DC
Loc: Washington state
Jeremy wrote:
400 million tax free is some cool Fishingstage Boats by Fred. Your such a generous guy.
yep that Fred is one generous dude. by the way will those be inflatable canoes or 22' woolridge? just curious how much room I need to make in my garage
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