I am not sure if what I am looking for even exists but I will try anyways. I have a 28' Century Ultra II w/ twin 454s and B1s. I cannot afford external hyd. steering right now and was wandering if there were any kind of external stabilizers or some sort of gas shocks to put on it. I thought my gimble rings were worn a few weeks ago and had horrible play in the steering(just bought the boat) and once torn apart I found out everything was fine but had loosened up a bit and once I put it back together it ran great. We just had a scare the first time out and had to throttle down quick at about 40-45mph and the boat took a hard right turn. I think if I had some kind of stabilizer back there if something ever were to happen it would help a little. I have 2 small kids, 4 and 7 yrs old and their safety comes first. I never run over 40-45mph with them in the boat but after that one time, I get worried. We had to have my sister inlaw watch the kids for a few minutes the other day so I could take Nina out on a quick run so she could see what it was like to run fast. Only did about 60 or so but the fastest she has been. I still had 1/4 throttle and about 3/4 trim left but we were almost on empty. If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Brandon

Drew Marine Sidewinders

http://www.drewmarine.com/products/s...idewinder.html

Thats exactly like what I was thinking, except the $800 price tag! Seems a little steep for what it is. Does anyone know the length of this while pressed all the way in and all the way out? And also how much pressure it is? I think I could make my own for alot less money and be just as good. Thank you JAFO.
Brandon

I had the dual Drew marine stabilizers on my old Scarab . They work well, but are no comparison to the full hydraulic set up I have now.
Steve

I had a dual setup on my Formula 242LS- it had twin Alphas, non counter-rotating, and the Drews helped tame the torque steer at speed- the seemed to make the boat have a safer feel. They are effective, but certainly cannot be compared to an external hydraulic setup. I went this route knowing I was going to move up in boats, and didn't want to invest in a full-blown steering system. Their kits are well constructed- I had to do some mods to make it work for my setup (clearance issues with swim platform, tie bar, drive reservoirs, showers, etc.,.) I didn't take any measurements on throw and travels of the cylinders- they appeared to be a balanced-piston dampener very similar to what is used on a four-wheel drive vehicle's steering. I'm sure one could fabricate his own system, but it would take more time than I wanted to spend- I guess I took the easy way out.....
You need to assess if you are going to keep this boat of yours for a very long time- if so, I would hold off on a Drew setup and keep the money towards an external steering system. There's a lot of twin-powered boats out there that don't have external steering- I haven't heard of too many having your symptoms unless something was worn out somewhere. The Drew system nor a tie-bar are a fix for worn out components. If you don't have a tie-bar, that would be a great place to start. Do a search on OSO on Drew and I'm sure you'll get quite a few hits.
I've included an old pic taken of my setup - the tie-bar or swim platform hadn't been installed yet. Damn I miss that boat- 70+mph and it was great on fuel!
Jim

Brandon be careful. That boat is a handful with those 454s in it.I am very famaliar with that boat being that my brothers boat company is the one who built that boat originally before the molds being sold to Century.The hull is originally an old Monza 26 that we made a mold off and has a lot of rocker in the bottom.At 65mph with twin 260hps in it it would get squirrely . Go easy on the trim or it will bite you .I almost flipped one from running to much trim in smooth water.

Thanks guys, I really don't have any symptoms now as it all seemed to go away when I put it back to gether and tightened upp everything. I do have a tie bar also. Here is what I have to work with. Not alot of room back there. I would really like to get ext. hyd. steering but by no means can afford it. I just got a good deal on the boat and all I can afford. I work for a marina so the maintenance and upkeep is no problem nor is labor if something big happens. Thanks again for any help.
Brandon

I have similar problems, but my steering IS WORN.
Safety first. I'm going full hydro. New props and stereo etc. will just have to wait.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...d.php?t=168091

That is the first time I have seen the stabilizers, but for the $800 tag I would save another $500 and would go external, I have seen units sell in the 1300 range(double for you).. Anything would be better then the stock steering, if ya are really pinched on $$.
John

Yeah, I think I have everything figured out and all is good but only want it for a "just in case" kinda thing. I'll keep checking around and hopefully come up with a reasonable priced hydraulic steering sut up. I have all winter to look. The OSS race at LOTO is the only other time I plan on running again this year other that a few minutes here and there when I get the bug