Converting to Hydraulic Steering system-Has anyone done this to their boat??

[AlanW]

Is anyone experienced at doing this?
Is anyone familiar with the differences in specific SeaStar Pro helm units and steering cylinders? ( I HAVE to have a TILT helm because it is so tight behind the console of my Coral)

Because I got about a 1000 questions. I'll start with just a few.

Will I have to enlarge the hole in the dash for the tilt helm unit?

Exactly what to buy-There seems to be a SeaStarII Pro series and a SeaStarII Pro Sport series
Is the "Pro Sport" series a higher level than just the plain "Pro" series?

There are 2 helm units I was wondering about. They both have the same specs.
HH-5290 - SeaStar Sport Tilt Pro Helm
HH-5774 - SeaStar Pro Tilt Helm
Which one do I want and why?

[Psychologist]

You want the pro series. In the kit, you should have all you need. Make sure you get the right length of hose. As far as the helm, you should not have to cut anything. Hardest Part of the job is removing the steering wheel. Good luck!

[skeeterbutch]

I second that, and if I'm not mistaken the difference between the two seastars is the pro has a tilt steering wheel. (I hope I'm not too far off here, if I am please show some mercy)

[Psychologist]

The pro just has a better cylinder. It is a little more stable. Tilt is an option on all of them, because it is at the helm. Good luck!

[AlanW]

Psychologist, I'm assuming from your post that you have done this to your boat?
Which boat do you have?
My current steering system is the Teleflex Pro NFB Dual-Cable Rack & Pinion, with the tilt helm.

Are you saying the dash hole will already be the right size?
Because most everyone else says I'll have to enlarge the dash hole.

From what I have found out, I want the SeaStar Pro Sport Tilt Kit. The best price I've found so far is from Surplus Umlimited for $1,169.95 + shipping.

Any other ideas on where to get it?.....anyone??

[FishMoore]

Alan
I just changed mine a couple months ago. I have a 96 201, it had the dual cable NFB rack and pinion w/tilt.

I had to enlarge the hole for the standard helm. Not sure if the sport tilt will require this, but if you do get the tilt helm you will most likely have to get the remote fill kit for the helm as well. It is a short piece of tubing and a fitting that you can mount on top of the dash to top off the hydraulic fluid when needed. The reason for this is that on the tilt helm the pump is actually mounted behind the dash.
As far as buying you might try pitstop marine, but beware he does not normally stock the tilt helm. If you don't need it right away, give Junior a call. He had some good prices.

[AlanW]

FishMoore,
Thanks for the info.
Surprised you went back with a non-tilt replacement helm, there must be more room behind the console on the bass boats than the Corals. I gotta have the tilt helm, and I'm just an average size, non-fat guy.

On your original cable system steering rack, up behind the dash, was there a lot of wiring harness bundles zipped-tied to the rack?

On the Cobras, I think some of the controls & guages are mounted on a side panel.
In a Coral, everything is dash-mounted, so there is a BUNCH of wiring up behind my dash. Just wondering how much trouble that was to deal with.

[FishMoore]

I was in a bind or i would have waited for the tilt. There is not a lot of room on the bass boat either.

As far as wiring, i don't think there was anything i had to do other than move some added wiring from depth finders and such out of the way. Besides that it was fairly simple.


Modified by FishMoore at 10:13 PM 4/27/2007