Side ram steering

[1fast80]

Im looking to put either the imco or latham side ram hydraulic steering on my boat for the spring i was wondering if the seastar helm works with either of them seeing as i have one in the garage or if you need to buy theirs? Thanks

[Don Geiger]

I have one works great have to have unbalenced ram thow have brand new one in box if intrested

[vnemous]

you cannot use a pro helm and need at least a 2.4. I use one with a marine machine ram.

[1fast80]

I have a 2.5 merc with a 12" mid on a river rocket. So a marine machine rams works with it then? I saw a couple pictures on s&f here with 12" and the side ram i not sure of the all the options

[tux974]

It will work but like mentioned above it will need to be the 2.4 helm!
The down side is you will have more turns from one side to the other but most times many never turn lok to lok anyway. The additional turns to one side just take a bit to get use to it, no a big deal though.
This is the setup I had.
http://i58.tinypic.com/2u909qe.jpg
http://i60.tinypic.com/2wowt2x.jpg

[Greg G]

I have a 2.5 merc with a 12" mid on a river rocket. So a marine machine rams works with it then? I saw a couple pictures on s&f here with 12" and the side ram i not sure of the all the options

Maybe another option is a dual ram set up.

[1fast80]

Ahh the 2.4 helm i will check what one i have at the lake this weekend. The dual ram would look insane not sure i want to spend the extra cash on it tho. Thanks for the info

[baja200merk]

The 2.0 helm works but will need more turns lock to lock. We just did a setup with a verado power steering pump side ram and works great. One finger steering at 100

[vnemous]

The problem with a 2.0 helm (with out the reserve the verado ps pump has) the helm will suck air from lack of volume. At least that is what we have found.

[AZMIDLYF]

Do you get good feedback from the wheel with this set up?

[vnemous]

This is what happens when you use a pro helm with an unequal length side ram. Ask me how I know :D

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii3/vnemous/blownhelm.jpg (http://s260.photobucket.com/user/vnemous/media/blownhelm.jpg.html)

[AZMIDLYF]

So that's what fracking looks like. Lol

How does something like that happen?

[baja200merk]

The problem with a 2.0 helm (with out the reserve the verado ps pump has) the helm will suck air from lack of volume. At least that is what we have found.
I made a vented reservoir holds out of pvc holds about half a qt little overkill but works. It's olumbed to the top port one of the holes for a second station. Works well with no verado pump on my boat. I have a verado pump on the shelf im putting in my new boat.

[vnemous]

yes we did the same thing in a stv that had a deck fill with a behind the dash helm.

[aggiestckl]

yes we did the same thing in a stv that had a deck fill with a behind the dash helm.

Worked excellent!

[Don Geiger]

2.4 sea star no reservoir works great light feel hard to blead

[vnemous]

power bleeder comes in very handy, only way to truly get all the air out. JMO

[Tango]

So that's what fracking looks like. Lol

How does something like that happen?

Looks like a serious fracking problem!

[xskeetshooter]

don whats the (FEEL)like compared to regular steering? harder/easier?