Hydraulic steering

[traveller022]

My Ribeye 550 has a Mariner 90 Optimax and the steering is so heavy I am thinking of changing it to hydraulic. Has anyone any experience of how big a job it is, approximate cost and of any reliable suppliers?

[Downhilldai]

Easy job - a couple of hours work. Will set you back around £440, or a bit less, if you shop around:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TELEFLEX-BAYST...item19b89d06f5

I'd be concerned as to why the existing steering is heavy. Has it always been like that?

[Hightower]

Try these Guys.

http://www.ribstuff.com/component/pa...art/Itemid,29/

[traveller022]

Yes it has been that way since i bought it second hand 2 years ago. I got it checked at the service and the dealer said it was fully lubricated. It is very stiff in 1 direction and ok the other - presumably due to the prop torque. Its bordering on dangerous as its really hard to straighten up after a hard turn.

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by traveller022

Yes it has been that way since i bought it second hand 2 years ago. I got it checked at the service and the dealer said it was fully lubricated. It is very stiff in 1 direction and ok the other - presumably due to the prop torque. Its bordering on dangerous as its really hard to straighten up after a hard turn.

To be honest if it's torque steer then even with hydraulic steering it's going to be heavier one way than the other. Obviously you can choose different capacity pumps that will increase or decrease the steering ratio to suit your needs.

Try to adjust the Trim level when steering to equal the torque steer and make it easier to turn.

[Downhilldai]

Are you running it with the motor fully trimmed in?

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by traveller022

It is very stiff in 1 direction and ok the other - presumably due to the prop torque. Its bordering on dangerous as its really hard to straighten up after a hard turn.

Is this on the 90HP in your profile? I would be surprised if such a difference was 'prop torque' alone on a 90HP? Is it only difficult at full throttle or at all speeds?

[two stroke mick]

You should adjust the little tab on the cav plate as I had a similar proble with a 60 hp when full trimmed in

TSM

[traveller022]

Re the tab on the cav plate, the engine runs in a straight line and you can take your hands of the steering and it wont go off course, and presumably moving that will affect this. It is worse when trimmed in but still bad when trimmed out. Yes its the same at all speeds. I'm trying to get my wife to drive it more and this isn't helping her confidence. The steering is fine when the engine's not running.

[two stroke mick]

You are discribing the exact same problems that I had. I was also considering purchasing a hydraulic system. The tab counteracts the tourque effect of the prop when not running parrallel to the water surface

TSM