Hydraulic Steering Kit?

[skibrain]

I'm new to this forum. My BIL has a Glastron '01 GX180 w/150 Johnson outboard. It has the standard cable steering set up. We are looking at switching to a hydraulic steering system like the Teleflex Baystar. This system is rated for outboards up to 150 hp. Steering has always been heavy in this boat - especially in one direction - plus some unwanted torque feedback at various speeds/trims.

Does anyone have any experience with hydraulic steering install?

Ease of project?

Opinion on if going to the more HD Seastar setup for more HP would be overkill or a good idea? (they are much more expensive)

Did this eliminate the torque steer issues common to big outboard application?

Any better solution for this type of family runabout?

thanks.

[TAXXIVADER]

the teleflex baystar kits are indeed very good qwality stuff & i have fitted many of them to midrange powered fissin botes the side mount system in partikulee has been a favorite of most .

but when it comes to the higher hp & faster vessles i have always optid for the seastar frontmount pro series kits..;)wit the flexable lines & thru bulkhead type fittngs...

there are also a good range of non-feedback cable steer kits available on the market ..but i guess its a personal choice type thang.

but once ya feel the eeze & comfort of a hydraulik steer on ya bote & no longer wrestlin the wheel :mad: youll apreciate what it all about..

cheers Al..

www.teleflex.com (http://www.teleflex.com)

[hsbob]

you may be able to get ridd of the steering torque by installing a skeg mounted trim tab. when your running wot, the normal trim tab is out of the water the skeg is in.

[Cobra1racer]

I run the side mount hydraulic ram with the tilt wheel. It's just like hooking up a cable. Oh it's rated for 300 hp and it's on a V8. I like it, works great. Bleading was a snap, had my 8 year old daughter help, no problem at all. I bought all the pieces off ebay, all new in the box for $400.00 +-.

[skibrain]

Any concern that the Baystar is inadequate for a 150 hp?

This is not a high-perf. set up, but the Glastron runs 60 mph plus with a 21" stainless prop. Mostly use it as a ski boat.

[1BadAction]

Did this eliminate the torque steer issues common to big outboard application?

Any better solution for this type of family runabout?

thanks.

Using hydraulic steering to "fix" steering torque is like taking painkillers to "stop" the pain from a knife stuck in your head. :D it works, but the original problem is still there and not taken care of. put a torque tab on the skeg to get rid of most of the steering TQ from the engine, THEN if you still aren't happy, install the hydraulic steering.

truthfully, on anything except for lower than 90 HP, slower boats, I wouldnt use baystar, its very cheaply put together, IMO. 50mph is still fast enough to hurt/maim/kill you on the water.