Easy Steering Conversion??

Tom on Icarus · Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:16 pm Post subject: Easy Steering Conversion??

I know that many of you have done this before so I should get plenty of good advice.
I am looking at replacing the steering cable on my 22 cruiser with 75 Honda.
I have read plenty of posts from the archives however it is not clear to me if changing to a hydraulic system is doable without removing the engine from the transom which is beyond my comfort zone.
Can any of you tell me if it is an easy conversion……as in “do it yourself”……or is it somewhat of a major undertaking?
I have a bit of a dilemma here……..I lost my job last November and have been wrestling with the idea that I will have to sell the boat. This was not in the plan, however neither was an early retirement during a terrible bear market. My dilemma is this…..I had my steering cable seize up over the winter and it broke while trying to turn the wheel.
My plan would be to replace the steering with hydraulic if I could do it easily cheap enough but regardless as to whether I have to sell her or not, the steering must get replaced. If I can do all of the work myself I think it may be worth putting the hydraulic steering in…….even if for the next owner.
Your thoughts and comments on this will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Beer

Tom

digger · Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 10:13 pm Post subject: Perhaps

I changed the steering to hydraulic on Snoopy-C, but slid the engine over to do it, and saved the cable unit. However, since the cable is already broken you might be able to pull it without moving the motor. I'd loosen off the nut on the starboard side of the engine, and remove the connector bar from the steering cable to the motor. Then you can see if the steering cable will slide out of the tilt tube on the motor. If it does and you start binding near the starboard transom, you may be able to use bolt cutter and cut the cable off the slide bar that passes through the tilt tube, thus allowing you the abililty to get the cable out of the way and out of the boat. The remainder can be pulled up through the back of the dash and out. The baystar system should be pretty easy to run the tubes through the gunnel, and connect up. I'd say, go for it. Just be careful you don't pull any of the wiring loose from under the dash, or some that might be wiretied to the steering cable. Good luck. Ron

Yellowstone · Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 2:08 am Post subject:

Tom - My limited experience with hydrualic systems suggests that it is easier to retrofit or replace a mechanical system than most people imagine. I too had a frozen mechanical system, and it came at the wrong time (on a trip). Some people claim the hydraulic system in a salt water environment is more trouble free than a mechanical system. Have only retrofitted twice, Bay Star and Sea Star, and found it relatively simple. You don't have to remove your engine, just the old mechanical linkage. Good luck. Yellowstone

Nunya · Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 10:09 am Post subject:

Tom,
Hydraulic steering is nice, but expensive. If I thought I might sell the boat I would install a NFB steering system. If you do decide to install a hydraulic system go with the Bay Star since you are under 150hp.

Tom on Icarus · Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 3:09 pm Post subject:

Thanks folks. As always your information is greatly appreciated.
So far it sounds like it isn't that hard to install. Now I really have to shop around the net to find a good price on a kit and hopefully it won't break the bank having it shipped up to Canada.
Any other tips or info on the process gladly welcome. This is such a great forum.

Cheers Beer

Tom

thataway · Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 4:06 pm Post subject:

I run a non feed back cable system on my 18 foot CC (replaced when I rebuilt the boat)--for a Yamaha 115 hp outboard. It steers easier than the hyraulics on my other two boats, and when properly trimmed, at cruising speed, the boat tracks true hands off the wheel. Much cheaper than the hydraulic. If I was going to put on an auto pilot, then would definately go with hyraulic, but on a 22 with a 90, a good NFB cable will be much better than what you had.

Tom on Icarus · Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 2:26 pm Post subject:

Doc:
I received your PM regarding the steering and I sent a reply.......I think.
Not too sure if I did the PM to you correctly so I hope you get it.

Thanks again to all for your advise.

Cheers Beer

Tom

thataway · Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:25 pm Post subject:

Tom,
I didn't get a PM from you--I'll keep looking, sometimes they get lost in cyber space?

Regards,

Tom on Icarus · Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 7:11 pm Post subject:

Bob....Sorry for the delay in getting back here but other things came up. I didn't PM you Bob. It was a reply to Steve whose psudonym is "Doc". I understand the confusion.

Anyway, I have decided to stick with the cable steering simply for cost saving reasons. Today I started to take the old system out and ran into a snag right away. I can't seem to get the steering wheel off in order to replace the helm. Do I need a special puller or what's the trick? I don't want to bust anything.

Tom