add hydraulic steering?

[njjeter]

i have a 2001 90 hp on a 1999 21 ft tracker deck boat. it has very hard steering and i have thought about adding a hydraulic steering setup. it this very difficult and any recommendations for a product?? i bought the boat used several years ago and it has always had hard steering, but outside of that i love the boat. the skeg has been slightly bent and i have to adjust the trim tab all the way over to compensate. any thoughts on trying to straighten the skeg(very slight bend)???

 

[ddennis]

Re: add hydraulic steering?

replacing the steering cable would be cheaper and easier than purchasing and installing hydraulics....

Not sure on the safest way to straighten that skeg...mines bent too! LOL

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: add hydraulic steering?

studlymandingo, just did this, he'll be along.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: add hydraulic steering?

I just installed a system I purchased used off of eBay; I got a great deal on the price. It did not come with the hoses, but I was able to get the proper hoses made up at a local shop. All-in-all it cost me less than 1/3 the price of a new system. There are usually several units available on eBay at any given time. The Sea Star by Teleflex is the unit I purchased, but the Baystar system will also work on your motor. You may end up buying the system in 2 parts, the cylinder at the motor and the helm-pump which is what your steering wheel mounts on. Any shop that makes up hydraulic hoses will easily be able to accomodate the hose needs you will have.

The installation was fairly simple and took me just a couple of hours. Once installed, I took the boat out for a test run (18'6" Center Console with a 150HP Mariner outboard) and it was like driving a different boat! Little to no resistance when under a full-torque load, and you can let go of the wheel at speed and there is no change in course. It is so much more a pleasant experience to drive. When I have a full fuel load and several passengers, it is still almost effortless to steer. I would highly recommend going hydraulic if you can do so.

You can probably get your skeg repaired at a local welding shop or marine repair center.​

 

[yorkserv]

Re: add hydraulic steering?

I had the same problem on my 1974 20' mako me and my old man redid the boat stripped it down to the hull and put everything new except the 1988 200 merc and the steering system so i was out one day and the helm tore up the teeth that drives the cable and i was about four miles out from the marina.. i did some james bond crap to get back. i was debating wether i was going to change out with cable steering or i wanted to go hydraulic.. So i did the research on ebay your looking roughly about 300-400 dollars (all you need for a 90 is the baystar by teleflex) and you can get the hoses either from hydraulic supply or premade hoses from teleflex now for my motor i needed the seastar wich runs around 850-900 dollars i shopped around and got it local for $735 (helm,hoses,piston)

Installation

removing the old cable was probably the trickiest part due to the pipe that ram from my center console to the stern of the boat. once that was out it was cake. I used the template to enlarge the hole in the console and with a die grinder i made the small adjustments for proper fitting. once that was in i seperated the parts (bushings,nuts,washers,etc.) that i was going to need to mount it onto the motor. mounting to the motor was fairly easy it tie onto transom bracket with predrilled wholes that are on motor and the leverage point is right where you are turing engine now... then fish the hydraulic hoses through you bilge and connect the lines..

filling hydraulic lines

This part was important. when you do this you will need two people to make it easier. read the direction carefully. you connect this clear tubing and start filling once yoou poke a whole on bottom side of bottle. and you start turning helm in one direction with the designated bleed port open and y0ou keep turning till it gets tight and engine cannot turn any longer. and do the same thing in other direction..

and your all ready for fun.. I will tell you the best investment i have made so much better in response easy to drive while idle and no more have to fight with wheel to pull up to dock.. if you have the money do it man i recommend it