Do I need Hydraulic Steering?

[nittanyphil]

Cinncy,

When I go to pick up the boat I will talk to the mechanic and find the prop sizes. As for engine, I specifically got the boat from this dealer because he had the new 2004 130 Honda (2005 replaced with 135) over other dealers with 115 Mercury and 115 Yammy. I know it is 100 lbs heavier than yammy but used same engine in several cars..

[Jim-N-SD]

If you ever intend to use an autopilot then hydraulic steering is a must.

[MolarBoater]

With that size boat, if it came with hydraulic great but if not why worry. Keep plenty of grease up inside the aluminum sleeve (might consider adding a grease nipple there)which the rod connects to the motor and slides in and out, then you will have smooth operation without any more expense. With a 210 or eventually 230 size and maybe with 200 motor or more, think I would prefer hydraulic then or if you will have electronics like Jim mentioned.
But heck it is a boat, if you are itching for a winter project, adding hydraulic steering sounds like a whole lotta fun!
Just 3 more months till spring, Molar

[AstroDiver]

Molar, you didn't winterize your boat did you? Three months till you are on the water again? Bummer.
I waiting for a really cold rotten weather day to take my boat out. :^)
Maybe this Sunday if it's not raining and thunderstorms.

[MolarBoater]

Astro, I almost enjoy working on the boat during winter as I do using it in warm weather, which has just about been all this month! Gonna repack wheel bearings this weekend and gotta add that collapsable rigging/cutting table. Oh yeah, still don't have that e-box up yet and need to do my monthly recharging of batteries. There just isn't enough time to go boat riding, maybe ready when the bugs come out and the pelagics start showing up. haha

[LSUTIGER1947]

I bought my 210 w/o hy. steering. I later bought it from Merritt Marine and installed it myself without any trouble. ( You have to be able to lift the engine about 10-12" off of the transom). It's not something you have to have but it sure does make life easy in tight steering situations. Good luck.

[LittleCasino]

Hydraulics GOOOOD No hydraulics BAAAAD Seriously, It will be like night and day, you will love it!

[MolarBoater]

Wow, I installed the grease port nut, "Cable Buddy", and I can steer non hydraulic Bay 190 Zuki df140 with one finger!

This thing goes on the port side of that aluminum steerer tube that gets very little lubricant and can "freeze up" on you during long periods on non use.

I would recc a non grease port nut to be put on first, though, to act as a "lock-nut" since it is easy to tighten the grease ported nut in too far.

[paginnett]

well i can't compare it to not having hydrolic, because my boat came with it, but it is terrific

[MolarBoater]

Guess you could sum it up like this.

"Do I need hydrolic steering?"
No, but you might Want hydrolic steering.

"When will I Want hydrolic steering?"
When you feel you are having difficulty manuvering the boat at low speeds.
When you get home from boating and your arms hurt.
When the NoFeedBack ss cable freezes up inside the aluminum bracket tube.
When you want to install AutoPilot.
When you have twin motors or a motor that is "big" and heavy and a boat that is the
same. (your interpretation of what is big)
When the NoFeedBack system has to be replaced.
When the dealer says, "Hydrolic steering comes complementary with that boat!"

Feel free to add your thoughts.
Cable Buddy is my answer till one day, when NoFeedBack dies, I replace with hydrolic.