NFB or not to NFB, that is the question... (steering)

[fishrdan]

I need a steering system for my 18' Crestliner with a 140HP Mercruiser and tossing around the idea of going with NFB rotary steering. I read the pro's and con's and think I might not like how NFB reacts. I troll a lot with constant adjustments to the boat's heading (left, right, left, right...) and think that the "break loose" pressure might be annoying.

My old boat had standard rack steering and the only times I didn't like the feel was while coming up on plane and fighting torque steer or when I'd let go of the wheel idling and the boat turn left. I do admit that it was very annoying when I had a fish on,,, was grabbing for a rod,,, and the boat was steering off course.

A few questions;
- how hard is it to overcome the NFB steering lock?
- would it annoy you to make heading changes every 30 seconds with a NFB system.
- when would you prefer standard steering over NFB?

Thanks,
Dan

 

[5150abf]

Re: NFB or not to NFB, that is the question... (steering)

Had it on mine for years and love it,replaced a rack and pinion by the way.

I read the thread you are talking about and I think he was just extra sensitive to it.

I think you will like it and it shouldn't be a problem making alot oof coarse corrections.

There is a small effort to turn the wheel but no more than any other boat I have driven, including one with hydraulic steering.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: NFB or not to NFB, that is the question... (steering)

I have it on my walleye boat and it is a great system. If you tend to "yank" the wheel rather than simply guide the boat you will feel a slight resistance at initial movement. But a gentle hand on the helm makes the break almost seamless. And at speed, torque steer is totally eliminated. This is a "no brainer".

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: NFB or not to NFB, that is the question... (steering)

no brainer, NFB.

 

[jevery]

Re: NFB or not to NFB, that is the question... (steering)

I sure didn?t like it on a new Crestliner I had. True, the NFB system will not change course with hands off, but neither did my previous boat with standard rack and pinion at a steady speed ? only if accelerating. It had a definite sticky feel like the cable needed lubrication, but once a turn was initiated it was about the same as standard. My Wife also complained and she was unable to turn the wheel left when under acceleration. I tend to be a relaxed one handed driver, but the NFB steering made me feel like I needed two hands on the wheel at all times. I took it in to have it checked, and dealer told me the feel was normal. The radius of the two main bends in the cable didn?t look too small. I dunno, I might have had an unusually stiff unit, but it was a new unit on a new boat. My next new boat came with Seastar hydraulic. No comparison between the two. I?d at least go to a showroom and compare the feel of an NFB system compared to hydraulic before buying.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: NFB or not to NFB, that is the question... (steering)

Thanks guys,

Now I have an excuse to go down to BPS and play with the new boats