Will a Hydraulic Steering System...

[SP2]

stop the feedback from the rudders that we get at the moment from a morse cable?

Asked elsewhere and no one has answered so I've come to the experts.

 

[Talbot]

hydraulic does reduce the feedback. However, the morse system should not give much feedback either, so perhaps something is wrong with your existing system.

 

[Kawasaki]

Talbots about right.
Gone from a hydraulic (Mobo) to Morse one. Like the Morse a lot better.

 

[penfold]

Yes.

Some single station hydraulic systems allow a little feedback, but most don't. AFAIK all multistation systems(more than one steering position) have no feedback for obvious reasons.

cheers,
David

 

[johna]

Check what type of valve block you have on the pump. On the Lecombe & Schmitt system I fitted I was able to change the valve block. This enabled the cylinder to backfeed pressure to the pump evidenced by movement of the wheel when moving the rudder by hand.

 

[timchapman]

I changed from a Whitlock solid rod steering system, (so called 'Rolls Royce' of steering) to hydraulic. the feeback increased dramtically, (whitlock was old).

When you fit hyrdraulic steering don't fit a system with automatic check valves, it should all be open. You can fit a manual valve for autopilot use. You will get loads of feedback. You will also have a virtually maintenance free steering system which does not impose great shock loads on the autopilot. Vetus sell everything you need.

 

[Birdseye]

Yes, the vetus pump on our Prout prevented any feedback at all. This had some advantages - for example you could turn the wheel to tack leaving the helm over whist you tended the sheets. But it also had the disadvantage that it took any fun out of helming and made it almost impossible to "find the groove".

The pump contaioned anti feedback valves because most hydraulic systems seem to be designed for tart traps. Presumably you could get one without the valves and then get feedback like you do in car steering.

 

[boatmike]

Got it in one there Birdseye! I have probably got one of the only whitlock cable steering systems on a Snowgoose ever for this reason! But then I built her myself. Hydraulic systems can indeed be designed to give feedback though as the mechanical advantage should be the same with either cable or hydraulics, its the fact that most rotary wheel pumps are just not designed to be driven. Car steering is not a good example however as that is a power assisted mechanical drive. I once built a motor sailor with a rack and pinion driving a linear pump. That was excellent and gave total feedback but expensive. Most hydraulic systems are designed to be the cheapest option rather than the best though. Prouts a good example....

 

[SP2]

The system has been checked - all fine. Looks like we can retain some if we set up the hydraulic system properly - sounds like a chat to Vetus at SIBS.

Thanks as usual to the combined expertise - very interesting