Power steering in a DE boat? Helm pump vs engine driven pump?

BillD

Admiral
Joined
Sep 1, 2011
Posts
8,557
Likes
4,380
Location
Portsmouth NH.. Piscataqua and Merrimack Rivers
Boat Make
27 H&H with Cummins QSB 5.9 480 power
Curious on what the "cruiser/sportfish" DE boats have for power steering in say the 30-34 foot size.

I know the lobster/hauler guys use an belt driven system such as a Hydroslave for power steering and hauler.

Are there DEs out there that use a "helm pump" for power steering?

If so what are the typical turns "lock to lock" and how "easy is it" to turn the wheel with a rim mounted ball?

Curious,

Bill D
 

hmscapecod

Deckhand
Joined
Apr 6, 2012
Posts
65
Likes
6
I have used both systems. The helm pump worked fine on a 30' South shore I ran, But was a little stiffer in a 35 duffy, and very tough to turn in a 38 H and H. Its all about rudder size and vessel speed. The resulting pressure is what your up against when you turn the steering wheel. The 30 and 35 both had Wagner steering and the 38 had Capilano.
Now on a 34 South Shore and 35 YB I ran, they both had Hydroslave Hydraulics, dual ram steering. Personally I like power steering, you can turn the boat on a dime with one finger. Depending on the engine and gear you have, a few options are to go with the pump mounted to a PTO on the reduction gear, you can belt drive off the front of the engine, or direct drive off the front of the engine.

Roses Marine in Gloucester is very helpful if you need to talk to someone.
 

CEShawn

Admiral
Joined
Sep 21, 2011
Posts
3,333
Likes
1,239
Location
Cape Cod, MA
Boat Make
Downeastless
I've played with both and have to say power steering is alot nicer... the problem sometimes comes when you have 3 stations, they just need to be done smart so you dont have any issues down the road with chafing, etc. All of my nightmares came from the 2nd and 3rd station and the way the hoses were run with no chafe protection and fittings that were not protected.

In the RP35, I love it and its almost like the boat is on rails, great for quick turning around the docks and can make the boat lean over like crazy...

I prefer direct drive rather than belt, need to look at changing that in my future. I also believe that you can drive it off some reduction gears.

Roses helped me tie alot of things together. I might have to call them shortly to tweak my autopilot as my solenoids are not working...
 

tunaorlater

Admiral
Joined
Sep 9, 2011
Posts
5,698
Likes
5,283
Boat Make
40' Northern bay
I have had both in my 2 northern bays. The power steering is definatly a nicer setup but much more expensive and complex. The helm pump works for pleasure applications well but if you are using the boat to earn a living I would not think twice about putting in the power steering. Btw my steering and hauler work on two different pumps, you will heat up the fluid to much if you try torun the steering off the large pump I believe.
 

MBILL

1st Mate
Joined
Sep 2, 2011
Posts
295
Likes
90
Location
Stuart, Fl via Long Island, NY
Boat Make
35 Duffy&Duffy
In my 35 Duffy it's dual ram power steering using a PTO off the transmission. Prior to my repower it was belt driven off the front of the engine. The new setup works great.
 

CEShawn

Admiral
Joined
Sep 21, 2011
Posts
3,333
Likes
1,239
Location
Cape Cod, MA
Boat Make
Downeastless
Bill, how much was the conversion, about $600 for the pump on the tranny or what?

Then we can start the hole heat exchanger debate as well, I'd like to have a cooler here because it gets so hot!
 

BillD

Admiral
Joined
Sep 1, 2011
Posts
8,557
Likes
4,380
Location
Portsmouth NH.. Piscataqua and Merrimack Rivers
Boat Make
27 H&H with Cummins QSB 5.9 480 power
Bill, how much was the conversion, about $600 for the pump on the tranny or what?

Then we can start the hole heat exchanger debate as well, I'd like to have a cooler here because it gets so hot!
\

Thanks for all your observations.

Let's dig into the tranny pto pump etc., cost/complexity/cooling.
How big is the reserve tank, ALL of it.

My thinking is on a "new build" the owner (at least for the non-commercial owner) would want to eliminate complexity, save the space and cost of a engine driven system.
 

WoundUpMarine

Admiral
Lite User
Joined
Jan 1, 2012
Posts
7,720
Likes
7,654
Location
Boothbay, Me
Website
www.woundupmarine.com
First Name
John
Boat Make
26' Duffy, 23' Seaway, 14' Holland
Top Bottom