Seattle Barrelback progress

[mickfly]

I have a mobile boat mechanic (for my other power boat). He recommended hydraulic steering. I like the apparent simplicity, but the price tag is rather steep (~$600). Any forum members used hydraulic or have a recommendation?

[Bill Edmundson]

Mickfly

I have hydraulic on the Bartender. My choice was based on it taking less room in the engine well. It does work well. You do need a round, multi-spoke steering wheel. They creep around over time. I have Tele-Flex on the Tahoe and it works well.

Bill

[hoodman]

There's nothing "wrong" with a good no-feedback cable steering system. I'm really happy with the SeaStar (teleflex) system on my boat. The way no-feedback works on a cable system is by locking out the steering loads when you are not actively moving the wheel. You feel the steering loads as you turn the wheel and when you let go the wheel stays where it is. The more turns lock to lock the more mechanical advantage you will have when turning the wheel.

[mickfly]

Thanks guys. Appreciate the input. I'll look into the Teleflex.
Sorry for "high-jacking" your page, Robert!

[RobertCugini]

No problem I appreciate the discussion. Will soon be making the decision. I have the CC steering box, but I may use something else.

[RobertCugini]

I looked it up today, almost exactly 8 years to get this far. Guess I’m kinda slow...

[Bob Perkins]

Looking good -
I remember it going much faster after completing the finish work
(not my favorite part at all)
Great milestone!

[vupilot]

Beauty. Looks like this year might be the year!

[PeterG]

Ohh, that looks great! 8 years, like fine wine, you have a classic.

[RobertCugini]

Painting the interior, I'm using Sandusky's Chris Craft bilge paint, Its a lot of brush work... I'm doing two coats a section or two at a time.
I've also finished cutting out the floorboards and am finishing them with 3 coats of CPES, two coats of epoxy primer and two coats of bilge paint.
Lots of uncomfortable positions, but I can see all my building from the inside!

[RobertCugini]

[mickfly]

Looks nice. Does the Sandusky require sanding between coats? ...or can you recoat within a certain time frame and get a "chemical" bond.
I'm asking...well you know why I'm asking...I have already put two coats of epoxy over all, sanding between coats.

Mick

[RobertCugini]

I sanded the epoxy primer with a foam block and then wiped it down with actone. I did not sand the between the two coats of bildge paint, but I did apply them withing 24 hours.

RC

[Bob Perkins]

ahh the fun of crawling around inside the boat with no place to go

I clearly remember curling into a ball behind my dashboard for a day as I got all of the wiring in place..
and I tend to hit my head a lot..

Looking good!

[Bill Edmundson]

Robert

I'm in pain just looking at the picture!

Bill