Latham "Add-On" System
#1
Thread Starter
Registered

Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,656
Likes: 20
From: Lake Michigan
Have a 2001 302 Baja with twin Bravos. Thinking about doing the Add-On System by Latham Marine.
Anyone out there have any experience with an upgrade like this?
Anyone out there have any experience with an upgrade like this?
Last edited by Back4More; 10-15-2025 at 01:55 PM.
#2
Registered

Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,237
Likes: 553
From: Cape Coral FL
I had a boat that came from the factory with the "add-on hydraulic steering". It is still cable driven from the helm. I added the rest of the hydraulics to make it full hydraulic steering. I would do the full kit. It isn't much more money, but it is 1000% better.
#4
Registered


Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 3,554
Likes: 2,153
From: SW Ohio
There's really nothing wrong with the half hydraulic setup, per se. You'll have the rigidity and positive drive positioning of hydraulics, but you'll still have the slop in the steering cable. As I understand it, a lot of chine walk is due to the slop in the steering rack and tiller arm assembly with the cable steering, with the drive swishing side to side. Half hydraulic will eliminate this, but you'll still have some play in your steering wheel. Full hydraulics will eliminate that steering wheel play.
I am planning on doing the full hydraulic conversion over the winter, FWIW.
Thanks. Brad.
#5
I had an add on sytem on my single engine Pantera. Difficult to turn the wheel at idle speeds.
I have full hyd on my 32 AT. Night and day difference.
In your case, why add anything at this point??
I have full hyd on my 32 AT. Night and day difference.
In your case, why add anything at this point??
#7
Registered

Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 871
Likes: 259
From: Portland, OR
My old 32' Fountain came with an add on system. Out of all the thousands of dollars I spent on that thing the single best mod I did to that boat was convert it to full hydraulic. Night and day difference. Not sure why they don't come that way from the factory. The cost for that stupid Brazil valve, cables and crappy helm designed for a dingy HAS to be way more than what I paid to convert mine. Zero business being in a performance boat if you ask me. I was able to piece together the parts myself with a little research and had hoses made up locally. Stupid easy and worth every penny. In retrospect, it should have been the first mod I did to that boat.
#8
Mark,
Full hydraulic is worth EVERY penny.
The mayfair stuff on hardin's website is a good deal. We outright refuse to install the "add on" systems anymore.
Hope all is well brother
JS
Full hydraulic is worth EVERY penny.
The mayfair stuff on hardin's website is a good deal. We outright refuse to install the "add on" systems anymore.
Hope all is well brother
JS
Last edited by TeamSaris; 10-17-2025 at 11:25 AM.
#10
Thread Starter
Registered

Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,656
Likes: 20
From: Lake Michigan
All is good, kids in College! The wife and I wanted a little boat to cruise the Chain O Lakes in our Golden Years.




