Hey Vinny, I hope you're Happy!!!

[lt133]

Took the plunge today and went for the Full Hydraulic Steering from Hardin. ( I know your opinion and you're absolutely right, the full system is the only way to go! ) Not to knock any other system but it seemed to be the best deal out there. Full system including all components and braided lines ($400-$500 upgrade on Imco systems) for $2,200.00. Only problem I have is my midline cannot be more than 17 inches. (K-Planes in the way) Guy from Hardin mentioned a 21 inch midline which at the time I thought was not going to be a problem. After finally getting to the boat I discovered I only have room for 17 inches. And of course I can't get a hold of anyone from Hardin now and probably not until Monday. If they don't have a ram to accomodate the 17 inches do you think it's possible to just use an Imco or other ram that has the proper dimensions? I know I need to talk to Hardin but I'm an impatient s.o.b. and this is going to kill me waiting until Monday. The mention of 21 inches from Hardin doesn't make sense to me now that I think about it. Most of Imco's midline measurements are in the 9 3/4 to 11 1/4 inch (I think?) midline range.

 

[bigsbetter]

I know how it is not being able to wait. I'm the same way! So I'll give you what I know. I know that when you have clearance issues with the ram, there's a few different ways to go about getting a different ram in there. It's not only a shorter ram (which is a draw back because it makes you not be able to turn as sharp) but they have some different hardware/riggings that go onto your outdrive to regain some of the steering lose from using the shorter ram. You know what the bottom line is....you need to get a hold of whoever you bought it from, hopefully before they ship it out!...Anyway..I'm sure Vinny will be happy...He likes it when people spend money! Good choice.

 

[lt133]

Thanks. They didn't plan on shipping the components until next Wednesday so it really isn't a problem. Just angry at myself for pulling the trigger and going for it and not asking the right questions when I should have. Still a little puzzled by the fact that Imco's setup uses an 11 1/4 " midline measurement on thier ram and Hardin quoted me 21", almost twice"! Probably not going to be an issue once I get the right answers, I hope! I see you have an 88 Convincor. What are you running for power/props/speed? I've owned this boat since '01 and have been extremely pleased with it. I have had it repainted, new graphics in paint, new interior, new gauges etc. Blew the engine last fall so the upgrade in power was more a necessity than a wish list item. Old motor was a 454 (crate motor?) which I thought was pushing more HP than it actually was. Never tore the motor apart until it blew. Looks like the old motor was probably a 330 hp crate. Accessories made it look meaner than it was (Gil manifolds/exhaust, Edlebrock intake, Holley 800, Merc K-Planes etc.) Live and learn. Boat used to run 60-62 consistently at 4800rpm gps, best days 64. (23 pitch Mirage Plus). Boat has an awful porpoise problem 30-45mph, severity depended on fuel load. K-Planes/trim would eliminate it but scrubbed speed. New 502 going in in 3 weeks, should be about 510-520hp. looking to run a Bravo 1 26 and looking to be around 70 and improve midrange, fuel and porpoising problem. Not the fastest but at least respectable and fun. Everyone on the lake keeps telling me about the two '03 Baja 25 Outlaws that run 72-76 on stock 502mpi's smoking me any day of the week. I just don't think so. Numbers don't add up. Enough rambling. Thanks for reply.

Bob

 

[vinny p.]

. Everyone on the lake keeps telling me about the two '03 Baja 25 Outlaws that run 72-76 on stock 502mpi's smoking me any day of the week.
Bob

The only way to get a stock 502 powered Baja yo run an honest 72 mph is to drop it off a cliff!! No way is that possible.

Anyway, I dont know the answer to your steering dilemma. I am sure tha Hardin has a trick for you. If not, there is always Imco. Do you have enough access under the dash to mount the new helm? It will be tight for sure. Mine has more room than yours and it was still a knuckle buster.

BTW, welcome to the club.. Its only money.

 

[lt133]

I'm not so sure this is a club I can afford!! Anyway, starting to get excited with the upcoming season. Buddy of mine has an '88 28 Convincor (same guy you chatted w/on OSO about dropping 525 in his Convincor "Blackmate") in which he installed a Latham full system, same issue with no room under the dash. I have had my panels out so many times in the last 2 years I don't think I'll have any problems getting the helm components to fit. I've already modified about 50% of the crap under there just getting the stereo system components in there (whole other story). I'll give you credit though, for someone I've never met you've convinced me to part with a substantial amount of my hard earned money!!! Something I've wanted to do anyway, I just need someone to blame! Thanks for all your help so far....all the plumbing and fuel pump parts have been ordered (yes, Aeromotive) and I should be good to go. I'm going to get this steering thing straightened out, install what I can and then get the boat to NH to get the motor in. Hopefully all will go well and I should be good to go by mid April.

 

[bigsbetter]

I'm running a Stock Gen V Marine long block with stock internals. I've installed a Weiand 177 supercharger. New this year is the half hydraulic steering system (Hardin) and CMI headers. I'll be finishing up the headers tomarrow ...,after doing some side jobs first . When mine was stock, I was running a 23 Mirage @ around 4400-4500 rpm @ around 55mph, About same speed with a 23 Hydro. but a little less rpm. Currently I'm running a 26 Bravo 1 @ about 44-4500 rpm and about 68 mph. I just got a 26 Hydro that I'm anxious to try. I've got so many new things to try this year...I'm probably going out this Sunday for the first time for some test and tune. ( It's going to be cold changing that prop in that cold water!)...Anyway, when I first got my boat last year, I joined this site to figure out how to solve my porpoiseing problem. (if you do a search under all the threads that I have started, you'll find it.) I was so upset with the porpoising, I was going to sell the boat. I didn't have the 'feeling' I needed...wanted for the boat. But I didn't sell it, and I am sure glad I didn't. I've come to have the affection for it that we all should have for our own boats. As far as the porpoising, It just took ST, (seat time). I can drive it as smooth as silk with the bow out of the water now at cruising speed.

 

[vinny p.]

Bob,

I guess I can add your wife to the list of wives who hate me. Luckily, you guys dont live near me, or I may be afraid to leave the house. If its any consolation, my wife doesnt like me either.

You wont be dissappointed with the Aeromotive stuff. Let me know if I can be of any help with the set up.

 

[lt133]

Not a threat Vinny, but I only live about 4-5 hours away and I've been tracking people down my entire career!!!! Seriously, thanks for your help. If and when the wife figures out what I'm doing, I'll just explain it's for the safety of her and our children!!

 

[vinny p.]

Not a threat Vinny, but I only live about 4-5 hours away and I've been tracking people down my entire career!!!! !

I guess I had better lock my doors then..

 

[lt133]

Bigsbetter,

If I read your post right, you went with the Hardin add-on hydraulic system? That's exactly what I was looking at. Entire set up was $1295.00 which seemed to be an excellent deal. The helm unit to upgrade to full hydraulic was about $1500-$1600. After thinking about it...$2,200 now seemed a lot better than $2,800-$3,200 next year for the full system!!! You happy with the Hardin system/support/sales?

 

[lt133]

By the way, the only pic I've seen is your Avatar. looks like the white/black/red conventional color scheme form the late 80's. my buddy has an 88 28 convincor with the same color scheme.... beautiful, classic looking checkmate, your's looks like a real sweet boat!

 

[bigsbetter]

Thank you. Yes, it's all original. I haven't been able to try out my steering yet. I just started it yesterday for the first time this year. CpPerformance was running a deal on the half system for 995.00 ,so I went with that since that's what I could afford at the time. Installation was so simple,except the hydraulic lines must be loaded a different way or something, because after it was running for a while, I started to cycle the wheel back and forth to bleed the new system and everything was working good untill I was a full lock one way and a pressure line (an original from the original steering on the boat not a new line from the kit)rubbed onto the trim unit and cut it through. I never touched this prussure line during the install but once I put pressure on it during the full lock position it must have flexed more than before and went towards the sharp edge on the trim unit bracket.

 

[lt133]

I'm assuming the rams are probably the same with your system and the full system. If you get a chance could you get me a midline measurement and/or ram measurement from your setup?

 

[bigsbetter]

From the centerline of the outdrive to the farthest edge of the bracket where the ram mounts to the transome, it is 22.5 inches. My hydraulic ram in the 'straight ahead' position is about 25 inches long. I'm looking at the instructions they sent me with the kit and for the 'space saver' model, the bracket that bolts to the transome will mount 15 inches from the outdrive's centerline.

 

[lt133]

Thank you. The "spacesaver" measurements will work for me. Now I feel better.

 

[lt133]

Talked with Hardin today. Only adjustment will be to use a wingplate on the drive, will shorten up the midline measurement to 15 1/2 " and everything should work perfect, I hope.