Hydraulic steering setup

[Coryc]

I was wondering if you guys can help me with my steering setup. I currently have sea star front mount hydraulic steering with a 1.7 helm. I'm running it on a 21' Superboat with a 2.4/2.5 Merc. I am thinking about switching to side arm steering like Latham or Mayfair. I would like to know if the side arm changes the handling of the boat. Mainly when docking or at idle. Does it make the boat more nimble or do you lose some handling. How is it when running the boat? Is the steering easier to turn with the side arm vs. sea star? And also I've heard that you can run side arm steering with a sea star helm as long as it's not a sea star pro helm. Does that mean my 1.7 helm will work? And how do you guys make the extra reservoir tanks if the helm does t hold enough fluid? Thanks so much for any help!
Cory

[Richard]

I may be wrong on this, but I believe non of the sea star stuff is compatible with latham(if that's your plan). Not sure about the handling but I would guess the latham steering is more accurate than the sea star. I have sea star on my progression. A friend has the same boat with latham. My boat handles well but I think his might handle better. The latham stuff is a lot more expensive than sea star. Your also gonna have to modify the bottom pan on you engine cowl. Prepare to spend some dollars for that conversion. Good luck

[L&B]

Does that mean my 1.7 helm will work? And how do you guys make the extra reservoir tanks if the helm does t hold enough fluid? Thanks so much for any help!
Cory

Older thread but I have the same question.^^

[Hydro2.5]

Even if you add a reservoir you will end up with a lot of turns lock to lock with a 1.7 pump and a side ram. I have an Imco and a 2.4 pump, ended up with about 5 turns lock to lock.
Correct, you cannot use a seastar pro helm with an unbalanced ram.

[XstreamVking]

I remember a thread on here about the side steer, sea star helm and even the res under the dash mod. Might come up in a search? It has been posted....