When is external hydraulic steering needed?
 

At what point is it deemed necessary to have external hydraulic steering? Is there a rule of thumb that when exceeding a certain Horse Power limit, it should be installed. I've typically seen every 500 on up with external steering. Engines under this size, some do, some don't.

With twin 496 HO's on a 35' sport boat, would it be necessary?

i wouldn't worry about it unless you start chine walking at higher speeds. i've heard that you can take care of that situation better with the external setup... as well as the obvious control and durability:)

I would agree and that the need for extrenal steering starts at about 75-80 mph.

I think it a good idea on any sportboat it you can afford it. I think you are right on the edge of where you should have external steering. Once you have it you won't want a boat without it. If you put it on now you will be ready when you turn up the power on those 496's.:D


mike

I think its sometimes more of a money issue. Granted its nice to have at higher speeds but its also a nice safty factor even at slower speeds. On twins if the engine with the power steering pump dies you get a rapid turn from the opposing engine still running. And at running speed you can take your hands off the wheel and the boat will track straight! Try that with a regular power steering setup!!! If you can afford it and are planning on keeping the boat for a while i would do it! Just my .02

It's not even debatable! Get it! Go up to any big block powered boat without it and shake the gimble back and forth. Se how much play has developed in it from banging to and fro. It's safer, easier to operate (especially at high speeds) and doesn't pull like regular power steering. If you're looking for a speed or HP measurement, I would say anything over 60 MPH or 400 HP. My .02.

Truth is once you get it you will say "why the heXX didn't I get the full hyd. system long ago. Almost any boat WILL benefit from this. The external steering really becomes more of a benefit as the hours accumulate because it does not gain slack after hours of hard use. If you are trying to save a few bucks than the stock steering will be ok for about two years then upgrade to the full hyd system. On some hulls it actually will add some speed because the overall handling is better too. the IRONMAN

get it if you can, if you plain on getting that boat out of the water
hyd. steering is almost a must

I'd like to offer that it's not a question of the external steering per se, but where do you get the twin ram (for singles). My boats good to 74 and I have a single ram IMCO. Night and day different. Over 75 (and how much over 75) you might consider the full if money is a question. The boat is just more stable with the external rig.

I agree with 29Fever.

How much would you expect to pay for external steering for a single? I'm thinking about ProCharging my Baja Boss 252 (454 MAG MPI) and I hear a lot of people saying to go to external steering when doing this. The M1 SC at 5 lbs boost should bring me to 600HP. I'm just curious how much on averavge the external steering costs. Does this also mean you no longer need the standard power steering pump, or is the external in addition to the regular power steering?

Ted...

I bought a used sinlge unit from a guy here on the board. Check the classifieds. Mine is an IMCO, but Bruce at WPM has a good deal too. You can full hydraulic, but it's bucks. All you do is basically tap into the "slider" piston that moves the stock tiller via a manifold which connects to the Rams lines. It's still cable to the wheel. Thats the most economical and works pretty well at least for me. If you see +80 you really need dual ram and might consider the full setup. (IMHO)

BajaBoss,

If you go full hydraulic to the helm you still want you power steering pump. I had a full hydo-manual on my cat and it was just too damn hard to steer. I am replacing my manual helm with a power unit and adding a power steering pump to each engine.

Call Bruce at (314) 731-3795, he sells WPM steering, good stuff and Bruce will treat you right. You can go full Hydraulic to helm or just do an add on system.

The add system consists of the rams that you mount on your drives and you tap the exsisting steering valve for the hydraulic fluid. You would keep your existing steering wheel, cable, etc...

If you going with the full hydraulic you pull out the steering cable, steering wheel, and the steering ram mounted on the inside of the transom assembly. Then install the helm unit, it's heavy don't drop it on your head, fit the hoses, mount the rams and your about ready. It's not very hard to do. On the one's I have done the hardest part was getting the old steering cable out.

You can start with the add on system and upgrade at a later time. Also you can buy the Char-Lynn helm unit from Char-Lynn for about half of what the steering companies charge.


mike