Legendary Progress-2 It remains one of the most popular aluminum boats in the post-Soviet space, and for good reason: its rugged hull and excellent stability make it feel confident on the water even in high winds. However, the regular control system of this craft often requires modernization or overhaul, especially if you plan to use a more powerful engine or just appreciate comfort.
Modern. Steering control of the boat Progress 2 It should be accurate maneuvering and minimal force on the tiller or steering wheel. Owners often face the problem of backlashes, tight turns or corrosion of tractions, which makes operation dangerous. Proper bulkheading of this system is not just a matter of convenience, but the guarantee of your safety on the water.
In this article, we will take a look at all the nuances, from the choice between cable and hydraulic drive to the specific steps to install the gearbox and lay the cables, you will learn how to avoid typical installation errors and which components are really worth buying and what you can reasonably save without losing quality.
Types of steering gear for aluminum boats
The first thing you need to decide on the owner ProgressThe market today offers two main solutions: mechanical (the cable) and hydraulic control. Mechanics are cheaper and easier to install, but have limitations on engine power and cable length.
Hydraulics, in turn, provides perfect smoothness and the absence of backlashes, which is critically important when installing outboard motors with a capacity of more than 50 hp However, the cost of such a set can be several times higher, and maintenance requires a more qualified approach.
- 🔧 Mechanical control: suitable for motors up to 70-90 hp, requires regular lubrication and tightening of cables.
- 🌊 Hydraulic control: ideal for powerful motors, eliminates backlashes, but more expensive to buy and repair.
- ⚓ Combined systems: rare variants where mechanics are supplemented by a hydraulic damper to quench jerks.
When choosing a system, it is important to consider not only the power of the motor, but also the geometry of the transom of your boat. Steering gearbox It should be set so that the thrust runs parallel to the bottom without affecting the structural elements. Incorrect choice of the type of drive can lead to rapid wear and tear or even failure of the system at full speed.
⚠️ Attention: Installing hydraulics on a boat with a low engine power (up to 30 hp) is economically impractical and can create excessive resistance to the shifting of the steering wheel without power.
Compilation and selection of cable drive
If you choose the classic, the cable control, you have to choose the right kit. The standard set usually includes the steering mechanism itself, the steering wheel, the braided cables and a set of thrusts to connect to the engine. Progress-2 The length of the cable is usually 3 meters, but it is better to measure the distance from the place of installation of the gearbox to the transducer, taking into account all the curves.
The key element here is the quality of the cable. Cheap analogues often have a steel braid that rusts and sours over time. It is better to choose cables with a polymer coating or stainless steel, especially if the boat is often stored on water or in high humidity conditions.
Note the gear ratio of the gearbox. For light motors (up to 40 hp), the standard ratio will work, but for heavier units, you will need a mechanism with a large gear ratio to reduce the force on the steering wheel. Steering cables They must have a margin of safety exceeding the maximum load on zeal during emergency manoeuvre.
When buying a cable kit, be sure to check the availability of all the necessary nuts, bushings and locking rings in the kit - they are often lost or forgotten to put.
Also, consider the type of cable tips: hinge joints must have anthers to protect against sand and dirt, and getting abrasive inside the mechanism is the main reason for the rapid failure of even the most expensive systems.
Preparation of the boat Progress 2 to modernization
Before proceeding to drill holes in the body ProgressThe old system, if it was, must be dismantled by clearing the transom and floorboard of corrosion and old sealant, and the aluminum that the boat is made of requires careful handling so as not to damage the corrosion-resistant coating.
Determine the optimal place to place the gearbox, usually mounted on the bulkhead of the second cockpit or on a special bracket mounted on the floorboard, the main requirement is the rigidity of the attachment, any vibrations of the body should not be transmitted to the control mechanism, otherwise the backlashes will appear very quickly.
☑️ Preparation for the installation of the steering wheel
It's also important to think about the ropes, which should not rub against the sharp edges of aluminum sheets or have inflections at an angle of less than 30 degrees. Installation of the steering It requires free space for thrusts to move in extreme positions, and if the cable is going to rest against the side or the can, the control will jam at the most inopportune moment.
⚠️ Note: When drilling holes in an aluminum case, be sure to use non-ferrous metal drills and coolant to avoid overheating and deformation of the metal.
Step-by-step instructions for installing the gearbox
The installation starts with the mounting holes, the gearbox should be strictly horizontal, and the exit axis of the cable should be parallel to the plane of the transom, use the level and ruler for precise positioning, after drilling holes, their edges should be treated and coated with anti-corrosion compound.
The gearbox is mounted on bolts with a wide hat and nuts with growers. Between the boat hull and the mechanism, it is recommended to lay a rubber gasket to quench vibrations. All threaded connections are better treated with a thread fixer, since the plane vibration can unwind even well-tightened nuts.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter of fastening bolts | M6 - M8 | Depends on the gearbox model. |
| Minimum radius of bend of cable | 200 mm | To avoid a fracture, he lived |
| Engine shift angle | 30-35 degrees. | Every way from the DP |
| Reserve of cable length | 10-15 cm | For adjustment purposes |
Once the gearbox body is fixed, the steering wheel can be installed and placed at a comfortable height without interfering with viewing or access to other controls. Helicopter It is also mounted on a reliable base, often using a separate rack or console.
Nuances of work with aluminum
Aluminum is prone to electrochemical corrosion when in contact with stainless steel in salt water. Use special insulating gaskets or lubricants when mounting steel parts on the boat hull.
Installation of cables and tuning of tractors
Laying cables from gearbox to transom is the most important step. The cables should go freely, without tension, but also without large saggings that can lead to hooks. On turns, use plastic clamps or special brackets to fix the direction.
On the transom, the cables connect to the steering thrust of the motor, and here it's important to keep the symmetry: in the neutral position, the motor must look straight, and the cables must be pulled the same way, and the adjustment is done with the help of threaded thrust tips. Setting up the steering wheel It is completed by checking the full angle of the switch.
Make sure that when you put the steering wheel to the extreme position, the rope does not rest on the limiters before the motor reaches its maximum steering angle. If this happens, you need to lengthen the thrusts or adjust the position of the gearbox. Insufficient corner of the turn will make the boat clumsy, and excessive can lead to cavitation of the engine.
- 🔩 Check the tightening of all nuts on the tractors after the first break-in.
- 🛢️ Plenty of lubricate the hinge joints with water-resistant lubrication.
- 👀 Visually inspect the cables for damage to the braid.
⚠️ Warning: Never lubricate the cables inside the braid with thick graphite lubricants - they collect the sand and turn into abrasive porridge, killing the cable.
Hydraulic control: is sheepskin worth making?
For owners. Progress-2When you're planning to install 60-90 hp motors, you're going to have to switch to hydraulics, and hydraulics completely eliminates the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the motor, and you're going to be able to transfer the force through the fluid.
It's incredibly smooth, and there's no hint of backlash, and even at high speed, the engine doesn't scour, and the boat runs like a string, but it requires a completely sealed mount, and any microcrack in the hose or a bad puff of the fitting will cause oil loss and control failure.
Installation of hydraulics is more complicated: you need to carefully lay the hoses of high pressure, avoiding overburdens and places of possible rubbing. The oil tank (pump cylinder) must be installed above the level of possible water rise to prevent moisture from being sucked into the system. Hydraulic pump It is usually integrated into the steering wheel or taken separately.
Despite the high cost, hydraulics significantly extend the life of the trans and motor, extinguishing the impact loads. If the budget allows, this is the best choice for comfortable riding at high speeds, but remember that repairing such a system in the field is almost impossible.
Service and troubleshooting
Anybody steering It requires regular maintenance, especially after winter storage or long standing on the water. The main enemy of mechanics is corrosion and lubrication. Once a season, it is recommended to disassemble the hinges, clean them and lay fresh lubricant.
If you notice that the steering wheel is getting heavier, don't force the events. Check the cables for clamps or rust inside the braid. Often the problem is solved by replacing one cable or simply adjusting the tension. For hydraulics, the sign of a malfunction is the appearance of air in the system (the steering wheel becomes "cotton") or oil leaks.
Regular lubrication and visual inspection of cables after each navigation increase the life of the control system by 2-3 times.
It's also worth checking the condition of the rubber anthers. If they crack or fly off, water and dirt will quickly get inside the mechanism. Replacing the anthers is a matter of five minutes, but it saves expensive knots from breaking down. Don't ignore the appearance of creaks, which is the first signal that the rubbing surfaces lack lubrication.
How often do I need to change the steering cables?
The cables do not have a strict time-replacement regime, they depend on the conditions of operation. On average, a quality cable lasts 5-7 years. However, if you notice rust coming out of the braid, or the feeling of "snagging" when turning the steering wheel, you need to replace immediately. Regular lubrication can extend the life of the cables to 10 years.
Can I install a steering control with two steering wheels?
Yes, on Progress-2 This would require a special gearbox with two inputs or an additional steering wheel through the cable system, which increases safety and comfort by allowing the boat to be operated from different positions, but complicates installation and configuration.
What to do if the steering wheel is jammed on the move?
If you're stuck in a mechanic, try to gently swing the steering wheel backwards, sometimes it helps to disrupt the mechanism that's stuck. If it doesn't work, it's just the gas discharge and the engine (gas) to maneuver. In hydraulics, jamming is extremely rare, usually the system just loses pressure. Always have a spare rampel motor or the skills to control the boat only with gas.
Which lubricant is best for the steering cables?
Use only special lubricants for cable systems (often they are produced in long-tube aerosols), which are highly penetrating and do not thicken in the cold. Litol or solidol inside the cable braid will quickly gain moisture and freeze. The ideal option is Teflon or silicone lubricants with anti-corrosion additives.