"deerelk4x4" wrote in message
...
On Sep 25, 11:04 pm, "Bob La Londe" wrote:
"deerelk4x4" wrote in message

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On Sep 25, 2:45 am, "Steve Lusardi" wrote:
If you ever used a PROPERLY installed hydraulic system, you would
never
use a cable system again. It is easy to make mistakes so
you must do your arithmetic before you buy the parts. In the end, the
cost difference is minimal. your assumption of similar
maintenance between hydraulic and cable is flat wrong. There is much
less
maintenance on hydraulic systems. In fact, if designed
and installed correctly there is No maintenance, just occasional
inspection.
Steve

"Bob La Londe" wrote in
...

As I'm sure you are aware in a lot of bigger outboard applications
it
can be really hard to turn the wheel under high throttle
due to side torque. Its why a lot of (most?) bigger bass boats have
hydraulic steering. Any reason you can see not to go with
dual cable push pull steering on with a jet lower unit? Obviously
push
pull cables require maintenance, but so do hydraulic
systems.

I'm probably going to wrap up the weld & rebuild on The Tin Can Too
in
the next couple months and I have a bigger project in
mind. I already have a decent push pull system laying around from
another boat I cut up and threw in the dumpster a piece at a
time.

Is it recommended to use a cable or hydraulic system with outboard
units. I am building aboat that is supposed to have twin 40's and I
will need a steering system. which is better and easier to install
with least amount of follow-on maintenance.

Hydraulics ARE easier to steer with and require less force to use.
Hydraulics sized properly for your application will last a long time with
minimal maintenance. Repairs will cost more when it is needed however.
If
you are using counter rotating engines side torque will be less of an
issue
and with the small motors you are using it won't as bad as if you were
running bigger motors anyway. I would still go with a hydraulic steering
system if I had no steering system already. Tons of bassers had no issue
steering 150 HP motors with cable steering. As the motors get bigger,
speed
gets higher, and the RPMs climb it becomes harder and harder to turn
under
power with cable steering. I can't imagine driving one of Allisons world
record setters without hydraulics, but I have two boats with 50 HP motors
and top speeds of 32 mph and 44 mph respectively that handle just fine
with
cable steering. With two motors as far as I know they only issue is how
you
choose to link your motors together. My dad's inshore / light offshore
rig
has dual motors. I can look at it if you like, but I don't think it is
that
big of a deal. He is running hydraulic steering, but he as dual 150s
back
there.

I would like to point out that when I say cable steering I DO NOT MEAN a
cable drum with ropes and pullys. I mean linear jacketed push pull
cables
made to handle the application.

Thanks for the input. Yes this is a fresh installation. Do not
currently have a steering system and I am trying to find out which
method is better. The cable systems that I am looking at are of the
type you described, that being a jacketed cable system. I haven't
seen anything in supply store web sites about hydraulic, so the first
time heard of them was right here. any other ideas, thoughts or
inputs are greatly appreciated. currently the boat is upside-down and
slowly getting the battens, sheers, and chine placed so I can shape
the stem/keel and get ready to cover it. I have already purchased the
plywood (marine grade fir) to cover it, and will be glassing that
after finishing up.

I'm no expert on hydraulics, although I have had a couple boats with
hydraulic steering. If you decide to go that way or atleast investigate it
more thoroughly I suggest you start by beginning a new thread here. (since
I already torqued Steve L and Wally (pun intended) in this thread.) I do
not doubt Steve is well versed in hydraulic steering and could guide you
towards the best compromise between price and durability for your
application.

I suspect that a dual cable steering would probably be overkill for you, but
I have not run single cable on anything over 60HP personally. I also think
the side torque of two 40s will be greater than that of a single 80 unless
they are counter rotating (which I think is unlikely in that size). For
that low of an HP rating almost any decent hydraulic will probably allow you
to steer with one hand.

Teleflex is one company who makes hydraulic steering systems. There may be
others, but it's the one I am familiar with.