Hydraulic Steering

[MrGman]

Good afternoon. I have aquestion about the need for Hydraulic Steering. I am considering buying a 2009 Princecraft Pro 176 (http://www.princecraft.com/Content/en-US/produit/611/Pro-176.aspx) with a Mercury 115 Optimax. I am being told by the dealer that I should install hydraulic steering (a $1,000 CAD upgdare)even though this boat comes with dual cable zero feedback steering. He is telling me that the steering will be very "rough" without the hydraulics and he highly recommends the upgrade. As you can see from the link the boat is 17'6" and weighs about 1400 lbs. Not a large boat by any means. Does it make sense or does this sound like an attempt to have me install something I really don't need?

This is my first non tiller boat and I have very little experience with wheel based steering systems.

Thanks.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Hydraulic Steering

Both the no-feedback and the hydraulic hide or mask the torque in the wheel. Obviously the hydraulic does a better job. Both try to hide it but neither eliminate it. It'd be much better for everyone if the dealer would just work the set up to eliminate the torque, or at least the majority of it. That's a pretty decent combo but nothing real hi-performance. I'd have a hard time believing the dual cable isn't sufficient.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Hydraulic Steering

Yeah! 115 on a 18 foot hull does not require hydraulic steering. If it was an absolute necessity, the factory would have installed it. However, if money doesn't matter, it is a nice upgrade. It would be nice if the boat came with it but the dual cable NFB should be more than sufficient. Even single cable would probably be enough on that size boat.

You may find torque reaction when trim is tucked all the way in, like in a hole shot, but it would be rare to run in this position so it would be an acceptable transitory thing.

Just for example: I have a 14 foot hull with a 125 on it and a single cable steering helm. It goes 60MPH. It has a little play but nothing excessive and steering is not heavy. I also have a 20 foot cuddy with a 140 and single cable helm. It goes 40. It steers straight with no excessive torque reaction and there is no discernable play in the system. That's it in the avatar in the upper left.

I had a 18 foot hull with a 125 and single cable helm: again, no problems.

Hydraulic is really only an absolute necessity on higher horsepower engines, speeds over 50, or racing applications. Ask further what the dealer means by "rough". Probe deeply but respectfully and don't settle for a quick answer. He may be experienced with this hull and know something he is not explaining adequately. You don't want to alienate him, just get adequate information to make an informed decision.

 

[MrGman]

Re: Hydraulic Steering

Thanks for the feedback gents. What you have said makes complete sense to me. I view the hydraulic as a nice to have not a necessity. If I was going with a 150hp I might consider it but based on my research I don't feel it is necessary especially if everything is setup properly. I'll save the 1k for some new fishing gear

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Hydraulic Steering

Yeah I think you'd be fine with single, so there's no need to upgrade.

Hydraulic is nicer though but it's up to you if you think it's worth the $$$

 

[jdp8488]

Re: Hydraulic Steering

if you do decide, $1000 installed isnt too bad of a price. ive been checkin around on it too, but the boat is 17' with 175, 70+mph boat. i cant even really turn the wheel at wot. for me i think its almost a necessity, your set up should be pretty smooth without it. just dont drive a boat with hydra steering, then u will want it too...

 

[F_R]

Re: Hydraulic Steering

Hard steering was probably the most frequent complaint that we received with hydraulic steering systems. Don't be fooled, hydraulic steering is not power steering. It takes just about as much effort to turn the wheel with hydraulic as it does with cable. Now that I've said that, yes it is possible to select the helm and cylinder sizes to give some advantage, trading more turns for easier steering. You also do not have the friction of the sliding parts of the cable when using hydraulic. The big advantage of hydraulic and/or NFB is the wheel stays where you put it when you stop turning it instead of going into a wild spin.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Hydraulic Steering

Hydraulic steering is better on huge engines so if you were getting a boat with a 250 I would say ya but on an 18' boat with a 115 I think you will be fine with the cable.

I agree, the price isn't bad so if you have the money but as someone else pointed out hydraulic doesn't mean easier, alot of the boats at work have it and you have to kinda muscle them around.

Save the grand and put it into something else you want for the boat.