Is Hydraulic steering worth it ?

[Patty Pooh]

I am going to buy a new 2005 model 2002 trophy walk around with a 135 optimax motor. I dont know much about hydraulic steering so im trying to see if it is worth to get it. The boat comes standard with cable steering with no feedback. What are the differences between both and the ups and downs. Thanks

 

[cuzner]

Re: Is Hydraulic steering worth it ?

I,m not familiar with outboard version, but I have ps on my lattest boat and hate it!!! specialy docking. I,m sure I will eventualy get used to it ( its been 1 year).I realy miss the feel of turning,and tend to oversteer. Personaly I wouln'nt do it, at least see if you can find someone with power steering, and give it a test before you invest the money.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Is Hydraulic steering worth it ?

Hydraulic steering and power steering are two completely different things.

 

[swist]

Re: Is Hydraulic steering worth it ?

There are 3 kinds of steering, let's not get confused.<br /><br />1) Cable - for the smallest boats, even with the no-feedback, you are mechanically moving the motor via a direct connection from the helm. A boat/engine doesn;t have to get too big before this becomes very tiring.<br /><br />2) Hydraulic - Hydraulic fluid hoses replace the cables. The system is configured so that there is a mechanical advantage (wheel turns a lot to move the engine a little). There is much less effort at the wheel, and no feedback, but the number of turns lock-to-lock is going to be significant, which may impair your reaction time.<br /><br />3) Power steering. Like a car - a variation of hydraulic steering where the actual pressure to move the hydraulic fluid is provided by an engine-driven pump. The force and number of turns at the wheel is greatly reduced. <br /><br />There has been some criticism that power steering is not more readily available in midsize boats since it provides the best reaction characteristics. The human-powered options (1) and (2) may not get you out of a tight spot in a hurry.

 

[Patty Pooh]

Re: Is Hydraulic steering worth it ?

So what happens if your hydraulic stops working? Can you turn the motor at all?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Is Hydraulic steering worth it ?

Well, you probably wont be able to steer the motor but if you disconnect the link you can still turn the motor by hand but you wont be going very fast at all.<br /><br />It really depends on what happened that made it quit working.

 

[ewenm]

Re: Is Hydraulic steering worth it ?

i have a 23 foot mini cruiser with power steering and love it - a little more than 2 turns lock to lock. ive had a 17ft half cab with manual steering ( single cable, Teleflex)and that was ok while kept lubricated. mand ive driven a 21ft bow rider with hydraulic steering that swared be wittless it loaded up in turns and i this particular boat was down right scary.however i have also tried it in a 25ft Bertram and it was ok<br /><br />Ewen

 

[Boatist]

Re: Is Hydraulic steering worth it ?

Question I have had and never really got a good answer to is. <br /><br />Can I steer the boat with out the motor running?<br /><br />Reason I ask is my boat right now does not have Hydraulic steering and can steer fine with motor off. I use a EZ steer to steer my kicker so need to be able to steer with out main motor running when trolling on the kicker.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Is Hydraulic steering worth it ?

You asked what happens if the hydraulics stopped working. I assumed you meant the hydraulic steering. You could have meant the hydraulic part of the power steering. Sorry. But you didnt say anything about the motor not running.<br /><br />On straight hydraulic steering, yes you can still turn the motor without the motor running. It has nothing to do with the motor at all. Just like the push-pull cable system you have now.<br /><br />With power steering, whether its activated by hydraulic steering or manual steering, the motor has to be running for the power steering pump to create pressure. If the motor is not running you can still turn it but it will be hard. Just like your car.