External Steering........
 

Gonna put some external steering on the boat.....Is there really any difference between the name brands?? And whats a fair price???

Use Marine Machine. That's the good stuff.

I would use LATHAM i've never had any problems at all. I like the way it mounts to the drive. easy to install.

SF1,
Call John Cosker @ Marine Performance, (386)-760-6464 and he'll give you a good deal on Keith Eickert Steering, which they installed on my boat. The KE system is really well engineered and I have had NO problems with it at all :D
I had Marine Machine on my Eliminator and it is also very good as well as is Latham. WPM and IMCO make good systems too, from what I have heard, I have never used them though.
Check out the KE's wing plate design, some of the nicest machining/welding that I have ever seen!!!
MD

I have IMCO on mine and I am very happy with it. I have driven a couple of boats with Marine Machine and one with Latham. They all worked well. However, I liked the feel of the boats equipped with Marine Machine best and would probably get that on my next boat, though I think they are all good.

I have not tried WPM or Eickert.

I have Imco helm to stern. My only concern is that steering gets stiff at idle speed .

I recently installed Marine Machine. They perform really well and look great.

MARINE MACHINE!!

THERE SET UP WITH THE WING PLATES IS #1 FOR MY MONEY.

THE OTHERS ARE NOT BAD. JUST DIFFERENT.

RICH, E-MAIL ME YOU TEL#. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I DID WITH IT.

Just to confuse you , I have WPM's full system. Massive wing plate They were very nice to deal with and I don't have any hard steering around the docks.

My opinion and experience.

[ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: Vonbongo ]

Have Latham on my Donzi. It works great at all engine speeds. Never tight. Little noisey when you take it to the stops at the helm during Docking. Probably a function of hydraulic system resonance. It is really stable.

Thanx for all the feedback....I think I am going to go with the Mayfair system.....I got the best price from them, I like Marine Machine also.....but it is pretty pricey.... :cool:

SP1,
Did you call John? My wife said you sent an e-mail to the house, I haven't had a chance to read it, I will read it tonight when I get home.
MD

I have the WPM add-on system. Easy to install and works great. WPM is very helpful and willing to work with you.

Check out Worldclassmarine.com

I boght a full hydaulic system this past summer from them. They are not weel known yet...but have signed several oem deals with manuafactures.

Very nice system...all stainless steel..cylinders have 1 inch rods,,all clevis joints no ball joints and best of all the full system cost me mid $4,000 vs $5,500 to $6,000 for latham pf marine machine.

It's worth the phone call.

We deal with all of the above manufactures, and they are all good, and all a bit different. Price seems to be the determining factor most of the time when my customers are shopping steering.
I have dealt with World Class Marine, Paul Everett for many years. This is a high quality product, and he is great to deal with. He also has a patent on his new tie bar.
When shopping look for the product with highest grade of stainless you can afford, and all SS, no aluminum componants. A "Wing plate" system is prefered over a "sterndrive bracket" style system.

I put a full IMCO system on my Top Gun and it is awesome. It's like power steering on a car but firm when you need it. Additionally, I mounted the rams between the drives and it looks sweet. Going on 2 years not a pit in the finish or a problem with it's performance.