Sea Star Power Steering?

[2.5-21]

I will ask this question here, didnt get any answers in general discussion.

Has anyone rigged a boat using the power steering unit available from sea star?
Pros?
cons?

[vnemous]

What do you mean power steering? Is some type of electric boost pump?

[2.5-21]

Electric power assist

[dompie99]

Good day y'all,

If there is TWO available, I would be looking for one on my side too

[2.5-21]

Good day y'all,

If there is TWO available, I would be looking for one on my side too

Not too sure what your saying?

[Chaz]

Not too sure what your saying?

Way to much of that going on. The end result of ... no child left behind. :cool:

[challenger 77]

I have used the power steering on a couple of twin engine outboard boats, 700 horse power you can steer with one finger it is crazy smooth. I think it is designed for twin, tripps, or quad outboards

[2.5-21]

Way to much of that going on. The end result of ... no child left behind. :cool:
comedian?

[Greg G]

You can use it on a single with excellent results. I also believe that you can use a Verado pump. There are a few people on the board that have done it, perhaps they will drop by.

[Chaz]

comedian?

Nope, I had no idea what he was implying either.

I picked up a Verado pump a couple weeks ago and was interested in seeing what other thought about using one in a multi engine application.
It's weigh's aprox 25 lbs , but if it saves me some shoulder and elbow abuse of horsing a twin engine boat around on one of these multi day event's , then it might be worth the trade off ..

[Davidlake]

I had the Sea Star pump on my Cougar 21 MTR. I worked great! It is an "on-demand" pump that only powers on when it senses the load from the help pump, therefore some have experienced a "lag' from the steering input to pump assist output. I never felt that. I changed out my Capilano helm pump with a Char-Lyn valve and Verado power steering pump in my new 28 Skater with 300xs's. The Verado is a continuous pump more like an inboard car engine would have, but electric. The Char-Lyn helm is just a proportional valve that directs fluid to the rams thru the pump. It provides instantaneous output to the rams. It does require adding some pressure plumbing and re-routing the rest of the helm pump plumbing. The outcome is a very direct, smooth input to output feel with less turns to lock than even the Capilano 1275V adjustable pump. The only down side is the additional weight of the pump and the continuous voltage draw when the pump is switched on. The pump can be mounted near the helm if stern weight is considered a factor (approx.. 25# unit). I had some issues with switching the pump because it was designed to tie into the Verado engine management for control. I used the diagnostic power steering module from Mercury (part no. 91-895040K01) to switch it on. The pump requires a two step starting sequence (two switches) which can be done without the $$ cost of the Mercury module now that I went thru the brain damage of deconstructing the module. All said, a great improvement in driver input and ease of handling. Hope this helps. Davidlake

[Greg G]

Great input from Davidlake. I had forgotten that the Verado pump is a electric current "hog" and you have to be set up on an SOB to deal with a constant flow of quality voltage.

[2.5-21]

Thanks Davidlake (http://www.screamandfly.com/member.php?73561-Davidlake) for the write up great info, Do you have a part number for the verado pump? are they available other than new from merc?

[Davidlake]

Freakin' Screamin' , Call Paul Everett at Everett Performance 877 621 7770. He can fix you up with the pump and all the other goods required. He is a great guy to work with. The only snag was the pump start-up switching that I referenced in my Thread #11, but easy to overcome. David