Hydraulic steering, is it worth it?
 

Would it be worth putting hydraulic steering or at least a add on onto a 25 ol that I plan on leaving stock? I like the feel of Hyd steering but don't know if I should spend the money to do so since I don't plan on upgrading power or even keeping the boat but for 3-5 more years. Thoughts.

Well...its nice to have and you get alot more control and a safety net. Maybe just a single ram set up

What power is in it and what is the top end?

I have a 2002 25 Baja Outlaw which I purchased brand new at that time. I have the stock 496mag ho. I had a problem and had to replace the tiller pin so rather than going the cheap route, I pulled the hatch, back seat, outdrive, transome assembly, engine, yada yada and installed a brand new tiller pin (I could move my drive left and right and inch before that and it was real loose feeling). I have since added the cable assist external steering system by IMCO and LOVE IT!!!!! Drive is solid now, no movement at all! I figured with stock power, why go full hydraulic at max 65mph? Now, should I go bigger power, I will just call IMCO and add that to what I have. Also removed my quick and quiet and that goofy air pump drain system-straight tail pipes to the transom-sounds sweeeet! Hope that helps.

I put one on my 252 about 5 months before i sold it. It had developed some play in the steering and with the whipple i was at 70. It did make a noticable difference and gave me some peace of mind when running WOT.

Stock 502mpi, 63-65mph. Is the steering asset system what they call the ad on? I'm not a speed demon and don't really plan on being one.

I like the feel of it, and it is safer as others pointed out. You might not get your money back when selling the boat, but it will make it more appealing to a new buyer. There is the choice of doing hydraulic assist instead of full hyd. but I don't know much about that. Maybe someone else do?

As I said, did mine (cable assist/hydraulic assist)-just not the full system. THe one problem I did have or continue to have is that at slow speed pulling into a slip or dock that the amount of fluid is insufficient to steer properly. The guy at IMCO said something about drilling out the power steering pump hole somewhere to allow more fluid to go through? Have not done that but going to do so. (maybe there is just another pump aftermarket that would make it work well?). I still love it, drive is solid!!

Anyone know how the add on works vs the full system?

I believe the add on still uses the cable to command the ram to move where as the full system has the hydraulic lines running to the helm.

I can not believe that Mercruiser still can not address this tiller arm and pin situation.

I had a serious accident 30 years ago with a stock small block 19 footer at 60 mph on a small flat lake because of the tiller arm splines stripping off.

After researching the new design and change of the design from a spline to a square I realized it was a design flaw and had Mercury cover all my repair and injury expenses.

Anyways the fact these are still getting dangerously washed out at 300 hours is unacceptable from my point of view.

Drilling the fitting on the pump from a 496 is easy. I think the drill bit is 11/64. Remove the high pressure line from the pump and then remove the fitting from the bottom of the pump. Drill the fitting out and reinstall. I can post a pic of the line and fitting if you like.

If your keeping your boat stock, why waste the money? I added the full Imco dual ram set up on my baja only as a necessity, at 80 mph the drive started to dance around, The imco set up created a very stable ride at high speeds, But again your safe under 70.

Why would you be safe under 70. If your steering phucks up @ 65 you're screwed. Good handling is is also important at 65-70. It just makes the boat ride better and safer in all conditions. Each to their own I guess.

65 MPH was the breaking point at Baja Marine, and 70 MPH is the Mercury number.

XT

Might as well put air bags in it as well .....better safe than sorry!

Right.

:Whatever: