Hydraulic Steering

[Adam F]

What do the forum members think about Hydraulic Steering? Is it worth it? What should we go for?

 

We hadnt budgeted for it. We have been rcommended it, but the budget is being squeezed so we are looking to prioritise!

 

If we do go for it, what system do you recommend?

[Maverick Martin]

Adam

 

if you can stretch to it hydraulic steering is the way to go. I had it on maverick it worked faultlesly have been thinking of changing Awols steering to hydraulic also

 

Don't know about makes however

 

Martin

[gaffa]

Adam,

 

I've got the Baystar (Teleflex)system on mine and have had a few problems with it http://www.teleflexmarine.com/index.cgi?type=int

 

Basically when its in tip top order its great the faster you go the heavier it gets so when at speed the steering is heavily damped and requires a fair effort to turn the wheel.

 

At low speed its well balanced and turns my 115hp outboard over its full range effortlessly.

 

Problem I experienced was that there was insufficient fluid in the Steering Wheel hydraulic Hub and this meant that the Hydraulic cylinder had less fluid in one side to the other . (as its a double ended cylinder with different fluid volumes web site should explain further)

 

This caused great anxiety at low speed manouverings as to turn to starboard only required 1 turn of the wheel but to turn the equavalent to port required 4 turns of the wheel.

 

Topping up the hub initially sorted out the problem but exposed the true fault in that the cylinder rod seals were leaking............

At the moment the boat is out of the water being serviced and the above repaired by Holes Bay Marine

 

Initial investigation showed it wasn't possible to replace the seals without removing the whole outboard motor off the transom or deinstalling the cylinder,but was possible to replace the cylinder complete by just loosening the motors fixing bolts and tilting it backwards a tad.

Replacement cylinder costs around

[great white]

Adam/Bob

 

My Volvo came with hydraulic steering that works with a servo Pump on the engine

and a remote header tank/resovoir

 

The wheel is not huge but the steering is nice and light especially when the engine is running with the servo PP running. The duo props probably also help with keeping teh boat running straight.

 

By having the resevoir it means that the system has a lot m,ore oil than the type that just operate by the pump in the wheel hub.

 

It is badged Volvo but I am sure it is not their make, It may be worth checking with your engine supplier.

 

Well worth having IMHO

 

Charlie

[Mike Fox]

Adam,

Whatever you get, would be worth ensuring that the design stage includes emergency steering from the outset.

 

Imagine being towed with hydraulic steering with engine failure, and no pump pressure!

 

Or having all of that horse power, and no way to steer.

 

Just a thought...

 

Mike

[Adam F]

Thanks Mike - a good point. I see that most makes feature emergancy steering that reverts to 'normal' if it fails.

 

Martin - how do you find the cable steering on Awol at the moment, and how are you planning to fit the auto pilot - dont you need hydraulic?

[Wedger]

Two systems available though!!

 

Hydraulic steering (Powered (by engine))

 

and Hydraulic steering (manual)

 

 

I don't have it yet!! but from what I gather, for our size of boat, the manual type hydraulic will do without being power assisted.

 

I am about to order the manual type!

 

 

[Maverick Martin]

The cable steering on Awol was really light when i first got the boat. we have since had a problem with the steering locking up but that was to do with the legg. The steering is now ok again although not as light as it was.

 

You do not necessarily need hydraulic steering for Auto Pilot. Raymarine are about to bring out a new system called the Sport Pilot. This is designed to go behind the boats wheel. There is an electronic controller (no not the fat one ) a fluxgate compass and a course computer. This has been fitted on Awol for trials and I will report when we have had a few trips with it. It seems to be a quality piece of kit that will retail around

[Adam F]

Two systems available though!!

 

Hydraulic steering (Powered (by engine))

 

and Hydraulic steering (manual)

 

OK - we have power assisted steering from the engine, so I guess we have the first one? Bl00dy confusing all this

[Wedger]

Yes.......

 

Power steering only really gives you the sh1t5, when you have two engines, but the steering is powered by one. Mariners in this situation feel invinsible until they loose the left engine..........................

 

They can go in circles for hours.............

 

However, if you only have one engine...... you've probably made provision for its loss, and can get home.

 

I'd still prefer manual hydraulic on anything below 3.5 tonnes.......... just me

 

 

[shytalk]

emergency steering on an outdrive is not realy practical i think it would be a case of tilting the leg up and pushing a rope home !!!!! hydraulic steering should not get heavier as you go faster unless somethings wrong if it feels heavy then the ram is to small for the application the ram is the power the helm dictates how many turns of the wheel to get you round

[great white]

Adam

 

It sounds as if you have power assisted movement of the leg for steering purposes but is the control of the steering done using a cable.

 

several engines use that method the commands are passed by a cable from the helm to the leg and the effort to turn the leg is supplied by an engine driven pump.

 

In my case they are both hydraulic.

The helm unit contains a small manual pump and is able to steer the leg if the engine is not running, but as Pete says it is less effiecient and takes more turns to move the leg.

With the engine running the pressure is supplied by the servo pump.

 

A bit like a car try steering or braking with the engine stopped as compared to with it running. [NOT ON THE HIGHWAY] It will steer or stop eventually.

 

As Peter says Mike,

I am not sure how emergancy steering works on a Modern leg, I believe we discussed that on my seacheck and decided that getting it central and using other methods at slow speed toalter course while we head for home would be an only option [Transfer weight, drag line or sea anchor etc etc]

then a tow to mooring or drop anchor

 

Hope that helps

Charlie