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

[BillD]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

I have the hydroslave pump run off a belt with a single ram on my 30 yb, following what everyone else has said, the steering is super easy and very responsive, 1.5 turns chock to chock. I dont have a cooler inline with the steering, and my longest trip so far has been 4 hrs of steaming, but i have never felt any warmth on my helm,i do have a pretty big resevior for it and i have 2 pumps, 1 for the steering and another bigger pump on a pitts clutch for the hauler.

 

[CEShawn]

Anyone know how expensive the solenoid block is for the autopilot?

 

[steveinak]

Anyone know how expensive the solenoid block is for the autopilot?

When i was at the hydraulic shop in Rockland he told me aprox 550 bucks. I need to get one for my pilot install also.