26X steering system. No feedback option?

[Hideaway]

I hace a 2002 26X and the steering is very loose and getting difficult to turn. I am looking to replace the rack and pinion steering controls, but I am wondering about the no feed back option. Does anyone have any info on this alternitive choice.

[bartmac]

Money....hydraulic steering

[bradhill]

I replaced the stock steering on my 1996 several years ago with a no feedback system. I have had no problems with it, although it is not rack & pinion as the later models had. The wheel will stay in one position until moved by the operator. My , of course, drifts in direction depending on the wind and water conditions as well as the slop in my rudders.

The advantage is not needing to use a bungee to hold the wheel when you need to go below.

[Hamin' X]

Just my two cents worth, but I find that the feedback on the helm helps me "ride-the-edge" when beating. Similar to driving on ice, or drifting a corner on the dirt track, you can hold the wheel to make the most progress to windward. Or, maybe it's just my imagination.

~Rich

[bartmac]

Yes missed that bit.....you do want some feedback.....sailing ,motorbike riding,car driving (ho no officer I was not speeding) etc etc

[mastreb]

You can use a BayStar hydraulic system on a Mac that only costs $499 complete. Crikey did an install--search for his thread.

[Crikey]

You can use a BayStar hydraulic system on a Mac that only costs $499 complete. Crikey did an install--search for his thread.

At present, I get very little feedback from my hydraulic system. While the steering input effort is noticeably reduced when I engage the BWY engine disconnect, it still is 'set and forget' due to the check valves present in the wheel helm. I don't have a big problem with this as it lets me focus on balancing the sails for neutral rudder position (almost) and reducing heel if the Admiral is having an angle issue that day.
My system will go to an auto-pilot by next year which will further preclude the presence of feedback when it is in operation. Having said all this, my understanding is that it is still possible to remove the check valves for full rudder feedback operation. However, a talk with a Teleflex representative at last winters Toronto Boat show revealed that it is necessary on hydraulic pump systems in order to operate properly. I'm thinking an external check valve with a bypass valve can give me the best of both worlds (a much earlier mod post that I can't locate anymore, mentioned this). And if I remember correctly, was a cheap device. The best feedback device of all, remains a tiller!
Ross

[vkmaynard]

We replaced our DefctiveMar unit and three others with the Teleflex SS141-10. Great unit very smooth and no problems for the last 7 years.

You really want feedback when hand steering IMHO. It helps to feel what the boat is doing. Obviously you don't need feedback with an autopilot.

Victor

[Hideaway]

Thanks for the replies. There seems to be a lot of yea and nay for the no feed back steering system. At present my steering is so tight that on a normal day of sailing with light air, I can set the wheel and it stays put until I move it again. Much I guess like no feed back. So I am currently looking for a rack and pinion no feedback system with a 10 foot cable, that will adapt to my

[trdprotruck]

Thanks for the replies. There seems to be a lot of yea and nay for the no feed back steering system. At present my steering is so tight that on a normal day of sailing with light air, I can set the wheel and it stays put until I move it again. Much I guess like no feed back. So I am currently looking for a rack and pinion no feedback system with a 10 foot cable, that will adapt to my

I think rack and pinion by design will give you feedback. if you really want no feedback, you need to go to a rotary powerboat steering like the Uflex Accura steering. It will fit on the X, but requires a larger hole in the pedestal.