Steering Questions

[speeence]

I am looking to replace the steering system in a 28 Carter, very similar to a skipjack. It has one helm on the flybridge, two ford engines with Volve 270 outdrives. The current steering system is extremely old. Its a power assisted hydraulic system that is powered by a belt on the starboard engine. There are no parts to be found anywhere, so I'm looking to pull the entire system and start over, but I can't seem to get a concensus on what kind of system to install now. On our current system, if we lose the starboard engine we lose all steering completely, and I definitely don't want to have this problem with the new system. Some people are recommending a mechanical system, others recommending a power assisted hydraulic system, and others recommending a hydraulic system with no power assist. I'm looking to not spend a fortune so what would people recommend? In a non power assisted hydraulic system, how hard will it be to turn the steering wheel?

Any and all ideas/recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Safe boating!

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Steering Questions

The mechanical system will probably not be to your liking with the dual helms and twins.
The power assisted, well, you are pretty well limited to replacing what you have.
And the hydralic "without the assist" you were told about, I am sure they were refering to full hydralic steering. No cables, just hoses and rams. NOT what you want if you want to keep the price down. Full hydralic is VERY expensive.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Steering Questions

Ayuh,... If you want Cheap, go with a cable system...
If you want the Best, go full stand alone Hydraulic...