HILL MARINE STAINLESS GIMBAL

[chrisG]

I JUST SAW A HILL MARINE STAINLESS GIMBAL ON E-BAY FOR THE BRAVO DRIVE. IT SAYS YOU CAN USE THE STOCK TRIM SENDERS UNLIKE THE HP MERCRUISER GIMBAL WHICH YOU MUST CONVERT OVER TO MECHANICAL INDICATORS. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY INFO. ABOUT THIS GIMBAL? I AM RUNNING A PROCHARGED 454 MAG. WITH A STERN JACK ON MY 253 AND I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE STOCK GIMBAL GOING. THE HYDRAULIC STEERING IS ON THE WAY SOON BUT I CAN'T AFFORD AN XR DRIVE AT THIS TIME SO I AM HOPING THIS MIGHT BE THE TICKET TO GET ME BY FOR NOW. THANKS.

[vinny p.]

I have never seen a Hill gimbal. Most everyone uses either Imco or Merc. I wouldnt let the ability of using stock trim sensors sway your decision. At best, they suck anyway. Mechanical indicators are the way to go.

I am a bit confused. In your post, you said...

THE HYDRAULIC STEERING IS ON THE WAY SOON BUT I CAN'T AFFORD AN XR DRIVE AT THIS TIME SO I AM HOPING THIS MIGHT BE THE TICKET TO GET ME BY FOR NOW. THANKS.

What does replacing the gimbal have to do with not having an XR drive? BTW, you should have installed full dual ram hydraulic steering on that boat before upgrading power. Stability and safety first, then add power.

[chrisG]

HEY VINNY,
I HAD HOPED TO ALREADY HAVE THE HYDRAULIC STEERING BUT SETBACKS WITH THIS PROJECT HAVE CAUSED DELAYS IN PURCHASING THE STEERING FROM IMCO. I SHOULD HAVE STARTED WITH STEERING BUT I GOT A GOOD DEAL ON THE M-1 AND STARTED THIS PROJECT A BIT BACKWARDS. I DON'T PUSH THE BOAT BEYOND IT'S STOCK LIMITATIONS REGARDING THE STEERING. THE GUYS I TALK TO IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS TELL ME THE STOCK GIMBAL RING IS THE WEAK LINK AND THAT IS WHY I WAS CURIOUS ABOUT THE HILL GIMBAL. I AM ALSO RUNNING THE LAND & SEA STERN JACK SO I AM ALSO GETTING FLACK ABOUT THAT CAUSING EXTRA STRESS ON THE GIMBAL RING. I LIKE THE STERN JACK BECAUSE IT GOT RID OF MY CHINE WALKING AND ADDED 4 MPH ON MY TOP END. I FIGURED BETWEEN THE UPGRADED GIMBAL AND THE HYDRAULIC STEERING I WOULD BE OK FOR MY APPLICATION. IF RUNNING THE STERN JACK WITH THE NEW H.P. CAUSED A SAFETY ISSUE I WOULD SELL IT IF NEED BE. THE MONEY I PAID FOR THE STERN JACK WOULD PROBABLY COVER THE COST OF ADD ON HYDRAULIC STEERING FROM IMCO ANYWAYS! THANKS. CHRIS

[happy]

I've seen alot of hp behind every day merc transom assy's.. a shield that has a sloppy swivel shaft, or steering arm are dangerous at high rpm.. and the drive will actually start ripping the gimbal ring apart.. (the natural movement back and forth of the drive) if your transom assy is in good shape (not corroded) i would spend the money on your steering system..

i dont think that the stern jack caused any safety issue... the issue started when you pro charge.. 'd and steering should have been upgraded along with the engine.

be careful out there... a blower moter, and speed come together as one with the driver... and pushing the limits is common nature.. its going to be hard to hold back the white knuckle syndrom (yes we all have it) and keep that boat under 70 and outta boost until your steering issue is resolved.

[chrisG]

I'M WORKING ON THE STEERING AS I TYPE. THE TRANSOM ASSY. IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE. THIS BOAT DID NOT SEE MUCH SALT WATER BEFORE I GOT IT. I HAVE BEEN VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT MY SPEED AND HAVE NOT GONE OVER 69 M.P.H. EVEN THOUGH IT IS TEMPTING HAVING SO MUCH POWER LEFT TO GO. ALL THE BUGS I HAVE RUN INTO (BAD COUPLER,CARB ISSUES,FOULED PLUGS,ETC.) HAVE ALSO KEPT ME IN CHECK. I'M AFRAID OF BREAKING SOMETHING ELSE. LOL. IT'S BEEN AN EXPENSIVE SEASON ALREADY. THANKS.