Hydraulic Steering - What to get?

[Jimbo]

Having spent 4 hours greasing the cable steering and outboard saddle on Greyhound, I've decided to change the steering.

First option was to buy another no feedback steering cable. Cheaper in initial outlay yes, however I have the following issues. One is it will always be cable steering, it will always be heavier than Hydraulic (which on a training boat is not a good thing, as the three ladies that were on a course in Greyhound last week will attest), and two is I simply do not think I will be able to re-run a steering cable through the under console channels, as it is damn tight in there. I suspect trying this would take up a ridiculous amount of time, and as they say, time is money.

So, I have decided to go Hydraulic (sorry Pete7!). Looking at my options now, Vetus do the following two kits that I hope may be suitable:

http://www.chandlery.net/products/405050.html
http://www.chandlery.net/products/405052.html

On them, they say that you have to work out the steering torque of the outboard. It's a 115hp Yamaha 2 Stroke V4 - does anyone know the torque or how I could work it out?

Finally - anyone got any other suggestions as to steering kits I should be looking at? Ideally for about a fiver...

[Jimbo]

This also looks to be a good price - but the description is a little lacking, so I may give them a bell in the morning:

http://www.aquafax.co.uk/html/produc...n.asp?ID=17631

[Endeavour]

check the usa site out for the specs

http://www.uflexusa.com/start.html

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by Endeavour

check the usa site out for the specs

http://www.uflexusa.com/start.html

Cheers, I'm not sure if the steering kit on their website is the same as the one on the Aquafax site. I think I'll probably give Aquafax a call in the morning, with a view to driving to Hamble if I need to.

[codprawn]

Whatever you get make sure it's not too many turns lock to lock. I don't care about heavy steering - I DO care about having to turn the wheel 6 times to get anywhere. I am now looking at changing my hub unit for a better "geared" one.

[Downhilldai]

Agree with Codprawn here - low geared steering is a right pain on a RIB, where you have one hand on the throttle and one hand to steer and this won't give enough lock.
I expect the forklift boys will now start to advocate those clamp-on 'spinners' which you see on e-bay. Never tried one on a RIB, but I suppose they may work ok.

[Jimbo]

Cheers Cod and Dai, what I think I will do is buy a standard unit and pump for the now, and upgrade later if time and money allow.

Will probably also buy a spinny thing!

[Jimbo]

Just phoned Aquafax - very helpful people. The kit in question includes the following:

6m of hose: http://www.aquafax.co.uk/html/produc...s.asp?ID=14720
1x Side Mount Cylinder: http://www.aquafax.co.uk/html/produc...s.asp?ID=17379
1x 20cc Helm Unit: http://www.aquafax.co.uk/html/produc...s.asp?ID=17380
2 litres of Hydraulic Steering

All sounds good, and it's a good price - I do also have enough room for a side mount cylinder so that's ok. Question from learned people - presumeably I would also need a tie bar?

[Ribald]

I had a spinner for a short while on my Ribcraft 4.8 and found it to be a right pain - kept getting caught on the lifejacket.

Had the Baystar system on the 5.85 - seemed like a good system.

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by Ribald

I had a spinner for a short while on my Ribcraft 4.8 and found it to be a right pain - kept getting caught on the lifejacket.

Mmm, worth considering. At least I can take it off if it all goes pete tong!

Originally Posted by Ribald

Had the Baystar system on the 5.85 - seemed like a good system.

Yes, it looks good, but $$