Hydraulic vs. Dual Cable

[croSSed]

I have a 17' go-fast boat with an Merc. XR2 150 capable of 70 mph. Presently it has single cable steering. Chine walk and torque steer are problems. I have access to a Teleflex Seastar hydraulic steering system. I'm also considering a standard dual cable steering system (NOT nfb). What would y'all suggest between these two systems in my application? Thanks!

TG

 

[BaileysBoat]

Re: Hydraulic vs. Dual Cable

I like Seastar. Easy to rig, good feel.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Hydraulic vs. Dual Cable

Hydraulic if you can afford it is the way to go.

What kind of boat do you have?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Hydraulic vs. Dual Cable

The problem with hydraulic is that you lose the feel. When driving a boat like that you need all the feel you can get. The other thing about hydraulic is that it will mask the torque in the wheel. You won't feel it but it'll be there. With a boat like that you'll need to work the gearcase to eliminate the torque. When there's torque in the wheel the gearcase is not running straight thru the water.

If you do go with hydraulic make sure you use the "Allison" cylinder. The part number starts with a 6 rather than a 5, I believe. At any rate it's a different cylinder. You'll never get the play out of a standard cylinder and with play in the system driving thru chine walk is very difficult at best.

If you go with hydraulic make sure you use Kevlar hoses. The standard lines can expand and actually cause lose steering again. The idea is to have 0 play in the wheel. The dual cable steering is very easy to get to 0 play, the hydraulic is probably (maybe) easier to rig and move as you change jackplate height and setback.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Hydraulic vs. Dual Cable

Post your question on the scream and fly .com forum you'll get more accurate answers.

At a minimum you want dual cable but what you really want is the hydraulic.

Every guy running fast is using hydraulic but since your only going up to 70 (which is real good for a 150) you only NEED dual cable, but the preferred setup is hydraulic.

 

[Glastron1987]

Re: Hydraulic vs. Dual Cable

I've had two boats with dual cable steering, a 17ft. 1981 Baja with a 150hp Black Max, and an 18ft. 1987 Glastron bowdrider with a 150 XR4. Both boats run 55-60. I converted to Glastron to Teleflex Hydraulic Steering several years ago. It has been lower maintenance, and performs wonderfully. Very happy I converted. Not sure how it would perform at 70mph, but I would guess just fine. Would never go back to dual cables.

 

[jevery]

Re: Hydraulic vs. Dual Cable

Standard equipment on most upper end bass boats with 150 and up motors. Never heard of anyone unhappy that they upgraded to hydraulic.