Replacing steering system

[Iconoclast]

I have a 1983 '22 Angler

My teleflex steering (original issue?) appears to have finally given up the ghost, locking up when I made a hard turn that fully extended the cable. Does anyone know the correct length for a replacement cable?

Does anyone think it would be stupid not to take this opportunity to upgrade to hydraulic steering?

[Sea Wolf]

Iconoclast-

1. I remember the last time around when you had a Stuck Sttering Cable, so know you are not talking about that issue again, right?

2. I don't know the length of the hose required, but you should be able to use a tape measure on your existing mechanical cable to figure it out.

The Teleflex BayStar System comes complete with two 20' sections of hose, and the SeaStar system comes in two feet increments from 12 to 22 feet.

Unlike mechanical systems, having the exact length of cable required is not as important, since we're dealing with hydraulic pressure instead of a stiff cable, and can bend the tubing around and coil it up a bit to fit.

3. It's a great opportunity to get rid of that mechanical system and Go Hydraulic, So Go For It

Joe.

[oldgrowth]

Iconoclast - when I did my hull extension, I went with hydraulic steering and it was easy. You do not have to coil the extra hose for the steering. It can very easily be cut. It is hard plastic and does not coil very tight.

Hydraulic steering is much better than mechanical steering and IMO, it’s worth the extra cost.

The steering hub on the BayStar unit sticks out a little more than an inch further than my old mechanical unit. Don’t know how it is on the Classic 22’s. You will need someone to help with the bleeding of the lines.
________
Dave

[Sea Wolf]

Iconoclast-

I guess I ran your two questions together a bit, thinking you'd already decided to go hydraulic.

For a replacement mechanical cable, just measure the existing one if it's all right!

The hydraulic system is superior to the mechanical one. I've had them both, including dual i/o's with power steering. Go Hydraulic if you can!

Joe.

[thataway]

I have a non feed back type of Teleflex on my 18 footer with a 115 HP outboard, and it is very smooth, cheap to replace the whole unit and you can let the helm go when on a plane and the boat will track straight.

The hyraulic would be a good replacement if you are going to put in an autopilot. But in some ways it is more complex--with bleeding, and having to fit all new gear, I am not sure I would do that. I didn't for the 18 footer (which had the steering damaged when it fell 30 feet durng Ivan--hurricane salvage boat).

[Iconoclast]

Thanks for all your input. I ultimately went with the Baystar system. The only difficult part was bleeding it, as I could never get all the bubbles out of the oil, and when you turned the wheel bank and forth, bubbles would come out of the helm unit. But it seems to work so far, and when I get an autopilot, I can try again.

Also, the cylinder is dangerously close to the transom hangers when the motor is all the way up (1996 Honda 75).

[snal]

Mine gets close too, but I can say that this (my first) hydro-system is the cats meow! Steering is effortless and no feedback!

[oldgrowth]

Iconoclast - I remember mine was a tight fit with the Honda 50 and the steering linkage for the kicker was even a tighter fit. I had to do a little fabricating to get it to work and also be able to raise the main.

Bleeding the lines worked good for me by getting all the air out at the cylinder end first, then I left the fill tube hooked up with oil in it. I turned the wheel back and forth a few times, then waited for the air bubbles to quit. I repeated this around six more times adding oil to the fill tube anytime it got low. Eventually the bubbles quit unless I bumped the wheel hard to the port or starboard stop several times, then it seemed to produce an air bubble or two. I put the plug in the helm unit and have not had any trouble with it.
________
Dave

[thataway]

There is a nifty purging pump which many dealers have--and it might well be worth taking the boat to the dealer or see if they would loan it out--costs about $800.
http://www.teleflexmarine.com/library/A4pics/ppj-1.jpg

[gljjr]

I would imagine that you could make a pump out of a garden sprayer that would work just as well for a lot less money

[thataway]

The pump recirculates the fluid--there is a input and output resivoir. It is a closed system--no hyraulic fluid all over the place!

[mikeporterinmd]

So what are the advantages/disadvantages of Baystar vs. Seastar? For installation
on a single engine CD-22 which could someday get a kicker.

Mike

[Sea Wolf]

Mike-

The chief advantages of the Seastar system are that it can be used with larger 150 hp and up motors , and that it adapts to Autopilot systems much more readily. It's main disadvantage has been it's extra cost over the Baystar, but that differential has been lessened recently. The converse is true for the Baystar.

Of course, it's morer complex than that, so you might look through these former threads:

Hydraulic Steering Upgrade

Autopilots and Hydraulic Steering

Hope this helps!

Joe.

[Iconoclast]

Also, you don't have the option of a second steering station with the Baystar, but now with all those little wireless remotes and autopilots, that may not matter.