I'm thinking of adding a single-ram tie-in system to my boat. I don't need more than that as my boat barely reaches 70mph. I would like everyone's opinion in ranking the following systems starting with the best:

Latham (Price ??- Teague is closed today)
Marine Machine ($1399.99 @ CP + Brazil valve adapter)
IMCO ($1350.00 @ CP + Brazil)
WPM ($1299.99 @CP - includes everything)

The order I've shown above is my rather uninformed impression of their rank. But I've heard that they are ALL top quality systems.

I've used WPM for 12 years with not one ,even one failure
its easy to install and works good ,be sure to fax them the order to be sure to get it straight and they will help you alot
I think WPM makes the cyl. for Imco

I just added Imcos' full hydraulic dual piston system. It is overkill for me, but I figured I would be covered for future upgrades of power. The system was easy to install. Works real well also.

Latham's list plice for add-on system is $1857.68

I just bought the Imco add on single system straigt from Imco. It was $1235 plus $145 for the kit for inside the transom, (Brazil valve and hook ups). I bought the Imco because I was told you could add a hydraulic helm or another cylinder later. Imco told me I would get the most benefit from adding the hydraulic helm later.

I have a WPM dual ram on my Fountain and it is top quality hardware, three years old and still looks brand new!

At seventy mph, they are all going to do the job well, but when it comes down to drive attachment, the Marine Machine is going to be the strongest. Any hydrodynamic side loading on that cylinder transmitted to an end cap on a drive is going to be a lot weaker than transmitting it to the drive mount itself.
And I agree, the Marine Machine is like jewelry for your boat.

It looks to me like the WPM attachment is similar to the Marine Machine attachment.

I have run the WPM for a number of years on two boats. Top quality stuff and it works well. I do have higher steering effort on my unit, I believe due to the Helm capacity.
I would talk to Maxx and Alfster on the board. They are making a high quaility steering setup for a reasonable price!! Good luck in your search.

Dick

Another manufacturer that you may want to consider is World Class Marine out of Sandusky, OH. They have an end cap design, similar to a Latham or Imco. But, their design keeps the tie bar on the centerline of the drive for better geometry. If $'s are no object, I would buy the Marine Machine system. But, any of the manufacturers listed should easily work fine for your application.