runabout steering

[rogergray]

With the hepful advice of forum contributors, I'm making good progress restoring an old 23ft triple cockpit mahogany runabout. I now need to install new steering gear, with no knowledge of the previous mechanism. I'll be installing a large petrol V8 inboard, and don't quite know if I should be going for mechanical or hydraulic steering. Any pearls of wisdom?
Thanks if you can help.

 

[burgundyben]

I should think hydraulic will be easiest to install but possibly not in keeping with the age of boat.

On my Scott Paine built boat, mid 1930's, a car steering column and box is used, from the drop link on the box a rod runs all the way aft and connects to a tiller arm, I guess in a car the box would be oriented so the drop arm goes side to side, turn it 90 degs and the drop arm goes fore/aft. Tiller arm runs a thwartaships and hey presto.

Did that make sense?

I think nicer feel and more feedback from a mechanical system, I beleive Lewmar still sell the Whitlock (Lewmar bought Whitlock) equipment, I guess hydralic is cheaper.

HTH