Hydraulic Steering

Andy · 31 January 2003, 12:20

My new boat has hydraulic steering, which is new to me. Hence I need info from the gang!

- What sort of thing goes wrong with it while at sea?
- Are these problems fixable at see and how?
- What tools / spares etc are required to get the steering going again?
- What regular maintanence is required to prevent failure?

I know all this for a cable system and its helped me over the years keep out of trouble and get out of trouble.

All info will be most appriciated.

Thanks in advance

Andy · 31 January 2003, 12:38

sorry about my crap spelling and typing ... english is not my best skill

dgpw · 31 January 2003, 16:20

Hi I hate driving boats with no steering. Had an interesting course once where the cable broke on one of the boats. Made a great advanced exercise getting them to work out ways to come along side! Hydraulic steering is loads better and far more reliable. To be honest I have never had any problems with it and don't carry any spares. Does anyone. (don't fancy trying to put hydraulic fluid in at sea. Is this even possible.

mike · 31 January 2003, 16:45

I also have hydrolic steering and asked the same question at the time the boat was fitted out, no one I spoke to had had any problems but they generally did advise getting the best you could afford and also to ensure it was up to the horse power of the unit it will be steering (weight is an issue) . I'm most fitters will put the right system in but it may be worth cheking'

Once the system was set up it has been reliable the only minor incident was a very minor leak from one side of the rail at the back (in fron of the motor) which meant that a tiny top up needed to be put in. This was done by taking the nut off on top of the steering unit and using a specially shaped bottle to top it up just like you do with a car!

I'm sure you will enjoy it .!!

Pete7 · 02 February 2003, 21:42

We carry some spare fluid on Old Spice just in case but otherwise never had a problem in 7 years with Hydraulics. Biggest headache is bleeding the system the first time as the stuff goes everywhere, oh yes and working out which hose goes on which side. Yep got it wrong and ended up with the engine turning the opposite way. Did notice that a drop of fuild will leak out in hot weather as the metal steering wheel pump warms up and the fluid expands and blows out, but its so minor a tea spoon full would top up the system at the end of the season. The girls like it too as its easy to steer a rib with Hydrualic steering and there is no feed back with you have a single engine.