Benefits of hydraulic steering on a 16 angler?

zarathu

I’m not a fisherperson.

We are interested(now) in finding a 16 Angler c-dory but might spring for a new one. If we did do a new one(due to not finding anything used in New England by next spring), what would be the benefit of paying $1300 extra for hydraulic steering? I always had a tiller for the sailboats, so I don’t know anything about this.

PaulNBriannaLynn · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 12:55 pm Post subject:

The benefit is silky smooth turning back and forth. Most boats that size don't have hydraulic steering because engine size is smaller and less weight, and it increases cost considerably. Aside from cost, I don't see a down side.

I've had a number of boats that had the steering cable (the alternative to hydraulic steering). It sometimes gets stiff from not being used over the winter and you have to regrease or replace the whole cable. The grease gets bad and the steering freezes up. Not the end of the world but hydraulic prevents that hassle.

tsturm

Sea Wolf · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 6:28 pm Post subject:

Just for clarification if you are unfamiliar with cable steering:

The cable is not a wire pulley system (i.e., old school system from the 1950's), but a heavy cable surrounded by a sheath into a co-axial design that can be pushed and pulled by a rack and pinion drive mechanism on the end of the steering wheel. The other end of the cable sheath is rigidly mounted to the transom, and the cable pushes and pulls the motor back and forth to steer it. Teleflex is the most common manufacture of such devices.

You'll have to pay for one or the other to steer, so your question is really whether hydraulic steering is worth the cost differential over hydraulic.

IMHO, hydraulic is better, but I could live with either if a used boat had one or the other. (Except for really big motors or dual motor installations, where hydraulic is a much better choice.)

New? Might as well go hydraulic if you can afford it as part of the package.

BTW, a couple of advantages of hydraulic steering is that it can be easily adapted to 1.) autopilot self-steering and 2.) dual station (cockpit usually) systems, but for a 16, the second advantage wouldn't pose a real option.

Your call!

Joe. Teeth

CaptMac · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 1:59 pm Post subject: hydraulic steering

Another benefit of hydraulic steering is that you can connect an autopilot which i don't believe is possible with mechanical steering.

nordicstallion · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 4:57 pm Post subject:

My 19 had cable steering when I bought it. Switched to hydraulic with a suicide knob on the wheel. Far easier to steer. I would never go back to cable!!

dgeorges · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2018 8:56 pm Post subject:

I replaced the cable steering on my CD 16 Angler with hydraulic and the difference is amazing. Everything mentioned above, and more.

BTW: Have you found a CD16 yet? Mine is for sale and she's a beauty. Please see photo link to the left...

Cheers.

D

Alyssa Jean · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 9:14 pm Post subject:

I replaced the steering with a Baystar about 3-4 years ago. Did it myself and I think the kit was something like $400.