TomCat Owners...Liquid tie bar

Molly Brown · Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2020 8:07 am Post subject: TomCat Owners...Liquid tie bar

Took delivery of my new Suzuki 90"s and first order of business is to reinstall the steering system. The old Honda set up was with a tie bar 65" long. First issue is that the Suzi steering bracket is farther back on the motor than the old H, and has a different hole pattern.
Seastar does not have a steering bracket that will work and looking online the longest bracket I find is 7 and 5/8 long. Due to the dive platform I need at least 9".

I presented Betty with 2 options. Have custom brackets made or, like the Seastar rep suggested, go with a twinn cylinder, liquid tie bar set up. Presented with the estimated costs of each her response was to go with the liquid tie bar, and, replace the main hydraulic lines and helm too. She's a great gal! (All original equipment still in place since inservice date of July 2002)

Before I decide i'm interested in how many owners have a liquid tie bar set up, and what pitfalls, do different or details to be aware of going this route. I didn't mention other models because under 36" there many more options for a mechanical solution. Also, with my old set up those long brackets and 5+foot SS bar needed plenty of clearance in the splahwell and in certain situations really pinched all the tubing and wiring if I wasn't careful.

Advice appreciated,
James

thataway · Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2020 11:55 am Post subject:

James,
All of the Tom Cat 255's come with the "Liquid Tie Bar" as far as I know. We didn't have any problems. Just have to set the toe in correctly.

Molly Brown · Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2020 10:35 am Post subject:

Short and sweet Bob, thanks! Looks like i'll be joining the 21st century Very Happy

Stay safe and hope you and all the other gulf coast brats weather the storm with minimal trouble.

James

starcrafttom · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2020 2:34 pm Post subject:

cat would be great with a joystick steer system were each motor turns and shifts indepently . allows the computer to walk the boat in to the slip sideways, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_8fLy7W61c

BTDT · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2020 11:01 am Post subject:

Over 2500 hours on the Honda 150's and the liquid tie bar is still working well. If the motors get out of alignment I simply raise the motors and turn them to one side. I then rotate the alignment valve and the both engines align back up and I turn the valve back to its original position. This is very rare and normally happens only when I have a steering issue and air gets into the system. Since rebuilding my rear steering servos I have had zero problems.

Molly Brown · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2020 11:25 am Post subject:

John, when you say servos I think electrical. Are you talking about the hydraulic cylinders that bolt up to the engine?
I've been reading all the instructions and the liquid tiebar alignment process seems pretty straightforward and easy to do.

James

BTDT · Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2020 8:12 am Post subject:

Yes, I should have used the term "steering cylinder" versus servo