Hydraulic Steering Kit
 

I have a 2013 Formula 292 Fastech. That said, What is everyone running for a Hydraulic Steering? I have been looking at the Mayfair Dual Bravo/Dual Ram Full Hydraulic Steering Kit. Is this a well made Kit? Are there better kits? Thank you....Dave

Latham, IMCO

Zeiger also.

I put the Mayfair on mine 2 years ago love it

Imco and the customer service is outstanding....

Has anyone install there own? The video looks straight forward. Definitely tight in the engine compartment on mine. I can't seem to price Latham's kit. Will look at Imco now.. Thanks for the response

I've had Mayfair on my sutphen since 2003,not 1 problem.Only othe system I would look at is the zeiger as Diamond said.

I installed my Imco on my 292 2004. The most difficult part of the entire setup was getting the old steering actuator out of the boat. That sucked because you have no room to get to the bolt to remove the assembly.

Measure ten times so you only drill once.

Routing the hoses was fairly easy because you have all the access open in the gunnels.

It is a night and day difference.

Also depending on the boat, the rams will be located on the outside or in between the drives, I prefer inside if you have the room, much cleaner look.

I used the one from CP performance, great setup, hoses are tricky, suggest having those made locally with ends pressed on. The dash unit can be a pain depending on space and it needs to be totally flat, slightest bind will make it steer weird to say the least

Did a full system on my last Convincor. Some used parts, some new. Was all Latham. Wasn't to bad to do.
The outside hoses I had made in braided stainless. Inside was reusable Aeroquip.
Going to do the new boat and thinking to go IMCO, but do like the Latham wingplate vs the rear cap.
WestCoastOffshore shows Latham on there website but no pricing. I do know list for a Latham 8" stroke ram is $1700 each.
Merc Bravo LWP Drive Photo by convincor Photobucket

IMCO all the way and use their triangular shaped transom bracket. It has the bosses for mounting the cylinders as well as the thru hulls for the hydraulic lines incorporated into one bracket. Totally eliminates the guess work of measuring. It's also very sanitary looking. I installed this on my 303 and couldn't be more pleased. The part number for the bracket is TB-??? with the ??? being the measurement of your drive centers. If your drives are 34.5" on center the part number will be TB-345. And as already mentioned IMCO customer service is top shelf. The guy who answers the phone is a hands on guy and knows his products.

COOPS, what ram location point did you buy? The 17-3/4 inch or the 9 inch? Inside or outside mounting?

You used your same pwr steering pump and added a Brazilian manifold to the ram, and removed the hardware after the ram? I'm not at my boat to look and have no instructions in front of me. Just getting a feel for the job.

I have a Mayfair system on my pantera.
Straight forward install, but I installed mine with no
engine in the boat. I wouldn't want to do it with the engine in the boat.

the only thing I don't like is the turning radius is wide as the drive doesn't turn as much as it would have with a cable system.

Convincor, Nice job.

Vintage chromoly, I talked with a rep at Hardin Marine who makes Mayfair. He said that the longer stroke rams do have a tighter turn radius, but most people wouldn't notice it. It all boils down to whether you have the room to fit it... I take you have the shorter stroke ram?

And once again I thank all that chined in....

[QUOTE=AmiableDave;4599398]COOPS, what ram location point did you buy? The 17-3/4 inch or the 9 inch? Inside or outside mounting?<br /><br />You used your same pwr steering pump and added a Brazilian manifold to the ram, and removed the hardware after the ram? I'm not at my boat to look and have no instructions in front of me. Just getting a feel for the job.<h1></h1>

You need to go full from the steering wheel to the drives. All the factory steering goes for the most part. You can adapt your tilt helm to the new hydraulic helm.

[QUOTE=COOPS;4599456]same power steering pump I just drilled out the valve in the pump as imco recommends. As stated the triangle bracket was worth every penny. It lessens the amount of holes you need to drill in the transom and looks a lot nicer.

Coops, thanks for the time and pic. Looks great. I guess they only sell there product themselves. I'll call them tomorrow for a price.

CP performance sells Imco. Just not everything is on the website.
http://www.cpperformance.com/c-868-imco-marine.aspx
as well as WestCoast
http://www.westcoastoffshore.ca/Powe...isted-C70.aspx

And if your going to pull the silent thunder box, lights are a great way to seal up the holes in the transom.

COOPS, where did you purchase your steering?

I bought it in pieces used. I would not do that again.

I would shop around or call imco directly. I needed to replace a ran on mine and he really worked with me when they didn't have to.

customer service is worth the extra few bucks.

And How on the Customer service.

The hoses are fairly easy to assemble after you have done a few but any local hydraulic shop can help if needed, or supply any additional hoses or fittings you need.

I just put the Mayfair full hyd to helm dual ram systemon my single eng fountain and it was pretty easy for the most part. I have my motor out right now so that made it a bit easier as well.
Mayfairs directions are really good and everything for the most part goes together just like they say. Only real issue I had was making the hoses. Definatley use lots of 90W gear lube to put fittigs together on the hose!!!

Still have to put motor back in and bleed system so will let you know how that goes once I get that far.

Thanks for your input debcod2

COOPS, did the directions tell you to drill out the pressure valve? What does that do for you?

Yeah. Its easy to remove the valve from the back of the pump after the hose off