Planetary gear : Three or more gears that mesh with a drum to move the cable. This type has many wear points and more wheel play than reduction gear helms. Steering Cable System Maintenance on a Boat Keeping steering cable in good working order is important. Following the tips below will ensure that the steering cables will work smoothly and will not seize or corrode: Regularly inspect the steering cable and connections.
Periodically clean and lubricate grease cable fittings and supports. Use a marine-grade, lithium-based grease. When storing a boat for extended periods, remove the steering cable connection to the engine and thoroughly clean and lubricate. No Feedback Steering on a Boat Relatively new technology has been developed to eliminate engine torque feedback at the helm.
What is Helm Fatigue The significant torque generated by engines creates a load on the steering system that must be continually controlled by the operator, even when the boat is headed straight.
Previous Different Kinds of Boat Covers. Browse Trip Categories. Real reviews from happy GetMyBoaters. Popular Destinations Miami Lake Lanier. Lake Tahoe San Diego. Lake Travis Newport Beach. There are two types of rotary helms, with different applications, strengths and weaknesses.
Reduction gear type: One or more gears mesh with the steering drum to move the helical core of the steering cable. This original rotary design which include the Big-T and Safe-T helms is still best in terms of strength and efficiency, since there are usually only two gears. These helms have the drawback of requiring a fairly large round assembly behind the dash, since the steering shaft is located outside the cable drum, so they often cannot be installed in smaller, more crowded dashboards.
Planetary gear type: This alternative style uses three or more gears that mesh internally with the cable drum to move the core of the steering cable. They fit outboards up to V-4 size only. You can buy replacement rack helms and cables separately, or save money by ordering a mechanical steering kit from either Uflex or Seastar Solutions.
The rack and pinion helm includes a pinion gear fitted directly on the steering shaft that engages a rack gear in a tubular housing. Rack steering is the most efficient mechanical system for moving the cable, but its drawback is its width. Rack steering requires a long rack housing that cannot fit behind many dashboards.
The primary difference between a rack and pinion and rotary helm is the form factor of the helm—how it fits in the space behind the mounting surface. Rotary helms extend a few inches above and below the axis of the steering wheel, and a few inches in the opposite direction of the steering cable.
On boats with very low dashboards, rotary helms may not have enough vertical clearance. Rack and pinion helms are long rectangular boxes extending about 1' away from the direction of the cable, but they are very compact vertically.
Faster gear ratios require fewer turns, but there is heavier helm pressure to offset engine torque. Slower gear ratios 4. With traditional steering systems, the engine has a tendency to turn to the right, which the driver compensates for by keeping pressure to the left on the wheel.
Another common issue is that your steering will feel almost spongy, which is caused by air in your hydraulics. You will notice this if you are turning the steering wheel hard in either direction and the steering bounces back.
This is a sign that there is air trapped in the steering which can make it unpredictable and can cause it to fail. You will want to bleed the air from the system to avoid this bouncy steering feeling. Steering fluid is specially formulated to have a high compression strength, but air compresses rather easily since it is a gas—this causes sponginess and bounciness.
You do not want to be out on the water with unpredictable steering as this can be very dangerous. You have probably heard of play in the steering, as this can be an issue with automobiles and boats alike.
This often happens in boats when there is a leak in the steering system. You will want to follow the similar steps mentioned above in the leak section, by checking the ram for wetness and looking over hoses. If you are noticing minor play in your wheel, it could be basic hydraulics.
This style of steering almost always has some minor play. However, if you ever notice an increase in play in your steering, you will want to keep this in mind:. When you turn your wheel, your boat should react accordingly. However, this is an issue that can arise with power steering and you may notice a reduced response from your steering system. Quality hydraulic steering should be highly responsive, and your boat should show quick reaction when things are working smoothly.
This is because the hydraulic fluid itself transmits the motion from the wheel to the rudder. Once again, play in the wheel is most likely low fluids, which is most likely caused by a leak. If you are out on the water and notice increasingly bad play in the wheel, you may want to top off your fluids and get closer to land.
When you are able, follow the steps above to look for leaks, bleed the air, and replace your fluids. A final issue you may notice from your hydraulic power steering system is that your boat may begin drifting. If your boat begins to drift uncontrollably and is doing so without you changing your steering wheel or rudder, you clearly have an issue with your steering system. This is often caused through issues with the helm or the cylinder.
You will want to start repairing this issue by, you guessed it, checking for leaks in your valves and cylinder. You may need to have professional help with these issues and have both your cylinder and helm serviced. Most of the issues mentioned above will not cause your steering system to fail completely. However, they can make it challenging to use your boat and should be repaired quickly if possible. Of course, if you are out on the water when these issues show themselves, you may find yourself in a situation where your power steering fails you.
If you are in a situation where your steering fails, you will want to follow these steps to avoid getting stranded in the water:. Now you know the ins and outs of power steering when it comes to your boat.
Most of these systems use some form of hydraulics to power the steering, which does require steering fluid. You want to have these systems routinely maintained and a common issue you may notice are hydraulic leaks in your steering system.
I have been a passionate boater my whole life. There's nowhere else I'd rather be than on the water! If you're new to owning boats, you may wonder what an anchor is for and why you need one. You might even be wondering if you need an anchor for your boat at all. Having an anchor can save you if you Learning how to drive a boat can be a little intimidating, but it is a rewarding experience that you can enjoy with your family and friends.
While the physical maneuvering of a boat is most Skip to content. The main similarities and differences between these systems are: Hydraulic Steering Systems There are actually several types of steering that you can find in most boats, but perhaps the most used type of power steering is hydraulic steering. Electric Power Steering Technically, this style of steering is also a hydraulic system but does not use an engine driven pump.
You will want to look over your boat and identify these main areas of the hydraulic system: The Helm — The helm is made of a hydraulic pump and valves, with this pump being activated when the steering wheel is turned.
The helm is what takes the rotating motion of the steering wheel and converts it into a push-pull action on the cable. Essentially, this causes the rudder to move to the left of the right. The Hose — This hose is used to carry fluid from the helm into the cylinder and back. The Cylinder — The hose connects the helm to this cylinder, and it moves when the fluid is pumped from the helm.
The cylinder is made up of a ram, board cylinder, and various hardware. The Steering Wheel — This is of course a major part of the system and is what you utilize to control boat movement.
The steering wheel will have cables that connect it to the helm and ensure that your steering movements lead to boat movements. Which Form of Power Steering is Better?
Some of the best hydraulic systems you can find online are: Mophorn HP Hydraulic Outboard Steering Kit A super great kit that offers hp and contains everything that you need to steer your boat properly. Woqi Za Boat Hydraulic Steering System You can easily front mount this system and it features everything you need to work for a variety of boats, including all mounting hardware. Domestic Baystar Hydraulic Steering Kit Hka You will get everything you need to replace your steering system with this kit, including the steering fluid and all components.
Seastar Pro Hydraulic Steering Kit Seastar is a major name in the marine world and this hydraulic steering kit is made of quality materials and is extremely easy to install. How to Check Power Steering Fluid?
Most bottles have some form of directions, but I recommend following these steps: Find the right fluid for your specific boat and read over all important information. Locate the helm pump and begin by threading the filler tube into this area. Then thread the bottle of steering fluid into the other end of this filler tube. Use a sharp object or pin to poke a hole into the bottom of the bottle, and then turn it upside down.
You will essentially set up a system leading your upside-down bottle to the helm pump through the filler tube. Next, turn your steering wheel hard to the starboard side of the boat. At this time, you will want to find the starboard bleeder nipple. This is why it is important to know the parts of the steering system, as you will often find this bleeder nipple on the steering cylinder.
Now, turn the steering wheel to the port side. This will pump in the air and pump fluid out of the bleeder fitting. Common Issues with Power Steering in Boats As mentioned, the power steering in most boats is very reliable and you will often not encounter issues. However, some common boat issues you may experience and what to do if you experience them are: Fluid Leaks It is important to note one more time that steering fluid does not simply disappear and if your fluid is low there is a leak.
However, if you do notice visible fluid leaks in your hydraulics, this is a sign that you have air in your steering, and you should keep this in mind: You will want to check the shaft of the ram of your boat to see if it is wet, wiping it down if so. Give it a few seconds and if you find it is damp again, you will more than likely have a leak. If you have a leak, you may need to replace your seals and leaks can lead to unwanted corrosion, which means the seals have to be replaced and the air will need to be bled out.
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