I'm considering purchasing an early 90's Cafe Racer, it has hp500's for power with bravos but NO hydraulic steering, owner claims it tops out around 70. How will this affect the handling at different speeds? Obviously from maintenance standpoint its good to not have to worry about. At what point will hydraulic steering become a must and how much should I budget for it?

Thanks,

Michael

I would add it. These big heavy boats are hard on gimbles anyway & it will help. Especially if you use it in rough water. I will never be without it again

How much $ ?

I couldn't imagine a Cafe without hyd. steering. It's a heavy boat, and in anything above a calm sea, you need the extra support. Hyd. steering eliminates a lot of the drive play (and steering wheel play) associated with stock bravos. I wouldn't want a boat without it anymore, since having it.

when you get behind the helm

I have a Bullet and retofitted ful hydraulic steering to it You can easily do it yourself to save money.

Just grab one of you drives and try and shake it all the play you will feel is due to worn components. Much of this wear issue goes away with the hydraulics. Most wear is do to the fact the standard merc steering arrangement put all the force through the short steering link and pivot pin. This wears the gimbal ring due to the fact the aluminum get beat out and the clamp bolts can not tighten down enough to make up the play in the clamp.

The full hydraulic system will eliminate any play you have in your steering and also help eliminate premature gimbal wear due to the fact the pivot pin is now just a pivot pin and not a part of the steering system. Do a search on steering for the different manufacturers. We had a couple guys on the board design as system and it was the one I used (Excess marine). I am not sure who is marketing it for them but its a great and reasonably priced system.

if you have any install question drop me a line.

Klaw

Our very own Allan4..aka "Allan the putz" sells XS systems...E-mail him

ok, but ballpark figure, how much $?

If you're on a budget and can do your own wrenching, see this post for full hydraulic.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...d.php?t=119296
If not, you're at about 2X his cost for add-on, and 3X for full hydraulic.
Gary

Allan4 "the putz" has the cheapest by far and the quality is up there with the best. I got a center mount dual ram (for twins) complete last year for about $3800 if my memory serves me correctly. I did get a slightly better deal since a friend and I ordered two sets for our identical boats

I'd ballpark 4500-5000.