Convert Steering to Hydraulic... how big a job is it?

[willp2]

Hello, I have a 200HP XRi and have always had steering problems. Its currently setup with a single cable system and its a real bear to manage. Everything is lubed up well, but I have a heck of a time getting the thing to track straight and it almost always take two hands to make even small corrections. If nothing else its exhausting if not downright unsafe.

I?ve been told that switching to a two cable system would help a lot. But I wonder if I?m going to bother changing things out if I should just go hydraulic. Seems to make a lot of sense to me.

First question is will this make my life easier when driving this thing? And then how big a deal is it to do this? The helm and hoses seem easy enough, but I really don?t know what has to happen at the motor. Is it pretty straight forward or is this major surgery?

Thanks for any input or advice!

 

[achris]

Re: Convert Steering to Hydraulic... how big a job is it?

Depends more on the space you have either side of the engine... also which hydraulic system you're getting... Some have brackets on the ends and you need space either side of the engine to mount them... You may have to hoist the engine to install them too....

Chris..........

 

[willp2]

Re: Convert Steering to Hydraulic... how big a job is it?

I'm looking at the Teleflex Seastar front mount. Looks like for my motor its the HC5345

http://ww2.seastarsteering.com/OUTBOARD/FRONT_MOUNT/F_Mnt.htm

Does that help at all?

Thanks,
-Will

 

[achris]

Re: Convert Steering to Hydraulic... how big a job is it?

Just be sure you have space either side of the engine to take these bits...

Post a photo of the engine bay on your boat....

Chris.........

 

[willp2]

Re: Convert Steering to Hydraulic... how big a job is it?

Thanks for the input, I'll do that.

How do I know if I'll need to lift the motor to install?

 

[achris]

Re: Convert Steering to Hydraulic... how big a job is it?

The two ends (circled in red) have to be removed and the rod between them inserted into the engine's tilt tube... If you can do that without lifting the engine, you're cooking!

Chris.......

 

[willp2]

Re: Convert Steering to Hydraulic... how big a job is it?

Great, thanks again. I'll get some pics tomorrow. Sounds like I may be OK though if I remember how things look.

I have a friend who just repowered his boat and ended up swithing out to a different hydraulic system, so he basically has this same Seastar system but used of course. It was in perfect working condition and didnt have any leaks when he removed it. I was assuming I'd buy a new kit, but am considering his used setup since he'd get it to me for $300-$400, including everything.

Anything I should look out for with a used system? If I do buy it is there anything I should do to it before I install it?

Thanks again!

 

[achris]

Re: Convert Steering to Hydraulic... how big a job is it?

I'm not sure what engine it was being used on with your friends boat... You may need a different connection kit. That connects the engine to the steering system.

Chris............

 

[willp2]

Re: Convert Steering to Hydraulic... how big a job is it?

It was a Yamaha 250HP but more importantly is uses the same HC5345 cylinder. So it seems like it should be the same animal I think.

Thanks

 

[achris]

Re: Convert Steering to Hydraulic... how big a job is it?

The cylinder may be the same, but the parts that connect the cylinder to the engine could be different....

 

[willp2]

Re: Convert Steering to Hydraulic... how big a job is it?

Not too sure about what the deal is with that. I'm trying to get my hands on a manual for the installation kit. I do know that the big / costly parts are the same.

By the way, thanks for the quick replies. I am actually trying to get this figured out in the next day or so before my friend puts his old steering system on Craigslist.

 

[achris]

Re: Convert Steering to Hydraulic... how big a job is it?

Look for an 'attaching kit'....

Chris........

 

[willp2]

Re: Convert Steering to Hydraulic... how big a job is it?

So far I've managed to find this from a parts break down from Teleflex

"The pivot front mount cylinder (P/N HC5345) fi ts
most single-engine applications without requiring
additional connection hardware."

"NOTE: Adapter kits are not required when using the HC5345
cylinder for single engine applications. The diagram shown is
typical, but some ap pli ca tions do not use some of the parts shown
or require different ori en ta tion of items from what is depicted.
Always consult current SeaStar documents for diagrams specifi c
to your application."

So it sounds like I may be in good shape.

 

[achris]

Re: Convert Steering to Hydraulic... how big a job is it?

Sounds like it....

Good luck,

Chris........