There's a Macgregor 26x posted on E bay UK described as having Hydraulic Steering, I know I'm a relative newbie to Macgregors but I've never heard of this. Could anyone explain how it works? Is it worth installing?
Phil UK
Hydraulic Steering ?
-
phil kelly
- Chief Steward
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2007 5:49 am
- Location: Manchester UK
-
RickJ
- First Officer
- Posts: 292
- Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 2:39 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 19
- Location: Isle of Wight, UK - '94 19 + Tohatsu MFS30
It basically means instead of a mechanical cable between the helm and the rudders, the helm operates a hydraulic pump, which is connected by a pipe to an actuator mounted close to the rudders.
Advantages are a smoother action, and you are less constrained about where the piping is routed v. the cable. If done well this should avoid the intrusion of the steering cable into the aft bunk space. Disadvantage is that it's a lot more expensive than cable steering, but this guy seems to have been happy to spend a lot on the boat.
At £20k it's expensive for an
, but with the level of equipment listed, and if in top condition, it might be worth it. Personally I wouldn't pay that much for one (mine cost me half that 
).
Cheers, Rick
Advantages are a smoother action, and you are less constrained about where the piping is routed v. the cable. If done well this should avoid the intrusion of the steering cable into the aft bunk space. Disadvantage is that it's a lot more expensive than cable steering, but this guy seems to have been happy to spend a lot on the boat.
At £20k it's expensive for an
, but with the level of equipment listed, and if in top condition, it might be worth it. Personally I wouldn't pay that much for one (mine cost me half that ).Cheers, Rick
-
argonaut
- Captain
- Posts: 531
- Joined: Sun Oct 24, 2004 8:23 pm
- Location: '97 26X, Yammy 40 4s, Central Fla.
No way I'd want hydraulic steering.
Pros:
stiff ...(that's good maybe on a big powerboat where you don't want any force feedback.)
Cons:
Less direct steering feedback. A less sensitive feel of what the rudders are doing. I want to feel the forces acting on the rudders.
More complex. 26X and M models essentially use cable steering. I don't see hydraulic lines & fluid as an improvement. I want to sail , not spend the weekend bleeding my power steering or have to carry another flammable liquid on board.
JHMO.
Pros:
stiff ...(that's good maybe on a big powerboat where you don't want any force feedback.)
Cons:
Less direct steering feedback. A less sensitive feel of what the rudders are doing. I want to feel the forces acting on the rudders.
More complex. 26X and M models essentially use cable steering. I don't see hydraulic lines & fluid as an improvement. I want to sail , not spend the weekend bleeding my power steering or have to carry another flammable liquid on board.
JHMO.
-
Morimaro
- Chief Steward
- Posts: 86
- Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2004 8:23 am
- Location: Wokingham Berkshire U.K.
Hydraulic steering on a 26X
Seen a number of X's fitted with hydraulic steering, most users thought it was great (could be they are biassed!) and meant a cheaper auto steering system could also be used, ram instead of wheel motor.
Quoting an article in MacGregor Sailor "the rudders will never drive an hydraulic system so the rudders stay where you set them, which is a great help when single handed" also quotes the auto pilot is an easier fitting.
Cheers
Morris
26X99 hullaballoo, Solent UK
Quoting an article in MacGregor Sailor "the rudders will never drive an hydraulic system so the rudders stay where you set them, which is a great help when single handed" also quotes the auto pilot is an easier fitting.
Cheers
Morris
26X99 hullaballoo, Solent UK
The steering set up on the stock M is horrible, by far the worst feature of the boat. Vague heavy cable steering, sloppy connectors, undersized bendable gudgeons and rudders that have a habit of breaking. You don't realise how bad it is until you do the mods -
-Hydraulic steering
-Epoxy 'bearings' to remove slop in rudder posts
-Custom connector rod
-Ida plastic (expensive!) rudders
If the M were just a sailboat (if it was why would you buy one?) I might accept the loss of feedback argument. It is not, and any marginal loss of feel under sail is far outweighed by the improved performance under motor. In any case, the hydraulic setup lets me leave the wheel and steer with the main sheet when going to windward single handed. This give me all the feedback I need.
Hydraulic steering is simpler and more reliable than cable. I installed mine 3 years ago and haven't needed to add a drop of oil since. The oil is refined vegetable oil - you can fry your chips in it if you're short of canola!
AJ
-Hydraulic steering
-Epoxy 'bearings' to remove slop in rudder posts
-Custom connector rod
-Ida plastic (expensive!) rudders
If the M were just a sailboat (if it was why would you buy one?) I might accept the loss of feedback argument. It is not, and any marginal loss of feel under sail is far outweighed by the improved performance under motor. In any case, the hydraulic setup lets me leave the wheel and steer with the main sheet when going to windward single handed. This give me all the feedback I need.
Hydraulic steering is simpler and more reliable than cable. I installed mine 3 years ago and haven't needed to add a drop of oil since. The oil is refined vegetable oil - you can fry your chips in it if you're short of canola!
AJ