Hydraulic steering-views please

[Machhojome]

Hi all, I have just bought a 5.8mtr ribquest (yes I read the differences of opinion in this forum before I bought) delighted with it so far. Anyhows I am speccing it up and wondered what views are on installing hydraulic steering ?. I'm told it's circa a grand and wondered whether I'd get pay back in terms of performance (light to medium sea cruising only) and re sale. Any experience, views, recomended systems, ones for sale etc etc appreciated.
Great active and useful forum by the way.

[Razorbill RIBs]

Originally Posted by Machhojome

Hi all, I have just bought a 5.8mtr ribquest (yes I read the differences of opinion in this forum before I bought) delighted with it so far. Anyhows I am speccing it up and wondered what views are on installing hydraulic steering ?. I'm told it's circa a grand and wondered whether I'd get pay back in terms of performance (light to medium sea cruising only) and re sale. Any experience, views, recomended systems, ones for sale etc etc appreciated.
Great active and useful forum by the way.

The Baystar haydraulic kit (rated to 150 HP) is a lot less than that...less than half the price.

Think I remember John Price at Quinquari having a deal on them at £370....his website is www.ribstuff.com

IMO is def worth having it..........

Dan

Edit: depends on what size OB your going for obviously....

[Machhojome]

Thank you I will check this out.

[Erin]

I went for a Hydrive unit from Southern Cross Marine. About £600 all in and a fairly straightforward DIY installation. Well worth having. Lighter operation and smoother than cable. I upgraded my old 5.8m boat with a 90Hp to hydraulic and would never look back now.

[jyasaki]

Hydraulic steering is generally lighter than cable, but that is partially due to most recreational units being a greater number of turns lock to lock.

In my opinion, the lesser amount of maintenance, and the ease of recovering from a lack of maintenance makes hydraulic a pretty solid choice, if the initial expense doesn't rule it out.

Cables need to be lubed up every so often, and seem to have a tendency to either completely jam up or break just before a big well-planned trip.

Hydraulics will go through seals every now and then, but in most cases, they're neither too expensive nor difficult to replace. Just keep an eye on fluid level every so often, and the helm will tell you when things need attention.

That said, hydraulic is usually quite a bit more of a wallet hit than cable; price out the two and see what fits your situation. For me, unless I absolutely couldn't afford it, it's hydraulic.

jky

[Machhojome]

Thanks again all. I think at around 500 it's worth a punt. However all my cables are through the deck and I'm not sure how they would get round that on install. I will take it into the shop to get their views. I'll also source directly my own unit probably cheapest way. Thanks again

[Cookee]

Hypro Marine are very good - 01590681445

[martini]

Originally Posted by Cookee

Hypro Marine are very good - 01590681445

Steve's a nice guy and knows his stuff too

[Hightower]

Baystar for me too. I reckon all fitted for about £500 or DIY for less than £400.

It's dead easy to fit yourself if you have a practical natureand can read instructions. One tip! Don't be tempted to use PTFE tape on the connectors it could contaminate the hydraulics. Use a liquid hydraulic sealer instead

Good luck.

[Hightower]

£380 from these boys too.

http://marinestore.co.uk/MD470115.html