Hydraulic Steering

[whizzpopper]

Dear all,

I am considering fitting hydraulic steering to my Humber 5.5m/Mariner 75 setup.

Any advice gratefully recieved; what make and where to buy? Is it worth doing and is it easy to fit?

Thanks in advance

Rodger

[J C Hughes]

Hydraulic steering so smoothhh
There are two types that i have used, 1 type the ram moves and the other type the ram is fixed to the engine, I prefer the fixed ram much neater job

[Cookee]

We use Seastar in the race boat - they do a lower power version called Baystar - it's all easy to fit, just need to read the instructions for bleeding it properly because it only works if you do it as per the book!

[Jono Garton]

Hi

Hyd' Steering is good, but i wouldn't go to the expense on a 75hp.

Why not use no feedback return?

[Manos]

Agree with JAHNO no need for hydraulics on a 75 engine. May be you can also consider using heavy duty steering set up??

[Dirk Diggler]

As Cookee says, the Baystar system is excellent, but it retails for £400 + vat. Vetus do a nice system rated to 150hp, retails for a little less and can be ordered from your local chandlery.

If price is an issue, then the cheapest I know of is a system known as L & S ( something & Schmitt I believe) I can't remember who is currently suppling it, but it's a budget priced system that's excellent value for money. Might be worth giving Lee at Fairweather Marine a call, I'm sure I've seen it on a couple of his motors!

[jwalker]

Originally posted by Manos
Agree with JAHNO no need for hydraulics on a 75 engine. May be you can also consider using heavy duty steering set up??

I don't agree. Hydraulic steering will take the play out of the system and this will improve the handling markedly. However, look out for the number of turns lock to lock or you could be very busy during your trips.

[chrisallse]

I have seastar on my boat and its very good

[Dirk Diggler]

We got there in the end!!

Found the company that distributes L & S steering. http://www.europeanmarine.co.uk/page27.htm

[Jonny Fuller]

sort your link out diggers

< It's OK, I've tidied his mess up for him! JK >

[chrisallse]

Sea Star

[Dirk Diggler]

Sorry about that, what with 20 hour days and cheap Aussie red, what do you expect!!!

Any way, back to the plot. This is not bad steering and "cheap as chips"



Oh, and if your still there, "Hi Charles, hows it going me old mate, still luv yer. XXXXX"

[Alex Brown]

Just looking at that pic from chrisallse, I see the hydraulic pipes are quite loose looking.
Not having a seastar system, I don't know, but how does that work? - does the cylinder attach to the engine, and the ram stay fixed?..... I have seen something like this on another local rib, and they kept having to replace the hydraulic pipes due to constant bending and unbending / general wear etc... usually ending up with fluid over the deck of the boat near the transom.....

Looking through my manual, I have an Ultraflex 'Drake'(?) front mount hydarulic outboard cylinder - http://www.ultraflexgroup.it/ut/hydrafl/hydrafl.html

Maybe a bit overkill for a 75hp engine, but it's a tidy system that doesn't have too many turns from lock to lock and is very easy to handle on higher power turns in both dirs.

-Alex

[Rogue Wave]

Dirk,

I have a med style rib and the surface tenion of the water broke the old steering ( sod all to do with driving style, honest) and it has a Yam 70 on it. I was thinking of replacing with a cheap Hydraulic and the L & S looks good to me

Any idea how much approx

[Cookee]

Hypro marine do the Seastar / Baystar stuff - Hypro Marine

[Dirk Diggler]

Originally posted by Rogue Wave
[B
the L & S looks good to me

Any idea how much approx [/B]

Not sure, but I think it's a couple of hundred beer tokens, I might be collecting a system next week for a customer so I'll let you know.

You could give Lee a call, but I give better discounts!

[Dirk Diggler]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Cookee
[B]Hypro marine do the Seastar / Baystar stuff - QUOTE]

So does Aquamarine.

www.aqua-marine.co.uk

An Aussie company, Hydrive do some rather nice stuff, similar to Seastar but better prices, they also do full external as in Mayfair, Latham etc.

Nice bit of kit and there's a distributor in Hants.

http://www.hydrive.com.au/outboards_and_sterndrives.htm

[Jonny Fuller]

Well Dirk, I must say you're being extemely helpfull and friendly these days! have you turned over a new leaf? I may have to ban you from boatmad if you carry on like this!

[chrisallse]

Alex Brown

The Cylinder is fixed and the Rams Move so the pipes dont flex.

[whizzpopper]

Thanks to all for the advice.

Rodger