hydraulic steering must have?

N

nepatsfanatic

New member
Hi Guys, I have a project 77' V20. I'm putting an Evinrude 225 on it and would like to know the best way to set up the steering. From what I've seen hydraulic is recommended, to counter the engine torque. A new Seastar set up is wowee expensive. Is a cable system viable or will I be exhausted from wrestling with the boat? I gotta save some energy for fish fighting!

I'd be grateful for advice
Steve
 
No, a cable system of pulleys and steel cable is not the way to go. Hydraulics are great, but not necessary. (IMHO) A teleflex system will cost you a lot less, you can find them on eBay for even cheaper and will do the job. You'll be able to fish when you get to your fishing grounds.
 
A double cable no feedback would be my reccomendation if your on a budget. Next best option is a rack and pinion dual cable. Anything over 150HP should have dual cables for safety, but you can run a single. Hydraulic steering is nice, but the initial cost is a factor.
 
Destroyer said:
No, a cable system of pulleys and steel cable is not the way to go. Hydraulics are great, but not necessary. (IMHO) A teleflex system will cost you a lot less, you can find them on eBay for even cheaper and will do the job. You'll be able to fish when you get to your fishing grounds.
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he didn't mean an old cable pulley system lol he ment the cable system most everyone here is running lol
 
I went through 2 cable systems with mine, the first was installed by the p.o. and lasted about 5 yrs. It broke on the lake running 37 mph or so and took a HARD right barely avoiding a wooden seawall. Second system lasted a little over a year before freezing up. I said screw it and did the hydraulic thing. Cost a little under a grand but worth it to know I don't have to fool with a cable system any more. Cable systems get expensive too when you have to replace them over and over. Just bad luck on my part I guess?
 
Blue_Runner said:
I went through 2 cable systems with mine, the first was installed by the p.o. and lasted about 5 yrs. It broke on the lake running 37 mph or so and took a HARD right barely avoiding a wooden seawall. Second system lasted a little over a year before freezing up. I said screw it and did the hydraulic thing. Cost a little under a grand but worth it to know I don't have to fool with a cable system any more. Cable systems get expensive too when you have to replace them over and over. Just bad luck on my part I guess?
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BR don't forget the Bro of mine that had his hydraulic system burst a hose at the motor causing him to have no steering and crashed into the Morehead City bridge, it about killed him.
 
Skools Out said:
he didn't mean an old cable pulley system lol he ment the cable system most everyone here is running lol
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LOL Ya, I know, I just wanted to make sure that he wasn't talking about one by ruling it out. I've seen some strange things in my days, as I'm sure you have also. I have single cable no feedback systems on both of my boats and haven't had any problems with them.
 
aaah come on i still use antenna guide cable wrapped in plastic a few plastic rollers a shackle one for each side and spool at the steering wheels. works fine!:fight:
 
One thing that I forgot to mention is the advisability of getting a cable steering guard. I've had them for years, and ever since I started using them truthfully I've never had a steering cable failure. I use the widget, which is now called the steersman cable guard. Basically it's a nut with an o ring and a zirk fitting that fits on the end of the tilt tube. It keeps the salt, dirt and water out and the greese in. At the risk of sounding like spam, if you're interested go to www.steersman.com and check them out. Given the cost of even the cheapest steering cable, the small amount of money these things cost is well worth the protection. :beer:
 
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I forgot about those....a must have for the cable steering units! Could have saved mine! Good post.

Steup up here - you be crazy man! :you:
 
once you go with a hydraulic, you'll never go back to a cable on a big motor. I wouldn't recomend a single cable steering on any V6 or bigger. I have a single cable no feed back on my Mckee witha 60. The teleflex if hgih, I've installed some u flex systems and have been pleased with them. The Uflex is usually cheaper in price than the teleflex
 
Hydro

Is the way to go.... Figure a cost per day based on 7 years and anything starts to look good. That's how I talked myself into that lenco LED switch dealio thingamabob. I love it though. Hydraulics last a very long time too. 2 cents
 
I LOVE this forum!, you guys are awesome. Thanks for all advice given. It looks like I'll have to shop around a bit. The thought of having this motor hit full lock at wot is terrifying. On a dual cable system (not pulleys) what makes it zero feedback? do they push and pull together or opposite? My father was a commercial long line and gill net fisherman in England, he lost steering at speed when the cable snapped and was almost thrown out of the boat. Scary stuff for sure. I had a 15' ?? many moons ago with a 115 merc on pulleys, had it as tight as possible, but at wot maybe 50-55 mph it would twist back and forth against the springs. Seems absolutely crazy now!

The yellow one is me and the green one is the wife after telling her the cost of hydraulics! :nut:
 
I was the yellow one as well....but luckily (or unlucky depending on how you look at it) my wife was on the boat when the cable snapped. Gave me a bit of extra leverage.
 
i make the money and i spend the money, she finds out when it hits the yard! and all the little stuff goes in the shed, and she has no idea whats out there, and I have so much stuff that i could hide a Volkswagen out there and she no find it!
 
HAHAHA! For a brief second I thought about telling Mrs. Blue that the repair bill on my engine was $600.....then take the extra $400 and invest in a new rod and reel....like I said, it was a very, very brief second. :hide:
 
I just bought a new $400 dollar Electric reel for Cod fishing.
I own a double lot, so hose address is one street and the back yard (shed) is another street, I have sent to shed and she never the wiser:hide::hide::hide:
 
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