Hydraulic steering
 

I am tired of my stock cable steering. I really want to go full hydraulic, but I don't want to cut the dash up to fit the hydraulic helm. I am thinking about getting the half hydraulic 2 ram system from Imco. I know that it isn't as good as the full system, but it has to be better than what I have now. Any one have any likes or dislikes with this system?

check to see where your play is coming from. i was considering a partial hydraulic add on. after checking it out i see i have ALOT of slack coming from the teleflex steering box under the dash with no apparent way of adjusting the slack out off it!!

Rob

I replaced the stock Morse cable steering in my cat with full hydraulic. The existing center hole was actually larger than the new one and all I had to do was drill 4 new 3/8" holes. That's it.

I added Imco system last year and it worked good, got rid of a bunch of slack. Wish I went to the full system, but it was a $$$ thing, you can always add it later. The system went on relitively easy and it looks good. Some of the hardware has alittle rust on it, I'm not sure if thats normal or not, but I've got bigger fish to fry right now. Good luck

Thanks for the input. I am not too concerned with the hole size for the helm, I am more concerned about the access for attaching the hydraulic lines to the helm. I have a '99 259 Convincor, there is no access to the helm from under the gauges. You have to get in there from a little fuse access hole they provide you from inside the cabin. I don't think that is enough room to work. It is hard enough to do any wiring through that hole, let alone hydraulic lines.

The hydraulic lines are AN. They go together very easily. Almost impossible to cross thread. The hardest part was trying to hold the helm up while tightening the bolts. With two people it would be no problem.

I have the add on Marine Machine system on my Pantera. It took a while to get used to around the docks, but now that I'm used to it, I really like it. It is pretty much impossible to turn it fast, at idle, while in gear. Now that I have gotten used to it, it is no problem. Just move to neutral so it can pump enough fluid, turn the wheel, and it turns pretty easily, then back into gear. Also, the steering radius is much smaller so you have to plan ahead. The drive will only turn 4-4 1/2 inches in either direction when turning.

Griff;

Is the loss of turning radius a problem for all the add on systems or is it only with Marine Machines? I am thinking of the Imco system.

Cord;

I am not only concerned about the hydraulic "an " lines, but also with the getting the helm unit in through the small access hole.

Turning radius will depend on the length of the rams. Longer rams will allow your drive to swing through a wider arc. If you have a very narrow boat or if you have twins you may be limited in the length you can fit. My Latham (single ram system) ram has a 10"stroke. Many others are only 8". Wing plates will reduce the turning radius too. Just some factors to be aware of.

I think the loss of turning radius is inherent to all hydraulic systems. The hydraulics are generally 8-10 inches. That means with drive perfectly straight, they are half way out on each side and will only travel another 4-5 inches when you turn. One of the rams will go in 4-5" when you turn and the other extends 4-5"
Really though, its not a problem when you get used to it. My boat is 30' with the swim deck and the distance between Piers at my marina is less than 35' and except for the first time I had to dock it(with a 20mph wind to fight also) I have not had any problems.

:D You may want to check your current mounting bolt patter. I changed my '93 Formula to full hydraulics, & used the original bolt holes......just had to "shave" a little (less than 1/16") out of the large hole. It fit like a dream. :cool:

Thanks for the information.

I added an Imco single ram add on system and have been very happy with it so far.
I keep hearing about hard steering problems at idle and I guess I don't have it. The wheel turns just as easy as it did when it was stock.

Chuck,
I'm glad to hear you say that, cause that's what is going on my boat, and IMCO add on. Thanks for the vote of confidence.

checkmate454mag, try the Tie in Hyd. system like Spaky. I put a WPM on last winter and it is great. Griff must have the dual cylinders. A buddy of mine has 2 and his steering is hard at idle. I just bought the single and it steers ok.
The radius on mine is still good. I think because on the WPM system you can mount it on the top or bottom of the wing plate and if you mount it to the top you are raising the mount on the transom. On my boat the transom slopes back as you go up, so you get further away from the outdrive and get a better angle for more leverage and effectively move the drive further. I'm not sure how the marine machine and IMCO are, but I think the IMCO works good for boats that don't have the room to mount out far from the gimbal. I needed 19 inch from the side of the gimbal.

I think you will be happy with any of the Hyd. units. I know I am happy with mine.

Yes, I do have a dual ram system.

Checkmate454mag,
I have heard too many people going with the add on system only to wish they had gone with the full system. Call the factory and ask what is involved. They helped my with some changes I did to my 251. They are an excellent company. The helm on my lathum is not that big. You could possibly install the hoses on the system and then pass it through the inspection hole.

Dan

checkmate454mag
You might want to do a search in the General Discussion forum on hydraulic steering. There was a thread on putting together a full hydraulic system for under $500. The helm units used in boats are the same as used in farm combines, tractors, etc. Helm to steering wheel shafts are available in varying lengths for farm equipment, up to 30". You may be able to mount the helm unit farther forward of your current dash space makin the plumbing easier.
Gary

I just had a dual ram assist installed on my 2000 convincor259. Used imco with 8 inch rams. research the mounting locations for which ever brand you decide to use. You may have a mounting issue because of the dual ram tabs that checkmate uses. And yes it hard to turn at idle.

Happy with my dual Imco Add-on
 

I've got the dual Imco system on my Daytona- aside form the slower steering at idle it's perfect.

The cause is lack of flow from the pump at idle speed- we run similar systems in competitive Jeeps rockcrawling and the go-fast desert racers use them. The pump can be "worked" a little but the real answer is to upgrade to a pump used for factory hydroboost brake systems in vans and trucks. I intend to do this in a few years when the motor is out but not until then as it's only an occasional nuisance.

This is why the single ram guys don't notice anything- there is adequate flow to feed one ram. Leave the tractor parts on the farm- they wont have the corrosion protection or multiple o-rings the better cylinders have to keep the water out etc. The cylinders are also more crude in assy and tolerances - do you really want John Deere green hanging off your transom?:rolleyes:

i've used them all...well the major players anyway...i'm the most pleased with the MM stuff! i have yet to drive a rig with ITS yet....

$232.00.....that's what I paid for my Charlynn helm unit from a hydraulics parts house. Of course, it was not CALLED a Charlyn helm unit either, but it was on the box! I guess Eaton owns Charlynn????? It worked great though!!

Cattitude
I was just refering to the helm unit. I noticed some marine sites advertise hydraulic helms by their original company name (ie. Charlyn). It's the same unit used in combines. The tractor oufits also sell longer steering stalks that might be usefull for checkmate454mag's application.
As for rams, I prefer Hynautic. But now that you mention it, a BIG YELLOW Caterpiller ram or maybe a BIG GREEN John Deere ram might look good. You just have to remember to remove the bucket, blade, or scoop before you bolt it to the back of the boat.
Gary

Gary- sorry for the confusion! I dunno- a five tooth bucket would hook up pretty well, be great for emergency stopping anyway:D