Printable View
I have went back and looked at lot of past answers to this question but still a bit unsure. I have a Imco Side steering system on a Mercury Offshore Mid and I have not yet figured out what Helm to use. I know not to use the Seastar Pro. I would like to use the Capilano but they are expensive. I have read 2.0 and 2.4 Seastar helms work but not sure which model #. This on a small light 100+ hull and I want to the steering to be safe. Any input would be great. thanks
On a 100+ light boat i would not take any chances
Take the capilano adjustable one, this way you have the option to tune it to something you like
Just getting around to messing with this boat. Can I use a Capilano 1275v helm. It shows it is adjustable from 2.7-5.4. I know the last couple Sea Star helms I used were 2.4. Thanks
I have a Capilano helm on one of my boats I love it. It is heavy but being able to tune it while running is nice.
On mine the hydraulics creep some, I like the steering wheel to be top center.
This pic is a bit blurry I installed a valve to bypass the cylinder allowing me to recenter the wheel, not to mention no one can joyride your boat.
https://i.imgur.com/c4MfTEi.jpg
I'm still not sure if I'm going hydraulic or sell what I have and go with string steering. I know where a couple of these helms are and
trying to see if it's what I need
Cables are light, don't let the engine kick up unless the steering bar is way down low.
I second this option. I am replacing the old Hynautic system in my skater with a capilano. Simple installation works great. Have installed a handful of them on different boats over the years.Quote:
Originally Posted by PanRonnie
What's wrong with the Hynautic system?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Speros
Nothing wrong, just not to my liking. The helm I'm replacing works with the pressure can. I forget the cu displacement maybe 3.0 3.5 i don't recall. Takes two hands to turn the wheel. IMO too resistant for snappy inputs to balance a boat. I first made that same upgrade on a twin engine 22 Velocity. Made it much easier to drive. Not as sweet as power assist but, a great less expensive option.
Mine (Hynautic w/side-ram) was very difficult to turn, docking was especially annoying.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Speros
I drained & flushed it with the correct aircraft hydraulic fluid (H5606?) and it helped a little bit. Still not "fun to drive".
So, I took the ram apart and found the shaft had a very slight bend in it, probably from somebody either lifting the motor by the steering ram or stepping on it climbing or jumping out of the boat.
About 30 seconds in the arbor press to straighten the shaft and now it steers like butter, one hand, no herky-jerky motion.
The only reason I'm thinking about switching out the side ram now is that I don't want to hack up the "bucket" cowl & skirt to fit the wing plate on this other motor.
FWIW.
In my examples it was twin cylinders. A High volume helm is important to get the response I would like. My preference is always the highest volume helm available.
I was running an IMCO ram with a Seastar 2.4 (non pro) helm. No problem at all, it was perfect. Make sure you have a vented cap though due to the unbalanced ram.
You can do Merciury power steering with tilt or straight helm with side ram for a couple hundred more than capilano .I am rigging a 24 Twister with side Ram 300R withe the power steer Merc .A 23 Argo with Capilano on side ram 300R .And just did a 23 Argo WITH SEA STAR 2.0 non pro with 300r side ram .All work well but power steering is nice dont think I will go back to non power on my boats.Dont see to many non power steer cars any more and the Capilano is priced to the point you can do Merc power steer for close to same price.
Jim S. we had a helm laying around we tried on a 450 single boat .It was 1 turn lock to lock .It was very hard to drive over a 100 with it we had to change after 1 run. You can have to much volume would not do past 40cc on a single .
As I mentioned I was speaking of twin cylinder examples. I have driven many combinations of steering in a broad variety of boats and I have never come across a 1 turn helm. As crazy as it may sound I am curious.