In response to hydraulic steering

[bob mitchell]

   Hi Mike, In the photo you show - as you might have noticed, there is a hydraulic clylinder in the background, connected to the rudder post by an arm headed aft. I have added another hydraulic station as well, but the one you see came with my boat. Beyond that cylinder and arm there are the hoses, and the pump at the wheel. If you have resonable technical ability with tools and mechanical systems (can you do the brakes on your car?, maybe even replace a clutch) then you can probably pull it off. They are, in my mind, expensive. Be sure to get a system matched to the displacement of a Newporter (14 tons).   If you are interested further I will post the original system manuel when I get home.

[Michael Baguley]

Thanks Bob, that sounds like a good system, I would be very happy to see instruction manual,   Mike.

[bob mitchell]

   hi Mike, If I were you I would definitely try the existing steering - it is a really expensive unit! However, I will try to get the manuel printed up. Not sure if the system is even still in existence. I bought another used system for the outside helmstation I built, but have not integrated the two systems yet. Google hydraulic steering and I am sure you will get an education! friend bob

[Michael Baguley]

Bob, I am a what is called a 'Millwright', that means I am a certified welder, machinist and a skilled mechanic, so the installation of such a system should pose no problem for me and I have researched  'Google' , the reason I want an inside steering position is not only comfort but as a backup for the mechanical system, once again, thank you Bob,   Mike.

[bob mitchell]

Ahh! That's a relief. I didn't want to send some boober off on a wild goose chase!!!! You are just what a newporter needs!

I don't have a printer scanner, but if you will send me a personal mesage via this site with your address I will send you a copy of the installation manuel. Also, today, I will take a couple of shots of my inside helmstation setup and post on site tonight.

When I added my hard top dodger/outside steering station I found a used hydraulic system and installed it, using the original cylinder already attached to the rudder post, but I have not integrated the two systems into one yet. (I guess you realize that a few newporters actually had the inside pilot house hydraulic steering, mine being one of them). The only problem that might come up for me is that my original system can free wheel with the tiller (or be taken off line), but my new system has to have a release valve.