Proper Hydraulic Cylinder to fit 28

[Alan_Douville]

My Autopilot and Steering Installation uses a SeaStar Hydraulic Cylinder Model BA125-7ATM. My problem is how it is installed, it limits my Hard Over Port to 20 Degrees, as the Ram Piston hits my boat. I am worried if I move this to offset the swing, i will hose up the arm. What are you guys using for Steering Cylinders and do you get full range of motion port and starboard?

[carolmarie]

My 2001 uses the same cylinder with no interference.
Don.

[Alan_Douville]

Don can you send me pictures on how it’s installed? Mine has to be wrong.

Thanks

[Tree]

I can see the issue immediately. Your door is on the opposite side. Without thinking and hurting my brain (too much) can you install the ram round the opposite way and switch round the hydraulic hoses to it?

Currently it looks like it’s fouling the live bait tank?

[Alan_Douville]

Tree I have the same obstruction on the other side as well, it's very frustrating.

[Tree]

Tree I have the same obstruction on the other side as well, it's very frustrating.

Hmmm the only other option I can think of is switching the tiller arm around 180° if you have the room and bringing the ram forward with it

[RobS]

Not a bait tank, that's the recess for the trim tabs. Not a lot of options here without screwing up the geometry...

[WillieC]

Can't you just drill a hole? Oh wait...

Seriously, how did that ever get installed? By a professional? When we bought the WillieC the PO took us out and had us run it around. We knew NOTHING about boats, but it would turn one direction very handily, not so good the other way. Must be how boats are...something to do with spinning propellers...

Some weeks (months?) later, with the boat sitting on the trailer in the yard, my adult son had me turn the wheel. Wouldn't you know the cable was sorely out of adjustment preventing the rudder from fully operating both directions. The PO, and likely the PPO, and we never stood back and just looked at it. Fixed in ten minutes, 5 of which was moving all the crap out of the aft cabin.

Maybe glass in a recess in the baitwell if other choices are too onerous?

[Alan_Douville]

I know! I am trying to think of a feasible solution here and struggling to come up with an answer that does not involve cutting a hole into my trim tab well.

[RobS]

Alan, It was only the very late 28's that had the recessed tabs so unfortunately I do not think you'll get too much as to feedback from others with the same issue. It's not good, but it has been like that for 10+ years, why now has it become something you're looking to correct?

[Alan_Douville]

Rob, I am finding that when I am fishing on Lake Michigan, in rough seas, with drift socks, I am losing Autopilot at the worse times. My autopilot is limited to +/- 20 degree swings with this limited range of motion, which is less then I need for corrective action it seems. If it was just for cruising, it's not a big deal, agreed. But for me and how I use the boat and some of the adverse conditions, I am now seeing it as a problem.

[RobS]

Understood. Yes 40 deg of total arc is tough, should be close to 90 deg. Are you getting 45 deg of rudder to starboard ?

[Alan_Douville]

I get total Arc to Starboard when piloting the boat without autopilot. The Raymarine EVO bands you out top and bottom on commissioning, so it sees my limit on port swing and bands out +/- Port and Starboard to 20 degrees.

[RobS]

How much travel are you losing, measured in inches ?

[Pitou]

I have a couple of flush decks near me, but the guys are not acive on AOG. I've sent emails and am waiting to here back.

Here are some thoughts:

1). Steering cylinders come in different ram lengths / may a previous owner swapped your ram out for something different and too long for your accommodation .. could you try a cylinder that has a shorter ram and still have reasonable steerage?

2). Marine hydraullic Engineering makes the Hydro-Slave system of components that includes a dual hydraulic steering ram. There's does not go side to side so needs much less space in that dimension, but forward and aft might be tight for your application because of the fuel tank. They might be worth speaking with.

Hydro - Slave.jpg

Hydro - Slave II.jpg

3). To Rob's question .. how much travel are you losing?