I have had Wagner hydraulic steering since day one and am quite happy with it.
I cannot address the "feel" issue as I don't have a rig on my "motorsailer",
however, my system does incorporate a three-position valve that has "feedback"
position which allows the rudder to push the wheel, "non-feedback" position
that does not allow the rudder to push the wheel (this is the position I use
100% of the time) and a "free" position to allow the use of an emergency tiller.
I had a ram seal fail about 16 years into the game, so now I routinely replace
them every ten years.
But I really love the hydraulic steering. There is almost no backlash. I move
a spoke handle on my (42") wheel a half-inch and the rudder moves. The
autopilot uses a hydraulic pump that was a snap to plumb into the system, and
we have travelled thousands of miles on it without a problem.
The main installation issue is to have a really solid place to attach the
hydraulic ram to the hull. I used a half-inch steel plate with an attachment
lug welded onto it, about 16" on a side, epoxy putty bedded to the hull and
then bolted with several 3/4" carriage bolts.
You should also have an arrangement to fit an emergency tiller.
I am not an enthusiast of cable steering. I find it to have too much backlash
for my comfort in steering and have had several friends who experienced
steering failure, most frequently from the turning blocks coming adrift from
the hull or simply pulling apart. If you do go with cable, make sure the
turning blocks are very robust and robustly attached to the boat.
Norm
S/V Bandersnatch
Lying Julington Creek FL
30 07.72N 081 38.4W
----- Original Message -----
From: Doc Turner
To: [email protected]
Sent: 2/11/2008 7:46:20 PM
Subject: [Liveaboard] Hydraulic Steering
Hi All,
I've been lurking here for a while and I noticed that you people are a pretty
knowledgeable bunch of sailors. My question is: How hard is it to install
hydraulic steering? I've got a Cascade 36 with a tiller and I'm getting tired
of hand steering all the time. Both of our tiller autopilots have given up the
ghost and I'm ready to have more room in the cockpit. So, what's involved?
How much can I expect to pay? At this point, I'm just wondering.
Thanks for your time,
Doc Turner
s/v Voyager - Cascade 36
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