hydraulic steering vs cable

[seabass2008]

hi all im new to forum but have been avid reader for advice. im getting a 1850 fisherman this weekend with a yamaha f150. the dealer told me that the nfb steering would be just like what i have now a 98 johnson 90 hp as far as steering feel. they also say it would be $1500. for the hydraulic steering which i would rather pay on loan then fork out cash 2 weeks later when my arms are sore and cant write a check.. i think i could handle motor without hydraulic but would my wife be able to if she needs to drive?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: hydraulic steering vs cable

for me nfb would be fine, for her, she's worth $1500, to keep the peace. you will like it also.

 

[seabass2008]

Re: hydraulic steering vs cable

thanks tash i guess my wife has driven her dads boat which has a yamaha f115 on it. she said that wasnt bad but its 35 less horse? and not as deep a boat either.

 

[jevery]

Re: hydraulic steering vs cable

I bought a new Crestliner/Merc. 115 combo with NFB single cable steering. It was as advertised no feedback but very stiff. I?d have rather had regular cable steering with a little feedback and lighter steering. I don?t know if my experience was typical, but it was a brand new boat and the steering seemed to work fine, just stiff ? definitely took both hands to steer. Sold it and bought a Ranger with an F150 and hydraulic steering. Silky smooth and about one third the effort to turn the wheel. Hydraulic certainly costs a lot more but the advantages can be justified with larger motors.

 

[Boatist]

Re: hydraulic steering vs cable

I have a question that I always wanted to know about Hydraulic Steering.
If the motor is shut off how hard is it to steer?
When drifting or running a kicker motor can you steer the boat with the main motor off?
These are things I would want to know before buying Hydraulic Steering.

 

[jevery]

Re: hydraulic steering vs cable

Hydraulic steering is not power assisted in any way. The hub that the steering wheel is mounted on is a small hydraulic pump so there is no difference in effort with motor running or not.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: hydraulic steering vs cable

it is very similar to power steering, rather than moving a cable, you are moving hydrolic oil, there is not any binding in the curves of the hose, that you have in cable steering. the steering helm is the manually operated hydrolic pump.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: hydraulic steering vs cable

go hydro
you will never go back to cables