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Old 22-09-2008, 06:34 PM   #1
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Steering?

After seeing the hydraulic steering thread started by Dan, it's got me thinking... It'd seem we could do with a thread to debate the different types of steering.

I've bought Pash's cat and one of the most important (and first) things i intend to change is the steering.
My situation is probably going to be similar to many others, i want a good steering setup for a high performance boat, but i don't have a massive budget.

What are my options and what are the prices? I already know i can't afford the top end stuff, and i'm sure i don't need it, but i don't like the idea of a single bolt stopping me wearing my boat.

I'm sure some of this will be a matter of personal opinion, but i'm hoping to see a bit of a trend form as to which systems are good, and which arent.

For those who don't know it's going to be steering a mariner 300.

Cheers in advance,

James
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Old 22-09-2008, 07:00 PM   #2
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James,
Tony told me that the seastar pro was the one to get and as he says change the bolt!

Have a word with him about one he had taken off a boat somewhere

Has the Cat arrived yet??
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Old 22-09-2008, 07:32 PM   #3
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Haven't got the cat here yet, it's either coming over tonight or during the day tomorrow, I'll either get her at 4am or 4pm tomorrow!

I've already spoken to TD about the seastar, he's going to get in touch once he can find out what the guy wants to do with it. Whilst this is most likely the option i'll go with, i do still worry about that little bolt... I noticed seastar is rated to 75mph and i'm hoping to go above that, it'll probably also get quite a hammering from the rough conditions over here.
I must admit though, seeing that cookee hasn't managed to break his whilst breaking 3 saddles does push me towards the seastar. If he can't break it i'm sure i can't!

To be honest, i figure that if people like TD and cookee recommend seastar then it's probably the one to go with, just thought i'd see what people had to say.
Apart from anything else price will probably have me go down the seastar route anyhoo!

You'll get an excited text from me the minute she arrives tomorrow, i can assure you!

James
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Old 22-09-2008, 07:32 PM   #4
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As far as i know you have 4 different types of steering.

1. Wire steering

I know very little about this type but it relys on wire rope and pulleys.

2 Ride glide

Guide price £200 for a second hand twin system

Single ride glide in my opinion is a no no as if the 1 cable breaks then you are out.
twin ride glide gives the best feedback and if looked after is a very reliable system especially if you get the silver cables with the grease nipples in them. However on single aplication you will suffer from torque steer and struggle to hold onto it if runing fast with a surface piercing prop.

3. Front mounted hydraulic

Guide price £ 700 to £900 new or £300 to £500 for second hand ok stuff (model dependant)

Sea star, bay star etc, these are ok systems but make sure its spec is high enough for your engine. you get no feed back as with any hydraulic and thus never know how much stress you are putting into its componants as the steering always feels light.

4. Side mount Hydraulic

Guide Price £1800 to £2500 new and £1000 to £1200 for good secondhand

Latham, IMCO, Mayfair etc, these top of the range systems may not be cheap but are alot stronger than anything else and altohough still rely on 1 bolt its now at least 16mm in diameter rather than a little 8mm bolt into the tiller arm as with items 2 and 3.


Hope this helps
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Old 22-09-2008, 07:39 PM   #5
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Haven't got the cat here yet, it's either coming over tonight or during the day tomorrow, I'll either get her at 4am or 4pm tomorrow!

I've already spoken to TD about the seastar, he's going to get in touch once he can find out what the guy wants to do with it. Whilst this is most likely the option i'll go with, i do still worry about that little bolt... I noticed seastar is rated to 75mph and i'm hoping to go above that, it'll probably also get quite a hammering from the rough conditions over here.
I must admit though, seeing that cookee hasn't managed to break his whilst breaking 3 saddles does push me towards the seastar. If he can't break it i'm sure i can't!

To be honest, i figure that if people like TD and cookee recommend seastar then it's probably the one to go with, just thought i'd see what people had to say.
Apart from anything else price will probably have me go down the seastar route anyhoo!

You'll get an excited text from me the minute she arrives tomorrow, i can assure you!

James
Looking forward to it....
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Old 22-09-2008, 07:39 PM   #6
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Cheers Burty, that's pretty much what i was looking for all in one post!
Price wise i think i'll most likely go with front mount hydraulic. It's running twin ride glide at the mo (with the silver cables and grease nipples, ask pash how i know that!! )

I found the steering quite heavy with the ride glide so i'd like to go hydraulic, if cookee can't break the seastar then i doubt i can on a leisure application, should feel about the same as the side ram i guess.
The seastar is rated to 300hp, which is what i have, so it'll be at it's limit but should be ok?
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Old 22-09-2008, 07:48 PM   #7
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the limit is the little 8mm bolt
Guys in the US run well into the 100's with sea star pro but new kit now has the Allison mod on the rear ram which takes alot of the play out and thus stops some of the rattle on the bolt. check out the rear ram the standard pro is H5345 and the Allison mod ram is H6345
All i can suggest is get to yourself the ARP stronger bolt that TD has the part number for and change it regularly at least once a year!
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Old 22-09-2008, 08:01 PM   #8
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[QUOTE=larby;141471]Cheers Burty, that's pretty much what i was looking for all in one post!
Price wise i think i'll most likely go with front mount hydraulic. It's running twin ride glide at the mo (with the silver cables and grease nipples, ask pash how i know that!! )

Seeing as theres not a flood of second hand systems finding there way to my PM box I reckon you should get outside (tonight) and take your ride glide system off (providing its a rack and pinion) and get it straight in the post to me as I'd like to get out again while we appear to have some sun!!!!!
By all accounts these cables and I guess system (silver with nipple) are no longer under manufacture and as I'm finding out trying to get the correct length replacement cable is proving
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Old 22-09-2008, 08:12 PM   #9
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Sounds like a plan... I'm aware the yanks use them at 100+ but i'd imagine 70 through a 2ft chop would stress it more with the constant hammering?

I was thinking of putting a slightly loose stainless rope strap from the tiller arm to the ram where the bolt is. It wouldn't do anything while the bolt is ok, but if it ever failed the strap would hold things kinda in place for long enough for me to back off rather than the engine instantly slamming to one side?

Maybe i'm onto something here??!
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Old 22-09-2008, 08:13 PM   #10
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Dan - I'll PM you
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Old 22-09-2008, 08:48 PM   #11
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Maybe i'm onto something here??!
No............... How big is that wire about 20mm - maybe

At the end of the day all of the steering systems available come down to one bolt. If it wasn't it couldn't pivot (exclude 2 ram on a single).
Biggest thing is to check the bolt, dont over-tighten it, use the correct spec bolt & change on a regular basis. watch out for wear, play & leaks.
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Old 22-09-2008, 08:55 PM   #12
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watch out for wear, play & leaks.
and go to church every sunday!
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Old 22-09-2008, 08:57 PM   #13
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Fair enough... Sounds like the same as most stressed items then, do it right and keep it maintained and it should be fine

I guess at the end of the day, the tiller arm with it's 8mm bolt is what mercury designed the motor to be steered with, so it must be ok if looked after!

I'm relieved that i've had this answer instead of loads of people telling me i need to buy a 2k side ram system!

Cheers for the down to earth help as usual guys

James
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Old 22-09-2008, 08:59 PM   #14
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and go to church every sunday!
lmao, i'll kneel at the altar of stern and inspect the bolt every sunday!

TD - Fingers crossed for that seastar setup then :up

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Old 22-09-2008, 09:17 PM   #15
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To be honest, i figure that if people like TD and cookee recommend seastar then it's probably the one to go with, just thought i'd see what people had to say.
James
Ere, hang on a mo, I have never reccommended Sea Star steering to any one, ever. I've sold systems to loads of people, but then I've also sold Imco as well (more of that infact)


Pash had asked me about hydraulic steering, and I told him about a s/h set that I'd recently removed from a boat, I didn't reccommend it, but I did say that for his current set up it would be fine!!!!

Assuming the owner want's to sell it.
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Old 22-09-2008, 09:18 PM   #16
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Ere, hang on a mo, I have never reccommended Sea Star steering to any one, ever. I've sold systems to loads of people, but then I've also sold Imco as well (more of that infact)


Pash had asked me about hydraulic steering, and I told him about a s/h set that I'd recently removed from a boat, I didn't reccommend it, but I did say that for his current set up it would be fine!!!!

Assuming the owner want's to sell it.
Very fair comment! - No Warrantee given or implied by TD
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Old 22-09-2008, 09:20 PM   #17
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Very fair comment! - No Warrantee given or implied by TD

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Old 22-09-2008, 09:41 PM   #18
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and go to church every sunday!
No last time I walked in the cross fell upside down & the sky turned black
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Old 22-09-2008, 09:45 PM   #19
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No last time I walked in the cross fell upside down & the sky turned black
Are you now a reformed Agnostic
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Old 22-09-2008, 09:50 PM   #20
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Nope C of E











Church of Egypt (too far to travel for the day so I can't go)
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