Adding hydraulic steering? Moving center console? HELP Please!

[David C]

Hello,
I just bought a 20 aluminum boat a few weeks ago. The first time on the water I did not like how hard the steering was. After reading a little on here and other places I think hydraulic steering would be the way to go.
My questions is what would I need to buy to change it over? Kits, brands, hoses, styles, new steering wheel (mine is tapered with the key locater), etc?
The boat is a center Console Lowe Roughneck 2070 VTC with a 115 Johnson 2 stroke. Both motor and boat are 2005 models.
I know this is probably stupid but the hydraulic system would replace the current steering cable, correct?
I am thinking about moving the console forward in the boat. If the hydraulic steering would replace the steering cable that would save me a few $$ on moving the console.
Also can you buy an extension for the wiring coming from the motor to the console? I know I would have to buy longer control cables. Is there anything i need to know about different cables? Do I just buy longer stock cables?

Where would be the best place to buy these things I would be needing?

Thanks in advance,
David

PS, I need to buy this stuff before the wife changes her mind and then changes my mind. LOL

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Adding hydraulic steering? Moving center console? HELP Please!

steering would be a complete change except the wheel. extentions are available for the harness, when you add up the cost, i think you will just buy a replacement steering cable.

 

[David C]

Re: Adding hydraulic steering? Moving center console? HELP Please!

Thanks for the reply.
I have added up the coat and even though it is high I am 99% I am going to do it. The hydraulic steering kit is just under $900 with the cables, I think there is a wiring harness extension for about $40 used and I still need to check on the new/longer control cables.
I was not wanting to change the steering to hydraulic just because I was thinking about moving the console. I would like to have better steering on the boat. At high speed I do not like how hard the steering is the way it is set up now.

Thanks
David

 

[kalla man]

Re: Adding hydraulic steering? Moving center console? HELP Please!

900 sounds about right
and if you dont mind spending the money, you wont be sorry.
the hydraulic steering is a dream!!you wont believe the difference
especially at high speeds
you might want to keep your eye out for a used or rebuilt system
just be EXTRA wary about leaks..

 

[David C]

Re: Adding hydraulic steering? Moving center console? HELP Please!

Thanks for the reply,

I went by one of the area dealers today to see how much they wanted for the sea star system. They did not have anything in stock. They must really charge a lot to order something for you. They priced the same kit that I can order for $759 (without hoses) for a jaw drooping $1059 (still without hoses).

I guess I will be ordering online.

Should I pay the extra for the kevlar lined hoses over the standard hoses?
Or should I just have the hoses made up at a local hydraulic shop?

Thanks again,
David

 

[David C]

Re: Adding hydraulic steering? Moving center console? HELP Please!

Anyone have a suggestion on the hoses? Kevlar? Standard?

If I buy a new helm pump and a new cylinder is there anything to a kit that I would need, except fliud and hoses?
Thanks
David

 

[kalla man]

Re: Adding hydraulic steering? Moving center console? HELP Please!

ive got the standard hoses, never had any problems..
pick up some teflon tape for the hose fittings

 

[David C]

Re: Adding hydraulic steering? Moving center console? HELP Please!

Thanks for the info.
Just regular Teflon tape from the local home center?
I found the pieces of the kit separate and it looks like I can save a couple of hundred and get everything needed. I hope I will see a nice improvement in the steering after I get it installed. Is there anything tricky about the installation or is it pretty straight forward?
Thanks again for the help and information.
David

 

[moterboat]

Re: Adding hydraulic steering? Moving center console? HELP Please!

have a chance to get a 17ft center console hull,not too bad of condition,but no title,and it sits on the ground on property right on a main drag. they just want it hauled off..
anyone know how to get a legal title for it,such as for a abandoned hull?? do not want a homemade title..

 

[Nandy]

Re: Adding hydraulic steering? Moving center console? HELP Please!

Moterboat, you are better off starting your own thread. You will have the right people answering your questions if you post the proper title.

 

[moterboat]

Re: Adding hydraulic steering? Moving center console? HELP Please!

sorry guys,at the time thought I was on another forum...

 

[David C]

Re: Adding hydraulic steering? Moving center console? HELP Please!

Well,
I got a new cylinder on the way tonight. Now I just need to decide if I want to pay $340 for the helm pump and have everything installed by next weekend or if I want to hold out until I can find an even better price.
I paid $329 for a new HC5345 Sea Star cylinder and I should have it by the first of the week. If you add up the Cylinder, helm and hoses, it would be right at $800 $825 for the complete Sea Star system and that is pricing Kevlar hoses but total price will depend on the final length of hoses.
I think that is a pretty good price for the Sea Star system. Considering I had it priced as high as $1,200.00 over the phone today for everything including standard hoses. That makes $800 for everything seem like a pretty good price for all new parts, at least to me anyway.

Are there any tips or tricks to installing the hydraulic steering that would be useful?

Thanks again for all the help,
David

 

[kalla man]

Re: Adding hydraulic steering? Moving center console? HELP Please!

yeah just regular old teflon tape.
you shouldnt have any problems with the install. pretty straight forward. the only thing thats a little tricky is bleeding the system properly, get a buddy to help!
if they dont give you good instructions or you have a problem let me know and ill walk you thru it.
and be sure to let us know how you like the system!!!!

 

[David C]

Re: Adding hydraulic steering? Moving center console? HELP Please!

Will do.
Thanks for all the help and information.
David

 

[David C]

Re: Adding hydraulic steering? Moving center console? HELP Please!

Well, to my surprise the cylinder can on the Fed Ex truck this morning (Saturday). I opened the box to find the cylinder and a couple of small collars and set screws. Nothing else was in the box, no instructions, nothing but a bunch of packing peanuts.
I contacted the company (a teleflex dealer) I bought the cylinder from with no reply as of yet. My question is what else should have come with the cylinder besides instructions? I thought there were suppose to be some bleeder hoses?
Does anyone have a source for instructions for a HC5345 cylinder and know what else would be missing from the box?

Thanks again,
David

 

[David C]

Re: Adding hydraulic steering? Moving center console? HELP Please!

I got a reply from the dealer yesterday and he said he would look for a manual and the feeler (?) hoses and if he had them he would send them to me on Monday. What else should have been in the box for the cylinder?
I would hate to start the install and find out something is missing.
The attached pictures are of what came in the box.
Thanks
David

 

[kalla man]

Re: Adding hydraulic steering? Moving center console? HELP Please!

hows it going dave?
it looks like yougot everything
all you need now are the hoses and the helm