Steering replacement needed

[Boatboy6]

Good choice! You won't regret not having to fight the wheel all the time. All I can think of is make sure all your connections are tight and make sure to bleed the system correctly.

[verch]

Cool. I feel good about doing it. I'll just have to hold off on a new stereo for a month or two.

[floorboy]

Hydraulic made my boat bearable to drive. I went uflex, pieced it off eBay.

[Abe's Rocket]

Seastar or Uflex?

[Normagain]

The unit in the link is a Baystar not Seastar, rated up to 150hp. I've heard they work fine but if you have more power, you need Seastar. I like my NFB 4.2 with Yam F115 because I never go to the gym.

[kmoose]

If you think hydraulic steering is great, add an autopilot to it...

[sidelock]

I don't think my 18' SF has a conduit that the existing Teleflex cables are running through. Is it ok to just run the hydraulic hoses under the deck and through the bilge leaving them exposed ? or should I try running a bigger hose and then run the hoses through it for protection, if that's possible.

[erebus]

My 18sf came with hydraulic steering, which I upgraded the helm pump (tilt!) and the hoses on when I did my refit last year.
I ran the hoses through the "conduit" that already exists below deck on the stbd side.
Its just a slot through and along the stringer, not really in the bilge.

I bought the premium teleflex hoses, and secured them as best I could, where I could.
Not really concerned about chafe.

[sidelock]

So do I have to lift the console & remove the deck/fuel tank hatch cover to run the hoses or can I fish them through by taping the ends to the existing cable and pull/fish them through ?

[flyingfrizzle]

Originally Posted by sidelock

So do I have to lift the console & remove the deck/fuel tank hatch cover to run the hoses or can I fish them through by taping the ends to the existing cable and pull/fish them through ?

When you pull the old ones out, pull a string in that was attached to them. Tie the string to the new ones and fish them threw. Should go easily if there is not a lot of stuff in already in there.