Merc 140 Hydraulic Steering Conversion

[myoldboat2]

I've read lots of the "stiff steering" posts. My 1970's Merc 140 has stiff steering. The way my helm is mounted, there has to be a pretty sharp bend in the cable where it goes through the floor. I will detach at the drive arm and check the aluminum cable tube. If I end up looking at replacing the cable (which I think was done before), are there any cheaper options for hydraulic (not power) steering, than Baystar, etc? It seems like such a simplistic system that the cost should be 200 bucks, not 500. I know, B O A T, but still...........

 

[myoldboat2]

Re: Merc 140 Hydraulic Steering Conversion

...any ideas?

Hydraulic would be pretty slick, because I could use an elbow in the line through the floor under the helm. But 500 buckaroos seems ridiculous... maybe I'm in the wrong business...