Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 24
  1. 01-31-2022, 02:56 PM #1
    Fishingmayo
    Fishingmayo is offline
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2022
    Location
    Dexter, MO
    Posts
    26

    Steering wheel to close

    Hello everyone. I have been lucky enough to come across a barn find and make the purchase last weekend. It has been setting in a garage since 2018. It is a 1995 186 DC Contender. The boat is immaculate! I made a good deal and look forward to getting a lot of use out of it.

    The previous owner installed Sea Star steering on it which works great but the steering part is much longer than the original steering box. The steering wheel is almost in my chest when sitting in the drivers seat. Is there a way to shorten it up or adjust things so that it gives me more clearance for my gut??
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  2. ChampioNman
    ChampioNman is offline
    SC Club Moderator ChampioNman's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Crawfordville, FL/Lake Hartwell, SC
    Posts
    71,276
    #2 01-31-2022, 04:56 PM
    Hate to be truthful but lay off de biscuits. You'll have to change helm stations, $$$$, the 95 most likely had cable steering with the helm behind the console. The Seastar mount in the front and maybe extends about 8". I have an 89 201 and installed the SS system with my original Dean's seats it was fine but tight when I went Llbroc's. They are thicker.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  3. Lea
    Lea is offline
    Champion Boats Moderator Lea's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Franklin, VA
    Posts
    48,840
    #3 01-31-2022, 05:01 PM
    Welcome to the family!!!!!
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  4. SJSharky00
    SJSharky00 is offline
    Member SJSharky00's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2019
    Location
    Carmichael, CA Langston, AL
    Posts
    796
    #4 01-31-2022, 05:17 PM
    Welcome and congrats on your Champion!
    A picture of the lovely lady would be nice to see.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  5. Fishingmayo
    Fishingmayo is offline
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2022
    Location
    Dexter, MO
    Posts
    26
    #5 02-01-2022, 07:44 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by ChampioNman View Post
    Hate to be truthful but lay off de biscuits. You'll have to change helm stations, $$$$, the 95 most likely had cable steering with the helm behind the console. The Seastar mount in the front and maybe extends about 8". I have an 89 201 and installed the SS system with my original Dean's seats it was fine but tight when I went Llbroc's. They are thicker.
    I was afraid this was going to be the answer but I figured if anyone had a solution I would get it from someone on here. I have read the forum for a long time. Finally decided to join up and start participating.

    This is my second Champion. I have had Ranger, and Skeeter and IMO nothing compares. The Champion is far superior.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  6. STLBassBuster
    STLBassBuster is offline
    Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    High Ridge Missouri 63049
    Posts
    2,546
    #6 02-01-2022, 08:03 AM
    You could always add a tilt helm to adjust the steering wheel. Post some pictures I’d like to see how it looks now.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  7. STLBASS
    STLBASS is offline
    Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    St. Louis Missouri
    Posts
    18
    #7 02-01-2022, 09:31 AM
    If your current steering wheel has an offset, replace it with a zero offset wheel. 1-2" makes a big difference.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  8. Fishingmayo
    Fishingmayo is offline
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2022
    Location
    Dexter, MO
    Posts
    26
    #8 02-01-2022, 09:34 AM
    Here is a couple of pics. I didn't know if they made a different adapter to go from the steering wheel to the shaft. This one looks a little thick to me.
    Champion 186 DC.jpgChampion 186 DC Helm.jpg
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  9. Fishingmayo
    Fishingmayo is offline
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2022
    Location
    Dexter, MO
    Posts
    26
    #9 02-01-2022, 09:46 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by STLBASS View Post
    If your current steering wheel has an offset, replace it with a zero offset wheel. 1-2" makes a big difference.
    Great idea! I had not thought about that. I'll look into it. Might be the only reasonable solution. Thanks
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  10. STLBASS
    STLBASS is offline
    Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    St. Louis Missouri
    Posts
    18
    #10 02-01-2022, 10:12 AM
    You Bet!!!
    Quote Originally Posted by Fishingmayo View Post
    Great idea! I had not thought about that. I'll look into it. Might be the only reasonable solution. Thanks
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  11. flashnyellow
    flashnyellow is offline
    Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Lake Charles, LA & Toledo Bend
    Posts
    346
    #11 02-01-2022, 11:50 AM
    Rig looks great. Congratulations and welcome.
    2006 Champion 198 DCX Elite / Mercury 225 Pro XS
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  12. Jon G
    Jon G is offline
    Member
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Atlanta, IL
    Posts
    5,536
    #12 02-02-2022, 11:52 AM
    First off welcome to the Family. Congratulation on One Good Looking Rig there.
    Jonathan Graber
    Atlanta, IL
    1995 Champion 204 DCX
    1999 Mercury 225 EFI
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  13. BILL LO
    BILL LO is offline
    Member BILL LO's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    SC / MA
    Posts
    4,654
    #13 02-02-2022, 08:49 PM
    Welcome nice looking boat

    2009 ELITE 210
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  14. kris_tx
    kris_tx is offline
    Member
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Houston
    Posts
    2,093
    #14 02-03-2022, 10:19 AM
    Sea star has a kit that will recess the standard style helm some, not sure what part number is.
    I have a tilt helm on my 202.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  15. Fishingmayo
    Fishingmayo is offline
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2022
    Location
    Dexter, MO
    Posts
    26
    #15 02-07-2022, 09:43 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by kris_tx View Post
    Sea star has a kit that will recess the standard style helm some, not sure what part number is.
    I have a tilt helm on my 202.
    I looked for the kit and did not find anything. The Champion steering wheel has a pretty good offset to it. I believe I can get one that does not have an offset and it will be good. That is the route I am planning. Thanks for the information.

    Thanks to everybody for the information.
    2004 Champion 188 DC Elite 200 Mercury Optimax Tempest 25p
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  16. bigsdaddy
    bigsdaddy is offline
    Member bigsdaddy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Carrollton, Texas
    Posts
    418
    #16 02-07-2022, 09:59 AM
    Great looking boat and welcome back to ChampioN!
    Steve in Texas
    1999 ChampioN 203 DC
    2011 Mercury Optimax 250 Pro XS
    Ultrex 36v 112# - 2 10" Helix - 1 10" Garmin for Livescope Plus
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  17. RipBait67
    RipBait67 is offline
    Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Mountain Home Arkansas
    Posts
    156
    #17 02-07-2022, 11:14 AM
    I have a 95’ 186 with SeaStar steering
    with zero off set steering wheel inexpensive
    fix. 3BB7AC87-48B3-41B1-A472-CFD1EA3D40FC.jpeg
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  18. Fishingmayo
    Fishingmayo is offline
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2022
    Location
    Dexter, MO
    Posts
    26
    #18 02-08-2022, 09:38 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by RipBait67 View Post
    I have a 95’ 186 with SeaStar steering
    with zero off set steering wheel inexpensive
    fix. 3BB7AC87-48B3-41B1-A472-CFD1EA3D40FC.jpeg
    Awesome! What steering wheel did you get and where did you get it from? Was you happy with the results?

    Boat looks great!
    2004 Champion 188 DC Elite 200 Mercury Optimax Tempest 25p
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  19. mr.coon
    mr.coon is offline
    Member
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    South Louisiana
    Posts
    399
    #19 02-08-2022, 10:39 AM
    Flip your steering wheel around. That is what we did on dad's boat. Fished like that for years after he added hydraulic steering. We replaced the wheel this year with one with no offset and it gives him enough room. https://www.greatlakesskipper.com/bo...teering-wheels

    The third option is to replace the steering unit with one that goes behind the helm. http://www.seastarsolutions.com/prod...ar-mount-helm/
    '98 187 Elite, 175 EFI (Serial 0G750796)
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  20. RipBait67
    RipBait67 is offline
    Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Mountain Home Arkansas
    Posts
    156
    #20 02-08-2022, 01:05 PM
    The steering wheel is a Schmitt
    part number 026101 about $100
    Overtons or Ongaro Marine.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
« Previous Thread | Next Thread »