Hydraulic Steering

[longjohn]

Just wondering if its worth converting to hydraulic. While my steering isn't particularly heavy it does suffer from what I assume is torque steer. I have to keep a tight grip of the steering at all times - this can be pretty tiring on a long run as I found recently on my trip to Alderney.

If I let go for a second at more or less any speed, the wheel spins to full lock, which at speed would induce a pretty violent (maybe unstabilizing) turn.
I'm assuming converting to hydraulic would cure this or is there some other way of lessening the torque steer effect? 70hp engine on a 4.7m boat

was thinking of this kit - seems a very good price...and I'm guessing a fairly simple conversion....
Teleflex Baystar hydraulic Steering - Teleflex Baystar hydraulic Steering - Discount Marine Chandlery and Sailing Equipment. Bargain Boat Spares and Clothing

[hadd]

Hi John , I put baystar steering on my rib this yr & it's well worth it very easy to steer now also very easy to fit as well I bought my steering off eBay brand-new £475 that was the cheapest I could find it only took a day to fit as well that's a good price as well

[PeterM]

You have got the trim tab ( anode) set up to the correct side already ?

It needs to be off to the side that the boat wants to turn to ( usually a right turn - so tab off to the right..)

[longjohn]

Originally Posted by PeterM

You have got the trim tab ( anode) set up to the correct side already ?

It needs to be off to the side that the boat wants to turn to ( usually a right turn - so tab off to the right..)

yes wants to turn right - Pics of the trim tab is that pointing the right way? I know a bit difficult to make out ..maybe looks like it is wrong as its pointing left???

PS hydrofoil makes no difference was same before and after as far as the torque steer is concerned

[Channel Ribs]

Looks right to me.

[Erin]

Yep, looks like the trim tab is pointing the wrong way. I'd have a play with that first. Whilst hydraulic steering is good, you shouldn't need it to counteract such a violent response. Properly set up mechanical steering should be fine and you should be able to let go without it veering off.

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by Erin

Yep, looks like the trim tab is pointing the wrong way. I'd have a play with that first. Whilst hydraulic steering is good, you shouldn't need it to counteract such a violent response. Properly set up mechanical steering should be fine and you should be able to let go without it veering off.

Looks like its OK (hard to see as its pretty dark in the pic)...might be worth a tweak to make sure its fully off to the right.

Other than that you are into understanding why a prop has sideways twist/effect to see if there is something else going on ....

I had the same handling until I bothered to look at my tab which was set directly straight - 20 sec later after an adjust and it runs nice and straight hands off . There will never be a perfect setting as the need for the 'correction' will change with engine trim/ angle of approach to the oncoming water and speed etc ...but only slightly if its set up mostly right.

[jyasaki]

There are also no feedback helms for cable steering. No idea how "no feedback" they are, though.

jky

[longjohn]

Thanks for the replies - I'll have a fiddle with the trim tab and see what effect it has

[Hightower]

Playing with the trim of the engine at any given cruising speed can also reap rewards in lessening the torque steer force.

[longjohn]

Had fiddle with my trim tab today! Contrary to what I had previously thought my tab was actually pointing straight ahead (first position out of four selection holes). I therefore moved it to the third selection hole (see pics) and went for a test spin - what an improvement! I can now let go the steering wheel and the boat tracks dead ahead when on the plane. When not on the plane with the engine trimmed in, it still pulls to starboard but not as badly as before.

Interestingly - I looked round the yard at all the other outboards - most were positioned dead ahead and some outboards had no tab.

Thanks everyone for your help and input.

[jyasaki]

Not surprising.

I spent considerable time adjusting mine (not a big deal as the boat handles well no matter how it's positioned); when I had my engine serviced, it came back with the anode replaced and installed straight again. Oh, well...

jky