hydraulic steering vs chain drive

larryeddington · Post by **larryeddington** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 9:36 pm

I have a 78 f28 and according to the manuals bob sent me it shoul have as a dual station hydraulic steering but it has mechanical via chains. Does anyone know if hydraulic was an option?

Commissionpoint · Post by **Commissionpoint** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 9:49 pm

Is it an early 1978 that you have? It was somewhere around late '77/early '78 that the chain and sprocket system was replaced. If I am not mistaken it was at the same time that the control handles went from wood to colored plastic balls. Ya win some ya lose some I guess.

I had the chain and sprocket system on the previous F-32 I had. Other than it being a bit stiffer steering due to all the mechanical connections, it was very reliable and easy to adjust/maintain.

larryeddington · Post by **larryeddington** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 9:34 am

Thanks, that answers it both the shift knobs and the steering. It is my understanding that the Hydraulic drive ones the insturment cluster is hinged at the bottom, take of wheel and it opens up. Mine you have to service through the toilet wall.

Commissionpoint · Post by **Commissionpoint** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 10:49 am

You are absolutely right Larry. Its at the same time that piano hinges started to appear on the consoles. I don't believe its cause and effect of hydraulic steering though. Rather, just another part of the 'facelift' the interiors got around this time making it easier to service components in the console, steering system included. The black ripple top formica changed to the flat woodgrain formica, and a few other minor updates occured at this time as well.

larryeddington · Post by **larryeddington** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 11:06 am

Belive it or not mine has the wood grain formica that has to go

Commissionpoint · Post by **Commissionpoint** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 11:22 am

I'm on the fence about the formica. I have the woodgrain as well, though its already been replaced in the dinette area with a nice custom maple table. The galley counters are probably a project for next winter. I'll pull it all out and see what i can replace it with that looks more modern. I really like what I have seen folks do with granite and bottom mounted sinks. I saw some polished quartzite that was also really nice.

larryeddington · Post by **larryeddington** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 11:34 am

I'm thinking black granite. I have stripeped my salon and going to use home or patio furnishings

Commissionpoint · Post by **Commissionpoint** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:00 pm

Black granite I think would be a really nice choice. You could even get a nice matching black sink.

PO on the 32 had basically patio type furniture in the salon. I told her she could keep it if she wanted it for anything. We'll see what she decides to leave me when we go uncover it in the spring. I have been looking for a 72 inch sofa with a full size sleeper bed in it for the port side salon. I'm sure it came with one, but it was probably blue or orange plaid and is long gone. I'm thinking some of these ultra suede ones that I have seen would do nicely.

Allen Sr · Post by **Allen Sr** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 7:52 pm

I would use a nice leather or high quality vinyl for the sofa just so the cloth material can't hold any odors. Plus cleaning up a spill,etc. is easier. JMO

Commissionpoint · Post by **Commissionpoint** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 8:09 pm

I was thinking of good quality vinyl too Allen. I do like the durability of the ultra suede because its polyester, which doesn't tend to absorb any more oder than your typical polyester or olefin (polypropelene) carpetings that most folks install on their boats. I'd be a little afraid of leather, wool, or other natural materials because of the tendancy to breakdown and/or rot in the moist marine environment.