external steering fitting location

[blackboat]

Has anyone brought their thru hull fittings out between the cylinders in a center location rather than coming out next to where the cylinders attach? Hull thickness is about 3 inches where cylinders attach and 1/2 " solid fiberglass at the center point over drive. I like the idea of not drilling through the wood core to aleviate any future possible water entry problems. Plus having all 4 thru hulls together may hook up to cylinders and make a neater hose routing outside boat.
I think I have seen pictures of few boats done this way. Any suggestions or pics would be appreciated!

[zelatore]

I can't really picture doing that. It seem like putting the hose fittings above the drive would make for some very long hose runs to the cylinders.

I don't see any reason you can't do it. I suppose in theory you'd have some hose flex that might soften the steering feel, but in reality I wouldn't expect that to be noticeable. If it was, I guess you could go with braided s/s hose.

[blackboat]

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Zelatore

I am not sure I understand what you mean by hose flex softening the feel and the difference between using stainless braided line or aeroquip black hydraulic hose.
could you please expand on this a little?

Thanks
Blackboat

[zelatore]

I could be way off base here; I was just thinking out-loud when I wrote that.

I was thinking in terms of brakes. On a bike or car, one of the first things you do to upgrade your brakes is change out the stock rubber brake lines for braided s/s. The rubber lines can 'swell' slightly under heavy brake pressure, giving a softer feel at the peddle. A longer line would naturally exaggerate that.

I don't know if there's enough pressure in a hyd. steering system to cause that same effect, but if there were the longer lines needed to reach to the center of the transom could make a change in the feel at the wheel.

Actually, now that I think about it I'm probably way off base here. After all, most aftermarket hyd. steering systems are all rubber lines anyway; at least mine was. In that case, I can't imagine a extra 12-18" of line would make any difference.

Carry on...

[gcarter]

My TR originally had centrally located bulkhead fittings.....but no more. They're now close to the cylinders.
I still have the original polished long bulkhead fittings and they're available if you'd need them.

[rvander68]

Is this what you might be talking about??

[gcarter]

More like this;

[blackboat]

Thanks guys that was exactly what I was looking for,looking at options for going either way,at the cylinders or from the center.
It seems like hose routing is neater at the cylinders both inside and out.
Thanks again!

[rvander68]

I agree routing seems neater at the cylinders. Post some pictures when your done.

[gcarter]

Here's a couple of shots inside and outside of the TRl

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[Carl C]

My Zeiger:

[Pismo]

Anywhere that is well above the waterline...

[osur866]

How I did mine on my 18

[blackboat]

Ordered Aeroquip 2651-6 hose and fittings and should be ready for fabrication and installation by weekend.
Thanks to Carl,GCarter, rvander,osur866,and zelatore for taking the time to post photos which helped with making up my mind with rigging options.