Hydraulic steering?

[Bosun Higgs]

I would be interested to hear from anyone that has changed from cable to hydraulic. What are the respective advantages and disadvantages?

I've done the opposite. I once owned a Prout cat with hydraulic steering - its common for cats to have hydraulics because installation of a rod or wire system would be difficult.

I agree with most of the points that Snowleopard makes. The hydraulic is very handy when tacking, for example, because the anti feedback valves mean you can just leave the wheel hard over and it stays there whilst you do the sheets. But the corollary is that the anti feedback valves do prevent any real helm feedback and take all the fun out of helming.

But then I guess that depends on what sort of sailor you are and what sort of boat you sail. If you sail a floating caravan ( and thats what most cats are) then you may well be happy to go everywhere on autohelm. And I'm not being rude in saying that _ I would instantly go back to a cat if I was going liveaboard or long term cruising. Nothing like them. But for weekend sailing and the odd annual cruise I want a boat that I enjoy helming. I dont sail to get somewhere - cars and planes are far more effective. I sail for the fun of helming a boat and hydraulic steering kills that IMO.

I also had a problem with the wheel pilot which needed something faster than 4 turns lock to lock. Some pilots have problems with cats anyway since cats are directionally more stable than modern fin keel monos, but thats a different story.

 

[joha]

Te ram pushes & pulls, it doesn't turn. To produce a rotary motion requires a crank, usually in the form of a short but massive tiller arm attached to the stock and the ram on a pivot on the other end.

Like this...

Ah it becomes clearer!

Thanks Snowleopard!