SAFETY while boating

[GNSfishing]

If the cable steering system is so great then why do the factory's install hydraulic steering systems on the high performance boats now days??? I know one family who lost 2 kids due to the double steering cable systems. Nothing broke (and cables do break) but the torque from the motor being applied back to the steering wheel from a 200 hp motor and not using kill switch when the operator removed his grip on the wheel allowed the boat to go into a sharp 90 deg turn throwing all into the water and you can figure what happened next it was not a pretty picture  . The hydraulic steering systems will hold if you loose your grip on the wheel. Yes it was an accident but the cable systems are harder to turn in one direction and freewheel in the other direction when trimmed out. These high performance boats now days require ones complete attention when operating them which requires a hot foot throttle, hydraulic steering, and a experienced operator because things can go wrong in an instance.

The SeaStar hydraulic steering systems for 150 and up to 300 Hp the bolt connection between the engine and steering cylinder is a high grade steel shoulder bolt that screws in to the cylinder arm with a nyloc nut screwing on the bolt threads double locking in position. If assembled correctly it would  be almost impossible for it to come unscrewed and the force required to shear that bolt, well there will be other visible physical damage to the motor and/or to the steering cylinder and boat. Yep you could rupture a hose but the bursting psi required would be beyond the helms capacity to do so. Yep you could pick either system apart to this or that could fail with either system. These systems need to be installed correctly to operate safely, all fasteners torqued to the factory specs is an important factor in any installation. Any man made system can and do fail but look at the least likely for your application and go with it. But all operating systems do need to be checked periodically for safe operating condition things happen. Like I stated there are pros and cons of both steering systems. The bottom line the double cable and single push pull steering systems are old school for 150 hp and lower hp applications just like the cable and pulleys down each side of the boat with a windless helm setup it worked then on small motors on 14 ft boats but not now days.     

[fishinwrench]

27 minutes ago, GNSfishing said:

If the cable steering system is so great then why do the factory's install hydraulic steering systems on the high performance boats now days???

Because everyone wants their boat to drive like their car.  

Race cars don't have power steering.

The biggest problem will come as the boat ages.  Not everyone gets a new boat every 6-8 years, and hydraulic steering works fine until all of a sudden it doesn't.  I just am programmed to look at it from a durability/dependability point of view.  

I won't "work on" a hydraulic steering system for liability reasons, if any part of the system needs service then I replace the entire system.  I won't replace a seal, cylinder, bushing, bracket, or hose.  It's all or nothing.

[SplitG2]

“......Cables only last 5-7 years before they begin to get so stiff that they have to be replaced.....”

Guess who needs new cables?🖐

[vernon]

22 hours ago, SplitG2 said:

“......Cables only last 5-7 years before they begin to get so stiff that they have to be replaced.....”

Guess who needs new cables?🖐

I know a guy......... 😉

[176champion]

I just replaced my whole steering system 2 years ago with cable steering and the cables that i replaced where originals and the boat is a 1989 year model, so cables do last longer than 5-7 years. I have several friends that have 20 foot bassboats with 225's and 250 on them and they have cable steering.

[fishinwrench]

4 minutes ago, 176champion said:

I just replaced my whole steering system 2 years ago with cable steering and the cables that i replaced where originals and the boat is a 1989 year model, so cables do last longer than 5-7 years. I have several friends that have 20 foot bassboats with 225's and 250 on them and they have cable steering.

Impressive!    Cables actually don't "wear out", the outer casing either rots away or the silicone lube inside them dries out and gets crusty causing them to get real stiff. 

[176champion]

The biggest problem i have seen with cable steering is the cable guide tubes at the motor gumming up inside and making steering stiff because of the grease. I took a can of brake clean and gun cleaning brush to my tubes before installing new No feed back steering system, the reason i put new system in was because the teeth on the  rack was wore out and sharp like razor blades.

[fishinwrench]

This thread has possibly saved at least one life so far.   This one was brought by for an inspection of the steering system and lookie here...No nut at all !!!! 

The installer/rigger (a Bennington tri-toon dealer employee) must have been stoned or having a fight with his girlfriend.  Shame Shame!   😤

[*T*]

I’ll keep eyes open for steering system issues but Seastar hydraulic on my boat is 20 years old with only one small top-off of fluid.  Thanks for warning though. 

[tracman86]

5 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

This thread has possibly saved at least one life so far.   This one was brought by for an inspection of the steering system and lookie here...No nut at all !!!! 

The installer/rigger (a Bennington tri-toon dealer employee) must have been stoned or having a fight with his girlfriend.  Shame Shame!   😤

Well I for one am very happy to see this. I can not believe these 200 and 250 and even bigger engines are attached to the steering system with one bolt that has a locknut on it. Something has to change how is this not a bigger problem. I am so glad that he asked you to inspect it. This is what mine looked like shortly before the accident.