My power steering pump is leaking fluid, and was wondering if I really need power steering on my boat. Its a 1986 Sea Sprite 185 with a 4.3L OMC. When i bought the boat the pump was dry and we had the boat out on the water and it seem to turn fine with no fluid in the pump. I really dont think it needs power steering. So instead of buying an expensive new pump I was thinking of just taking the belt off the pump pulley. Which brings me to my next question would one belt around the water pump be enough to spin it with on problems.
<br /><br />Have you ever lost the power steering on a car? What once took a finger to turn now takes all the strength of both arms. Same thing with a boat. You can get along without it, but you have to take the power steering unit and pump off. The alternator belt should keep the water pump turning fine. You'd also want a steering trim tab installed on the drive if there already isn't one. But first, try snugging-up the hose clamps and fittings. Chances are that's all it'll take. I do seem to recall a problem with leeching thru the hose. The low pressure hose (the one that attaches to the cooler with hose clamps) can be replaced with 3/8 fuel line. That's cheap enough. If it's the High pressure hose that's leeching, then you have to get that from a MerCruiser dealer and it's a bit more pricey.