IMCO or Latham steering?
 

I would appreciate experienced comments. I have a 2008 Baja 26 OL with the Bravo 1X drive (1.65) and am making power upgrades to the 496 HO. My plan is go with the dual ram steering for safety and to keep the outdrive as stabile as possible. Also, I would like to know that if I end up with the XR drive later that it would work with it as well. Thanks!

Yup!

I recommend Imco steering and it will fit on the next Bravo drive.

If you need pricing on IMCO or Latham, PM or email me.

Thanks guys!

I am not sure you need to spend the cash on the steering system unless you are talking stupid power but just my .02

Hydraulic steering is recommended for anyboat that runs 65+, especially a single. Keeps everything tracking great, good piece of mind and safe

Well maybe, but who recommends it? I know the steering company do, because they want to sell steering kits. Maybe it’s me, but I have never seen a steering cable break and there are a lot of boats out there running with cable driven steering. Like I said unless you are going nuts on power and in the 80+ mph range it is a little over kill. I am not saying don’t do it, I am just pointing out that the 4k for the kit might be applied other places. Again just my .02

Both are good points IMO. In this case I think the money will be well spent for two reasons. First the steering seems to have a small amount of play in it. I am not sure if that translates to the drive under power or not, but the peace of mind will be worth it to me. Second I plan on keeping this boat for a while (has 20 hours on it now) so over the long term the money will not be as big of a deal. I plan to keep the power to around 600 hp for now and see how the outdrive does. I expect the boat to be around the 70 mark...may have to blueprint the hull and work with x deminsion, but one way or another its going to get there. lol There is always the option for more power, but right now I am mostly concerned with the outdrive. Thank you for your input.

I do and I don't sell them. So do most that have purchased them. I have dozens of friends that have made the transition in a single and they never look back.

I have owned a number of single engine boats from 55 mph all the way to 103 mph. I have owned that 58 mph 28' boat that was still stable at 70 after more power. I still say it is a nice improvement to add steering.

You don't need a $4k system on a 70mph Baja. A single ram add on will work fine. Around $1,400 from Hardin. That is what I use on my Donzi X-18 that runs 72 mph. And yes, it makes a HUGE difference in the way the boat handles. No, I would not worry much on a 65 mph boat.

I run IMCO full hydraulic twin ram on my 26ZX and it will break 100. I recommend twin ram on anything 80 and up.

Do cables break? Not often but they do. I have hit the water at 60+. It sucked but I lived. I would not want to do it at 80 though.

Yes, I know of single engine boats that have run 130 with a single ram and I am sure it is fine. When you spend that kind of money there is no reason to skimp on that extra grand.

IMCO vs Latham? They both make great products. That is only a matter of personal preference.

Cable steering always has slop and play in it. Safety issues aside, if you want to run faster on any given HP you need to remove that slop and play. Once you have hydraulic steering in a boat, you will likely NEVER want anything less.

Hey thanks for the info ZXXX Donzi. So twin ram would be overkill for a max 75 mph boat? I guess my inexperienced thinking is that two will keep the outdrive planted more securely than one. I have had boats all my life, but never one faster than 54 mph so this is new territory for me.

Yes, that will be fine. It all depends on where you want to end up.

The good thing about the Hardin / Mayfair system is that you can do it in stages. You can do the add on and then change it to full later. I happened to have one laying around from a prior later. I fully planned to do that with my X-18 but have not yet seen the need go with a hydraulic helm and that is coming from a guy with a full system on my other boat.

Now be careful if you are a type that may end up with a 85 mph boat one day. You will want a twin ram full system for that and it is more costly to go from a single ram assist to a twin ram full system.

Good luck and enjoy that boat.

Good point. There is no telling where this will end up. :)

I agree that a single will be fine for your application, I thought you were just set on getting dual ram. I thought maybe you had an inside track or deal on it. Single is fine.

Like many have said, it is a great upgrade and once you have it, you will never go back. Sounds like you are putting together a nice project. Take some pictures of the install to help others!

Thanks everyone. I will install the single since the other can be added if needed. I will take plenty of pics and plan on some video as well. :)

Are you planning on full hyd. to the helm? I am also adding this this season but only due to the addition of an extension box. I chose IMCO.

For now I am thinking a partial system. Seems like a good way to start since the rest can be added later. I will be very interested in the results of your extension box.

My feelings also. I will start a thread with the before and after numbers in the Baja section when I have them.

Hydraulic steering in addition to the safety factor greatly increases the life of the gimble ring by stabilizing it, and helping to cushion it from the blow of the waves and re-entry.

If you have a hot single that runs 80+ I believe you will double the life of the gimble by adding hydraulic steering to it.

Not sure how much wear you have now?

Go grab the bottom of the skeg and lift up hard- measure the play and see.

Oh and Imco, or a Mercury ITS if you have extra money that needs a home. Nothing wrong with Latham, ive just gotten excellent service and value out of all my imco parts.


Uncle Dave

I added IMCO's full hydraulic to the helm on a 26 Checkmate and loved it. The boat would only do 70mph but the steering and HP tab upgrades improved the boats overall handling 10 fold. The handling upgrades were in addtition to an engine upgrade much like your project. Good luck and be safe!