STEERING SUCCESS: FROM ADELAIDE TO THE WORLD

HYDRIVE APPROACHES 60 YEARS OF SPECIALIST MARINE MANUFACTURING.

HyDrive Engineering, the Adelaide-based manufacturer specialising in hydraulic and power marine steering systems, recently welcomed Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, the Governor of South Australia for an official visit, recognising HyDrive for its contribution to the local economy and export success.

The proudly South Australian company designs and manufacturers premium marine hydraulic steering systems. Their products are positioned as offering smooth, powerful steering, built with quality materials for long-lasting endurance. Even large horsepower outboards are handled with comfort and without feedback from engine torque.

Founded in 1966, HyDrive makes the largest range of marine steering of any company in the world, catering for most types of boats from 5 metres to over 200 metres.

“So basically, if it floats, HyDrive can handle it,” states Director, Grahame Anderson.

The business directly employs 21 people with many more employed in local foundries and metal suppliers to supply the huge range of castings and raw materials used in the production of HyDrive steering with is totally made in their Wingfield, Adelaide facility.

Grahame has a long history at HyDrive, and his passion has fuelled its growth. He joined the company in 1973, a year after the original owner sold the business to Associated Metal Improvements Pty Ltd. At that time, the steering product was a “hobby project” of the former owner and the main enterprise was sub-contract engineering parts for local manufacturers including Chrysler, Simpson-Pope, Scott Bonner and Horwood

Bagshaw, among others.

As Grahame explains, “I was impressed with the HyDrive product and took it on as a personal project to develop it into a very major part of the business. Eventually, it became the sole product that we manufacture.

“New designs and innovations to the pumps and cylinders catering for outboard motors as well as inboard vessels increased our market share. HyDrive was the first in the world to develop what is called a ‘bullhorn’ style cylinder designed exclusively for use on outboard motors and holding the cylinder in front. The first production version of this was released in the mid-1970s and eventually copied by US and Canadian manufacturers in the early 80s.”

HyDrive’s range of manual hydraulic steering systems cater to all types of outboards, inboards, sterndrives, jets and specialised catamaran steering.

For larger vessels, a range of power-assisted steering types and sizes caters to even the most demanding requirements, with full fly-by-wire electronic steering being one of the most popular control options.

HyDrive’s systems are available in engine-driven, 12-24V DC electric, and both single and three-phase AC electric configurations, and all built to meet the most exacting standards required for survey under Class Societies such as Lloyds, DNV, ABS, GL and IRS to name just a few.

And while the product has remained constant, its evolution has continued, as the cutting-edge designs kept pace with the increase in outboard horsepower. The brand and its quality products are sought-after worldwide. Over the past six decades,

HyDrive has delivered more than 800,000 units and exports to 75 countries, despite the setbacks and associated challenges of the GFC followed by the global pandemic.

A founding member of AIMEX and the BIA, HyDrive regularly attends international boat shows such as METS and Fort Lauderdale, and several to support its distributors, including Auckland, New Zealand and Southampton in the UK.

“The GFC was brutal on the world boating market, and it has never quite recovered to its former glory,” Grahame observes.

“Just as it was starting to rise, it was hit by Covid, and while the Australian market actually lifted during that time, most other economies did the opposite. Our present focus is trying to recover previous markets and support existing ones.”

In Europe, demand for HyDrive manual hydraulic and full power steering systems has grown significantly since they were first introduced in 2000.

This year, HyDrive’s European dealer, Southern Cross Marine, was acquired by Phoenix Marine, which promises to expand the brand’s penetration into the larger vessel OEM market.

“Phoenix Marine supplies to some of the major superyacht builders, so the addition of HyDrive to their product range is likely to result in greater access to those same builders,” Grahame predicts.

Membership of the BIA ensures access to a supportive network of Australian businesses across all sectors, which Grahame believes is positive in terms of business and collaboration.

“It’s nice to know that we are part of an Association of likeminded companies focussed entirely on the promotion and success of the marine industry in Australia. It is also heartening that members support each other by using the services of other members.

“It would be great for Australian marine businesses to champion Australian-made products that they could incorporate into their own boats, regardless of price. There are cheaper knockoffs of all types of marine products beginning to flood the market which might look nice on the outside, but you are not doing your customers a service by fitting them.”

Looking ahead to its 60th anniversary in 2026, this proudly Australian manufacturer is an outstanding testament to ingenuity and perseverance. HyDrive’s longevity is due entirely to its reputation for quality.

“We cannot compete on price with much larger overseas manufacturers who have huge economies of scale with their own domestic market, so instead we compete on pure quality,” Grahame attests.

“Interestingly we actually export lots of our steering to China where it is considered a high-quality brand.

“The quality of the materials used and of the actual performance under the most extreme conditions – that is what sets us apart and has ensured that we are still going strong after almost 60 years in business.”