Hydraulic Steering v. Mechanical Cable Steering

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Author Topic:   Hydraulic Steering v. Mechanical Cable Steering

18Whaler posted 04-07-2008 09:04 PM ET (US)
I have a 1985 Outrage 18 with a 2000 Johnson 150-HP outboard. I am in the process of rejuvenating the boat. In regard to steering what [are] the pro's and con's of hydraulic v. mechanical cable steering, and what is the preferred arrangement?
Thanks
Mark
high sierra posted 04-07-2008 10:55 PM ET (US)
I have a 1983 Outrage with BayStar hydraulic steering and a Yamaha F150. Steering is completely neutral with no perceptible feedback. Great in rough water. I would prefer more feedback at slow speeds but it is definitely worth the price for all around use. I bought mine from seabob4 who is on this site. high sierra
jimh posted 04-08-2008 12:17 AM ET (US)
At 150-HP a hydraulic steering system becomes more of a necessity than a convenience. The BayStar system is rated to 150-HP and offers a lower cost than traditional hydraulic steering sytems which have been rated for much higher power levels.
David Jenkins posted 04-08-2008 12:21 AM ET (US)
Is the BayStar system relatively easy to install?
fourdfish posted 04-08-2008 12:23 AM ET (US)
I have DUAL cable mechanical steering and find it to be very comfortable.
Perry posted 04-08-2008 01:05 AM ET (US)
I also bought the Baystar system from forum member seabob4 and installed it myself. It took a few hours and I'm glad I upgraded from cable steering.
EIKNIB posted 04-08-2008 06:29 AM ET (US)
I have dual cable steering on my bass boat, and would feel very uncomfortable with any other type of steering.
rich
ConB posted 04-08-2008 08:57 AM ET (US)
I would be interested to know if any one with hydraulic steering has had to deal with any oil or air leaks.
Con
swist posted 04-08-2008 09:10 AM ET (US)
I owned one boat with hydraulic steering. It is well-developed technology which is actually pretty simple as far as moving parts and other failure-prone things. I never had any problem with leaks, air entrapment, or other failures - this was over an 11 year period with a 225 hp engine on a 24' ProLine. It was one of the common brands, but I can't remember which one, which shows you how much I had to deal with it.
Peter posted 04-08-2008 02:20 PM ET (US)
I've had seals leak on my hydraulic systems. Not a big deal. Never had the steering system fail or lock up. Wouldn't have an 18 Outrage with a 150 HP outboard without it.
Outnaboat posted 04-09-2008 02:40 AM ET (US)
I have hydraulic steering on my 86 Outrage 18 with a Yamaha 150, and I wouldn't have it any other way. At higher speeds the steering control is so much better and safer. Although a couple of years ago, my brother in law ruptured one of the lines knocking it with a crab pot, and we had to improvise getting the boat back to the slip. It was however an easy fix. good idea to stow a roll of tape and extra fluid.
Wasatch Whaler posted 04-09-2008 09:24 AM ET (US)
When I bought my 18' Outrage with 150 Johnson it had hydraulic steering already installed. It is a really nice feature.
I think it's a little bit like high-speed Internet; once you have it, you'll never go back...
hauptjm posted 04-09-2008 06:14 PM ET (US)
I have the SeaStar unit on an 18 Outrage with a 150hp engine. I wouldn't have it any other way.
18Whaler posted 04-09-2008 09:38 PM ET (US)
Should I go with the Baystar with a max rating of 150Hp which is the size engine I have or should I opt for the Seastar which is rated to for a higher hoursepower engine?
JayR posted 04-10-2008 05:06 AM ET (US)
I installled the BayStar on my Ribbed Outrage coupled to an E-TEC 150. It is wonderful and certainly capable of handling the 150 HP max it is designed for.
I'll never install mechanical steering again. There's no comparison.
alfa posted 04-11-2008 01:31 AM ET (US)
Seastar on my 22' Outrage. Very fine steering ! Merc 150hp
http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a141/alfajet/JackPlate/?action=view& current=Pearl_work_07_2007042.jpg
Peter posted 04-11-2008 07:26 AM ET (US)
I had to replace the hydraulic steering ram last year on my 18 Outrage because I couldn't get the old one off the old motor to reuse it. I went with the Seastar steering ram because it seemed more robustly built to me than the Baystar. While the Baystar will work, I like the idea of not being right at the upper limit of a design.
It was a very easy installation, probably took less than 1 hour including filling and bleeding the lines.
jimh posted 04-11-2008 09:01 AM ET (US)
Like all marine parts, hydraulic steering components can be purchased at a wide range of prices. If you do some careful shopping you should be able to find a hydraulic steering system at a reasonable prices. I have seen a price ratio of 2:1 between some re-sellers for the same items.
I believe the BayStar rig comes as a complete kit. Often the package price for a kit will be better than buying all the components individually.
placerville posted 04-12-2008 06:21 PM ET (US)
We have a Baystar unit on our 21' Revenge-like boat. It's attached to a 140 hp Suzuki 4s. We did develop a leak at the shaft seal after 600 hours. Teleflex was great about replacing the helm pump which they told be is made a little more robust than when I bought it 3 years ago.
We do love how it operates.
Matt
sosmerc posted 04-21-2008 11:44 PM ET (US)
My recommendation would be to go with Seastar hydraulic. If you install it yourself I have a few pointers that I think are important and sometimes overlooked.
The rod that goes through the tilt tube needs to be very well lubed prior to installation. Also, where the "bullhorns" connect to the rod and the cylinder, this also needs to be very well lubricated. These parts need to be able to move and pivot. Otherwise, I have seen seals fail on the cylinder prematurely due to stress bending of the cylinder rod when the engine is tilted.
Proper bleeding of the system is essential and can be done manually by two coordinated folks :)
Because I service alot of hydraulic systems, I purchased a slick tool that Teleflex offers called the Power Purge Junior. I can fill and bleed a complete system in about 5 minutes...and the results are generally better than can be done manually.
I think you will really love the system.
ColderByTheLake posted 05-02-2008 08:55 AM ET (US)
An additional factor to consider: if you ever decide to add an autopilot such as the Raymarine S-1000, you'll need hydrolic.
DeeVee posted 05-02-2008 10:02 PM ET (US)
My 1989 Outrage has what I belive is the original hydraulic system. I think it is what would be sold as the Seastar system today.
When I bought the boat, no leaks were evident. Leaks did develope during my first year of ownership. The helm shaft seal and a cylinder seal were replaced.
The parts were easily obtainable and the replacement was fairly simple using the instructions available at the excellent Teleflex website.
I recommend hydraulic steering. It is a very reliable system. The boat handles as a boat should - effortlessly.
Doug
Tom W Clark posted 05-03-2008 11:54 AM ET (US)
Regarding adding an auto pilot: There are autopilots for mechanical steering systems just as there are autopilots for hydraulic systems, but some hydraulic steering systems are NOT compatible with autopilots. The SeaStar Pro and systems using unbalanced side mount cylinders are among them.

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Author	Topic: Hydraulic Steering v. Mechanical Cable Steering
18Whaler	posted 04-07-2008 09:04 PM ET (US) I have a 1985 Outrage 18 with a 2000 Johnson 150-HP outboard. I am in the process of rejuvenating the boat. In regard to steering what [are] the pro's and con's of hydraulic v. mechanical cable steering, and what is the preferred arrangement? Thanks Mark
high sierra	posted 04-07-2008 10:55 PM ET (US) I have a 1983 Outrage with BayStar hydraulic steering and a Yamaha F150. Steering is completely neutral with no perceptible feedback. Great in rough water. I would prefer more feedback at slow speeds but it is definitely worth the price for all around use. I bought mine from seabob4 who is on this site. high sierra
jimh	posted 04-08-2008 12:17 AM ET (US) At 150-HP a hydraulic steering system becomes more of a necessity than a convenience. The BayStar system is rated to 150-HP and offers a lower cost than traditional hydraulic steering sytems which have been rated for much higher power levels.
David Jenkins	posted 04-08-2008 12:21 AM ET (US) Is the BayStar system relatively easy to install?
fourdfish	posted 04-08-2008 12:23 AM ET (US) I have DUAL cable mechanical steering and find it to be very comfortable.
Perry	posted 04-08-2008 01:05 AM ET (US) I also bought the Baystar system from forum member seabob4 and installed it myself. It took a few hours and I'm glad I upgraded from cable steering.
EIKNIB	posted 04-08-2008 06:29 AM ET (US) I have dual cable steering on my bass boat, and would feel very uncomfortable with any other type of steering. rich
ConB	posted 04-08-2008 08:57 AM ET (US) I would be interested to know if any one with hydraulic steering has had to deal with any oil or air leaks. Con
swist	posted 04-08-2008 09:10 AM ET (US) I owned one boat with hydraulic steering. It is well-developed technology which is actually pretty simple as far as moving parts and other failure-prone things. I never had any problem with leaks, air entrapment, or other failures - this was over an 11 year period with a 225 hp engine on a 24' ProLine. It was one of the common brands, but I can't remember which one, which shows you how much I had to deal with it.
Peter	posted 04-08-2008 02:20 PM ET (US) I've had seals leak on my hydraulic systems. Not a big deal. Never had the steering system fail or lock up. Wouldn't have an 18 Outrage with a 150 HP outboard without it.
Outnaboat	posted 04-09-2008 02:40 AM ET (US) I have hydraulic steering on my 86 Outrage 18 with a Yamaha 150, and I wouldn't have it any other way. At higher speeds the steering control is so much better and safer. Although a couple of years ago, my brother in law ruptured one of the lines knocking it with a crab pot, and we had to improvise getting the boat back to the slip. It was however an easy fix. good idea to stow a roll of tape and extra fluid.
Wasatch Whaler	posted 04-09-2008 09:24 AM ET (US) When I bought my 18' Outrage with 150 Johnson it had hydraulic steering already installed. It is a really nice feature. I think it's a little bit like high-speed Internet; once you have it, you'll never go back...
hauptjm	posted 04-09-2008 06:14 PM ET (US) I have the SeaStar unit on an 18 Outrage with a 150hp engine. I wouldn't have it any other way.
18Whaler	posted 04-09-2008 09:38 PM ET (US) Should I go with the Baystar with a max rating of 150Hp which is the size engine I have or should I opt for the Seastar which is rated to for a higher hoursepower engine?
JayR	posted 04-10-2008 05:06 AM ET (US) I installled the BayStar on my Ribbed Outrage coupled to an E-TEC 150. It is wonderful and certainly capable of handling the 150 HP max it is designed for. I'll never install mechanical steering again. There's no comparison.
alfa	posted 04-11-2008 01:31 AM ET (US) Seastar on my 22' Outrage. Very fine steering ! Merc 150hp http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a141/alfajet/JackPlate/?action=view& current=Pearl_work_07_2007042.jpg
Peter	posted 04-11-2008 07:26 AM ET (US) I had to replace the hydraulic steering ram last year on my 18 Outrage because I couldn't get the old one off the old motor to reuse it. I went with the Seastar steering ram because it seemed more robustly built to me than the Baystar. While the Baystar will work, I like the idea of not being right at the upper limit of a design. It was a very easy installation, probably took less than 1 hour including filling and bleeding the lines.
jimh	posted 04-11-2008 09:01 AM ET (US) Like all marine parts, hydraulic steering components can be purchased at a wide range of prices. If you do some careful shopping you should be able to find a hydraulic steering system at a reasonable prices. I have seen a price ratio of 2:1 between some re-sellers for the same items. I believe the BayStar rig comes as a complete kit. Often the package price for a kit will be better than buying all the components individually.
placerville	posted 04-12-2008 06:21 PM ET (US) We have a Baystar unit on our 21' Revenge-like boat. It's attached to a 140 hp Suzuki 4s. We did develop a leak at the shaft seal after 600 hours. Teleflex was great about replacing the helm pump which they told be is made a little more robust than when I bought it 3 years ago. We do love how it operates. Matt
sosmerc	posted 04-21-2008 11:44 PM ET (US) My recommendation would be to go with Seastar hydraulic. If you install it yourself I have a few pointers that I think are important and sometimes overlooked. The rod that goes through the tilt tube needs to be very well lubed prior to installation. Also, where the "bullhorns" connect to the rod and the cylinder, this also needs to be very well lubricated. These parts need to be able to move and pivot. Otherwise, I have seen seals fail on the cylinder prematurely due to stress bending of the cylinder rod when the engine is tilted. Proper bleeding of the system is essential and can be done manually by two coordinated folks :) Because I service alot of hydraulic systems, I purchased a slick tool that Teleflex offers called the Power Purge Junior. I can fill and bleed a complete system in about 5 minutes...and the results are generally better than can be done manually. I think you will really love the system.
ColderByTheLake	posted 05-02-2008 08:55 AM ET (US) An additional factor to consider: if you ever decide to add an autopilot such as the Raymarine S-1000, you'll need hydrolic.
DeeVee	posted 05-02-2008 10:02 PM ET (US) My 1989 Outrage has what I belive is the original hydraulic system. I think it is what would be sold as the Seastar system today. When I bought the boat, no leaks were evident. Leaks did develope during my first year of ownership. The helm shaft seal and a cylinder seal were replaced. The parts were easily obtainable and the replacement was fairly simple using the instructions available at the excellent Teleflex website. I recommend hydraulic steering. It is a very reliable system. The boat handles as a boat should - effortlessly. Doug
Tom W Clark	posted 05-03-2008 11:54 AM ET (US) Regarding adding an auto pilot: There are autopilots for mechanical steering systems just as there are autopilots for hydraulic systems, but some hydraulic steering systems are NOT compatible with autopilots. The SeaStar Pro and systems using unbalanced side mount cylinders are among them.