Only way to go trouble free nice to drive I installed on my 6.0mtr tinny 5 years ago and wouldn’t go back to cable, cost around $2000.00 all up

Dooooooo eeeeeeeet! I finally pulled the trigger on it after this year's game season, Doh! in the few trips I have done since installation, it's soooo much easier to steer, and the fact I can let go of helm, and move around the boat is sooo handy when trolling. 

I have a commander.. and V^ 150 on the back.. cable steering.
 Not the original that bolts to the transom beside the engine well, inside the boat.
 And still with original helm

The original became stiff.. I went thru all the routes
Check out old threads a few yrs back the describes how to check helm, cable, measure for new cable, remove install etc.

Cleared build up inside cable at engine,  finally worked out the cable had a worn inner sheath.. which caused stiff and bit of excessive play..espec when the adjustable tag to counter the rotation of the prop effect on steering on the bottom of the cavitation plate was set correct at normal cruising rpms/speed.

Correct length cable that has only a nice wide elipical curves as bends ( the one going from helm,  down thru the bottom of the 'cupboard' floor, and curves around then up and down inside the gunnels.... And the other that starts up under the gunnels, about where the end of the trim, shelve hole ends, gently into the side of the engine well.

The new style cables do not get mounted like the orginal.
 They go thru the steering sleeve and the lever shaft, (will have to buy one or a 2nd hand one) get bolted to the closest bolt to the engine.

 Also you will now find that you will not get full turn because of the narrow engine well on the opposite side.  By tilting the engine up and down you can mark out a hole that is oval in shape... Which if in the correct position, one of the std oval rubber blanked grommets fit  perfectly.

Have the cavitation plate compensation tag adjusted right and you have finger light steering...
Will see if have any pic already loaded to the site that shows this soon

Edit: Sry dont.. I want to delete a lot of rubbish non informational pics  but permissions dont allow, and a list of pic names to delete sent to admin doesnt work either..

Ask any questions and welcome to come have a look if local around here.
 P.S often been asked when others are on the helm , if hydrolic...as so easy to steer, no just a cable correct length , adjusted correct, correctly installed and regularly maintained/ lubed and the tag correct.
 

I'm in the hydraulic camp, neater and tidier, never seizes, finger light steering.
I've had the same helm for i4 years at least...upgraded the ram when I fitted a bigger motor a few years ago.

Thanks very much everyone, and Steps for all the detail on the Commander. Ours is probably quite old and could be improved as-is, but when spending all that money for a new engine it sounds like a little extra for hydraulic steering might be worth it. Cheers.

Has any one had any problem with hydraulic steering making a bit of a crackling noise when you first launch boat.noticed mine doing it last few times out.seems to come right once every thing warms up.some one said it could be air in the system.

Thanks Matt.
Noticed last night when checking for rat damage the hose that goes onto hydraulic pump had a very small drip of fluid coming out around the stainless crimp fitting where hose attaches to pump.Boat needs a service after the game fishing season so will take it to tasman marine for a birthday.

My hydraulic steering is a small pump driven by turning the steering wheel, no electrickery required. This is a normal hydraulic steering but there may be electric systems used on bigger boats??

How many. cable or other wise adjust the fin undet the capitation plate to compensate for the prop twist in the steering at cruise speed...?
 Or even know about that?
Its best described as wheel alignment in a car, bit of combo of toe and caster..
 Caster is how light or heavy the steering is , toe is travel in straight line without pulling on the wheel.
 Get that right.. and it is very sensitive that little fin.. and even a old commander with 150 V6 on the back becomes finger light steering..

Side note: your ute. car  little light 'wandery ' on the road get them to take the caster out to max spec... or would like to make lighter, get them to bring caste back in a little. You will often find on road reports of a model, eg ssangyung utes (maybe cars as well) all mention wandery) set the caster out a bit.. fixed. Same with vintage/ classic cars designed for cross plys and run radials.. except these also mean camber changes .

Yep you can set the 'wheel alignment' in a boat to stop pulling one side and / or how heavy it is to steer.
 At cruise can you take your hand off the helm and still run a straight line?

davidc wrote: DIY wrote: My hydraulic steering is a small pump driven by turning the steering wheel, no electrickery required. This is a normal hydraulic steering but there may be electric systems used on bigger boats?? Thanks DIY and Kandrew. How does this pump result in more power to turn the engine than just turning the engine via cable without hydraulics? I haven't figured out where the magic extra power comes from :-)

Try reading this, I hope it makes sense.

https://seaknights.com/hydraulic-boat-steering-kits-work/