steering

[tangofniro]

What is everyone using for steering? I imagine most with hydraulic? Anybody happy with NFB? Remember I have a 20 and at most will have a 150.

Where have you all found the best prices on hydraulic steering?

This boat and Capt Morgan will be the death of me yet. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[Mark]

I've had both NFB and SeaStar hydraulic and vastly prefer the hydraulic. I used both with a 140 hp Evinrude on an SC 18'

[ocuyler]

I have experience with SeaStar having installed 1 system and integrating autopilot in another.

I also have experience with Captain Morgan, who I pinkslipped several years ago for bizarre behavior...

[Mark]

captain morgan? no, causes steering issues

patron? si! causes outright visual distortion! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Ed]

Hey Tom-

Is there anything you can't do??? I'm jealous.

See you at the Dania Flea Market.

Ed

[Miles Offshore]

After blowing out a couple of nfb systems my new seastar is sweet!!!!

[gw204]

I put a new Teleflex NFB system on my boat when I repowered early last year. I upgraded from a non-NFB system and the difference is amazing. I only paid like $130 for the helm and cable from www.boatfix.com. I just couldn't justify spending $700 on a hydraulic system. No regrets so far. It steers like a dream.

BTW, the boat is a 20' Grady CC powered by an '02 Merc. 150.

[Ed]

I have SeaStar hydraulic steering on my Mako. Works very well (so far).

Ed

[other tom]

Sooner or later every cable system will require a new cable. (includes nfb system). Cable systems will always drip greasy slime in the motor well - if it doesn't make a little bit of a mess, then its not lubed enough and will probably freeze up. Cable systems are about 1/3 the cost of hydraulic, but once you have to replace the cable once, you will wish you never had to do it.

Hynautic helm pumps are stiffer than SeaStar, but the helm pump material and machining is better and more corrosion resistan than the Seastar helm.

Even with NFB, if you let the helm go at speed, the boat will turn. With hydraulic, its not an issue. Most folks will tell you that a single cable system for a 150 is not going to cut it.

I have installed hydraulic systems on every boat I've had, and those of friends. Smallest installation was a 17 mako w/ 130. I never regret any of those decisions. Just did a buddy's 17 mako as well after his cable froze, now he has a clean back end, and easy, easy steering at speed.

just my opinion, but you WILL be happy with the performance, you might have issues getting over the cost at the beginning. Installation is very straightforward and the helm pump will fit in most Teleflex cutouts.

[laser]

I put a NFB on my 20 after battling against the engine for years with a standard Tele-flex. The NFB seemed to work for a while but I noticed it has a tendency to stick when left in one spot and you have to give a pretty good tug to bypass the NFB. I have a 150 also.

My 23 I bit the bullet for Seastar and it is very nice. I got the helm above the console which puts the wheel up higher than I'm used to but it is easy to fill with oil. They have a underneath mount but I don't know how you fill it. Also the hydraulic hoses are much smaller than the teleflex.....wait until you have to change one!!! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Bill

if one is good then 2 is best!