Next message: Magnus Perman: "[world-cruising] hydraulic steering+ wind vane"
Thanks, all. This information is very helpful.
Karen
--- In , "Bryan Genez" <svcapella at dot dot dot > wrote:
>
> On 5/1/07, klysmi <klysmi at dot dot dot > wrote:
> >
> > My husband is considering buying a 1987 boat with hydraulic steering and
> > has no experience
> > with it. I'm scrambling to research. What are the pros and cons? What
> > are *very* specific
> > problems to look out for? What are the issues with hydraulic steering and
> > windvanes? Can
> > anyone weigh in with their experiences or recommend good reading (esp
> > online, as we're in
> > Paris) on this topic? I'm looking for as much detail as possible here,
> > and I appreciate any
> > insight.
>
>
> Pros: hydraulic steering is a simpler solution than cables for boats with an
> aft cabin (i.e., center cockpit). Cable steering on those boats can follow
> a tortuous path, with many bends, each of which becomes a potential failure
> point. Hydraulic steering is quite strong, which means very little effort
> on the wheel will turn a large rudder. Many boats, especially larger boats,
> use hydraulics for multiple systems: backstay tensioners, solid boom vangs,
> even furlers and winches. So one properly designed system can serve
> multiple functions.
>
> Cons: if they leak, you have a mess. I've spoken with owners who claim
> their hydraulic steering "creeps" - causing a slight rudder turn while the
> helm is amidships. There's no "midships" marking on the wheel, as that
> point will change. As Henry mentioned, there's no feedback; if you're not
> watching your compass, you can easily wander off course. I don't know
> anyone with a windvane + hydraulic steering, so no help there.
>
> --
> Best,
> Bryan Genez
> "Capella" V40-158
> New Bern, NC
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
