RonS

I switched my boat over from the merc system to full hydraulic.

I tried the add on system but still had slop, which was probably coming from the rotary helm unit. After a while they just plain wear out and need to be replaced. At that point you are better off just going full hydraulic. Its a pretty simple install. The worst part is hanging over the motor and getting the old merc stuff off.

The one add on system that I have ever seen work as well as full hydraulic was on Active Thunder Todds boat BESTREVENGE. It was an add on system but the helm was a dual rack setup similar to what they use in high perf bassboats. I could not tell the difference when I drove his as compared to a full hydraulic system. So if for some reason you cannot go full hydraulic this may be an alternative.

Scott

It did not always have 7" of play it started at 3" and would get worse. I did replace the Helm once and adjusted the cable many times. It would just keep going back out after a while. I actually measured it because I was working with the factory on this and they were sending me parts at no charge trying to resolve it.

Scott

The dual rack system sounds interesting but I have to wonder what the cost difference would be from just adding the Hydraulics?

Cmoney

Scott, with 7 inches of play the stock system would have been safer. Hopefully for my sake you had a unique situation. My engines are out now, but the money tree doesn't have any leaves on it, so I am going to have to find out how the cable assist system works.

Scott

"the money tree doesn't have any leaves on it"


I hate it when that happens!

fastlane40

Just finished reading this thread and couldn't help wondering what Ken Warby used on his world record boat,cable assist or full hydraulic.So i checked.Looks like cable no assist.

Scarab3DMC

I added a "add on " last year... made a huge differance...but theres still cable slop... adding hydraulic helm.. this year....

Mike Paula

On my boat when i got it, it had 0 cable slop but my tiller arm was in bad shape there was 2” of movement there do to lack of maintenance from the last owner. I new this going into the deal and factored it into the final price. I was going to have it removed and replaced but after talking to a few steering companies I went the add on route. My OE was a Saginaw system and the tiller is still hooked up. It is a little hard at Idle but my wife has no problem with it. I have not modified the valve yet, that is the next step to see how it works. So far I am 100% satisfied with it.

waterbum

I have the old cable over hydraulic system on a 10 Meter Fountain. What parts would I need to convert to full hydraulic? And what parts can I keep? Top speed is around 85 and it feels a little loose at times.

Thanks,
Doug

East Coast B

Cmoney, what cable assist setup are you going with? I'm planning on ripping out the dash steering rotary setup this winter and have been looking at options. Would love full hydraulic, but just don't have the cash for it....