Boat owners have debated the virtues of hydraulic versus mechanical steering systems for decades. And while both systems boast their share of advantages, even the saltiest boat owners know that the preference almost always comes down to the type of boating that’s being done.
Cable-actuated mechanical systems are known for their responsiveness and lack of complexity – perfect traits for small, fast moving boats with tight turning radiuses. Hydraulic systems, however, offer an unparalleled compromise between performance and practicality. For larger, more powerful boats that are inherently more prone to torque steer and require more judicious control from the helm, there’s no debate: they’re the safe, sensible steering solution that you need.
Keep Your Boat on Course With a Hydraulic Steering Conversion
Let’s be honest: while the question of whether hydraulic steering systems are better than mechanical ones borders on academic, it can be perilously real if you’re confronted with a steering failure in open water. Mechanical systems can freeze, bind, or even break unexpectedly, especially after you’ve re-powered; and the surest way to prevent this is by refitting your boat with a high-quality marine boat hydraulic steering system and accessories.
Not only do hydraulic systems give you safe, reliable control of your steering, they also reduce the time and cost associated with maintaining a mechanical system. That makes them one of the smartest investments you can make in your boat today, as well as its future resale value.
While a lighter, more predictable helm is the most widely discussed advantage that a boat hydraulic steering system has to offer, safety is your biggest benefit. With boat hydraulic steering, you’re able to avoid a host of dangerous problems and effects that can lead to widely unpredictable handling, as well as a catastrophic inclination for captains to over-compensate, including:
- Inordinately heavy steering. With fewer steering components to wear, loosen, or to outright fail due to corrosion or a lack of lubrication, hydraulic steering systems are less likely to experience heavy steering difficulties than mechanical ones.
- Unexpected torque steer. Torque steer denotes your stern’s urge to move in the direction your propellers are turning – an effect that can be considerably reduced with hydraulic systems as your steering wheel and motor aren’t physically linked.
- Perilous steering bias. Steering bias describes a boat’s unnatural affinity on the plane to steer lighter to one side than the other; and it’s another effect that’s considerably reduced with hydraulic steering.
Make no mistake: steering a long boat that’s also churning out more power than it was originally designed for is no lightweight undertaking, and any of the above issues could happen with either hydraulic or mechanical steering. However, with the 1000+ psi constant line pressure that’s produced by marine hydraulic steering systems, you’re effectively able to neutralise them. There’s no need to resort to shifting payloads or radical trim adjustments, making them the smartest and safest conversion to keep your boat on course at all times.
Solid, Simple Steering Components For the Widest Range of Powerplants
Once you’ve made the decision to convert your boat’s steering over to hydraulic, it’s important to remember that the system’s performance ultimately comes down to the quality of its parts. Arguably the most crucial advantage of hydraulic steering for boats is that they do away with a crateload of friction-inducing cables, gearboxes, and tubing in favour of just three heavy duty, high-pressure components:
- Compact helm pumps. Depending on the position of your wheel, helm pumps are sold in front, rear, and tilting configurations; and together with their ratings up to 1500psi are designed to deliver precise steering at high torque loads with zero feedback, and a maximum of 4.5 turns lock-to-lock.
- Rugged steering actuating cylinder. With their stainless steel cylinder and rod, solid seals, and link assemblies, heavy duty actuating cylinders eliminate the complex mass of mechanical cables and pulleys, and are available for virtually every inboard or outboard, and stern drive motor, in configurations up to four inboard powerplants.
- Premium hydraulic hoses. High-flow, 1000+ psi rated hydraulic hoses are the crucial arteries for every hydraulic boat steering system, are available in both rigid and high-flex constructions, and are specially made for all brass fittings.
And while there’s no shortage of owners who prefer to outfit their boats one component at a time, or with a hybrid hydraulic configuration, you can also purchase complete hydraulic conversion kits for a full selection of the most popular powerplants sold in Australia, including:
- Evinrudes, up to 300hp;
- Hondas, up to 250hp;
- Johnsons, up to 225hp;
- Mercury/Mariners, up to 300hp;
- Suzukis, up to 300hp;
- Tohatsus, up to 250hp; and,
- Yamahas, up to 300hp.
Ideally, even though these precision hydraulic steering systems are engineered for offshore cruisers up 10 metres with larger powerplants, they’re just as effective with 5-metre inland cuddys. Not surprisingly though, the one common trait that all hydraulic systems have, regardless of the size of boat, are their maintenance routines. And while they only require a fraction of the maintenance that mechanical systems need, they’re still just as important.
Make Maintenance a Priority For Your Boat’s Steering
With maintenance being the most important activity any boat owner can undertake, even a fully-sealed hydraulic steering system needs periodic inspection. It’s a far simpler schedule than you’d have with a mechanical system, though; that’s because the sheer number of moving parts, and the likelihood of part breakage are both dramatically reduced.
A thorough and regular maintenance schedule for hydraulic steering systems will include:
- Checking the fluid level, and topping off the helm pump;
- Cleaning and re-greasing the steering cylinder; and,
- Checking all hydraulic hoses and fittings for leaks or damage.
An especially keen eye should also be kept on the colour and condition of your hydraulic steering fluid. As a minimum, the system should be flushed every 5 years and refilled with fresh fluid, or sooner if the system has been contaminated or there’s some formation of sludge in it.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, while mechanical steering has its place in boating, when it comes to the convenience of light and responsive steering, hydraulic steering is the overwhelming favourite. And for longer, more powerful boats that spend more of their time in open, choppier water, it’s the only way to be sure that you’re safely in charge of the helm.
Replacing your mechanical steering system with a high quality marine boat hydraulic system may cost more than a cable upfit, but it’s a upgrade that instantly pays for itself. When the hydraulic versus mechanical debate turns to peace of mind, hydraulics are the hands-down winner.
