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Hydraulic steering

Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2019 4:57 pm
by Captrichc
Im thinking if changing from the old chain steering to hydraulic steering so my wife will have an easier time steering.... or at least thats what im going with to convice her its ok... lol.

Anyway... any ideas as to what system i should look at.

Specs on boat are the following:
1974 F32
Twin mercruiser 233.
1

Re: Hydraulic steering

Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2019 9:35 pm
by prowlersfish
I would look at Seastar

Re: Hydraulic steering

Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2019 10:01 pm
by captainmaniac
Upgraded my 40 year old hydraulic steering system last winter with new SeaStar (used to be Teleflex) cylinder and pumps at both helms to improve reliability and safety. Was able to reuse all hydraulic lines, but you will have to run them. Can try to find info on part numbers tomorrow.

Re: Hydraulic steering

Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2019 10:46 pm
by Captrichc
captainmaniac wrote: Sat Jan 19, 2019 10:01 pm Upgraded my 40 year old hydraulic steering system last winter with new SeaStar (used to be Teleflex) cylinder and pumps at both helms to improve reliability and safety. Was able to reuse all hydraulic lines, but you will have to run them. Can try to find info on part numbers tomorrow.
Thanks. Im expecting somewhere in the 1500 to 2k range to do this. Or am i worng with that thought? Also looking to see if anyone reccomend actual part numbers etc.

Re: Hydraulic steering

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2019 7:51 am
by prowlersfish
Captrichc wrote: Sat Jan 19, 2019 10:46 pm
captainmaniac wrote: Sat Jan 19, 2019 10:01 pm Upgraded my 40 year old hydraulic steering system last winter with new SeaStar (used to be Teleflex) cylinder and pumps at both helms to improve reliability and safety. Was able to reuse all hydraulic lines, but you will have to run them. Can try to find info on part numbers tomorrow.
Thanks. Im expecting somewhere in the 1500 to 2k range to do this. Or am i worng with that thought? Also looking to see if anyone reccomend actual part numbers etc.
I think it can be done in that range . I assume doing the work you self ? How many helms ? Once you look at the site and figure out what you need ,post the part # s . I will be glad to review them and give you my 2 cents . BTW have you talked to Bob at Beacon ? He likely has some experience on this . Heck I will sent a note to check this thread .

Re: Hydraulic steering

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2019 11:59 am
by Captrichc
1 helm. I will be doing the work myself.

Re: Hydraulic steering

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2019 12:03 pm
by captainmaniac
Captrichc wrote: Sat Jan 19, 2019 10:46 pm
captainmaniac wrote: Sat Jan 19, 2019 10:01 pm Upgraded my 40 year old hydraulic steering system last winter with new SeaStar (used to be Teleflex) cylinder and pumps at both helms to improve reliability and safety. Was able to reuse all hydraulic lines, but you will have to run them. Can try to find info on part numbers tomorrow.
Thanks. Im expecting somewhere in the 1500 to 2k range to do this. Or am i worng with that thought? Also looking to see if anyone reccomend actual part numbers etc.
How time flies ... I had mine done 2 years ago..

Seastar part numbers:
Helm pumps HH5271-3
Ram HC5312-3 model BA125

The ram model number depends on boat size, single or twin engine, planing or displacement hull, and whether pleasure craft or working vessel http://www.seastarsolutions.com/product ... w/seastar/ but that model number is good for a F32.

Parts cost me about $1K per pump and $900 for the ram, in $CDN, and that is probably MSRP. In $USD you will probably pay 30% less than that, and if you are just buying parts to do the job yourself you may find some deals, like this one https://www.seatechmarineproducts.com/s ... inder.html

Re: Hydraulic steering

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2019 4:32 pm
by prowlersfish
Yes that should work . Make sure that 7" travel of the ram is what you need . You will notice that is 4 turns lock to lock The other options 2 & 3 with the BA135 and BA150 are 5 and 6 turns lock to lock . The more turns the easier it is to turn , But of course it takes more turns to get the same results in turning . Just something to think about just make sure 7" travel is what you need .

Update my F36 has 9" travel but may have longer tillers arms then the 32 . Like I said be sure .

Re: Hydraulic steering

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2019 5:43 pm
by Captrichc
Im still a little bit away from actually installing the system. More of a research time at the moment. I have other things to finish and fix first. How did you measure your travel distance on the tiller arm?

Re: Hydraulic steering

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2019 9:35 pm
by prowlersfish
Captrichc wrote: Sun Jan 20, 2019 5:43 pm Im still a little bit away from actually installing the system. More of a research time at the moment. I have other things to finish and fix first. How did you measure your travel distance on the tiller arm?
Measure where the cylinder will bolt up at form full port to full starboard ( steering lock to lock ) . It looks like captainmaniac Used the same cylinder you picked so I expect it to be the right one . He knows what he is doing and would not picked it with out checking .

Re: Hydraulic steering

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 4:18 pm
by WayWeGo
I think the steering ram I got out of another F-36 to install in mine only has 7" of travel. You need to make sure that the hydraulic cylinder stops the rudder travel before any rudder stops or other restrictions, or your cylinder will not last very long.

Re: Hydraulic steering

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 6:03 pm
by prowlersfish
WayWeGo wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 4:18 pm I think the steering ram I got out of another F-36 to install in mine only has 7" of travel. You need to make sure something other than the hydraulic cylinder stops the rudder travel or your cylinder will not last very long.

I maybe wrong on my being 9" travel I look at a old post of mine and it said nine but it may only be 7" . Nothing stops my cylinder be the cylinder itself .

Re: Hydraulic steering

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 11:41 pm
by WayWeGo
prowlersfish wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 6:03 pm
WayWeGo wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 4:18 pm You need to make sure something other than the hydraulic cylinder stops the rudder travel or your cylinder will not last very long.
Nothing stops my cylinder be the cylinder itself .
Prowlersfish, you are correct about this. I got it backward and didn't check what I said... I went back to my original post and fixed it so I wouldn't confuse anybody else. :oops:

Re: Hydraulic steering

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 8:22 pm
by Captrichc
Wait im confussed now. Lol

Re: Hydraulic steering

Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2019 10:45 am
by prowlersfish
Captrichc wrote: Fri Jan 25, 2019 8:22 pm Wait im confussed now. Lol

I stay that way :mrgreen: