power steering assist units?

I had this problem once on my 22. It was due to low fluid quantity. Refilling and bleeding the system fixed it. This problem can also be caused by internal leakage in the helm.
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In my case, with the dual helms, it was due to a fault built into the regular helms. SeaStar is aware of this issue and along with highly suggesting one buy their Pro Helms, has also supposedly come up with a fix. (Which so far is unavailable anywhere I've checked and is basically changing out the back of the helm making the regular into a pro...) I'd have to do a search to find the past thread where I discussed all this along with posting a copy of the SeaStar engineers reply to me on that issue. Colby
 
I have ordered new, 1500 psi, hoses. My hope is that the steering stiffness problem is due to a restriction (kink?) somewhere in the hoses that I have not been able to visually find. The 1500 psi hoses will also allow me to retrofit with the Pro helms if I decide to do that later. Colby
 
Well just got here and skimmed the old and the new and did not see one thing that will cause fatigue in a steering system and its not located anywhere on the steering system. ????

Its torque. all outboard motors, well all motors really, cause an amount of torque in the direction of spin of the prop. This is off set by steering trim tab. Its that little tab facing down just above your prop. If that is not adjusted correctly it will cause the motor to turn one way of the other. Its sole purpose counter the effects of torque caused by the rotation of the prop/ motor. It is not the cure all for a sticky cable or a bad pump but it is a factor that needs to be addressed and eliminated before you chase your tail looking at other far more expensive systems. Just a thought that was not being talked about. Hope that helps someone. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cliAokbII0
 
starcrafttom":31ub8drs said:
... Its torque. all outboard motors, well all motors really, cause an amount of torque in the direction of spin of the prop. ...
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Torque is in the opposite direction of prop spin. Newton's Third Law.
 
Tom, thanks for your suggestion. But my issue isn't with the trim tab. I've pretty much got that tweaked for the best trim at my regular fast cruise. (That is, the motor turns equally hard in either direction...) I'm really hoping it is a restriction in the line somewhere. Maybe a kink in behind a panel somewhere. Guess I'll know for sure when I pull the old hoses out to replace with the new ones. There have been a few others speak of stiff steering with the 25's also. Could just be the nature of the beast. I do have an autopilot and many times just resort to letting it drive. But I do think hydraulic steering should work a lot easier. Colby
 
Colby, I don't think it is typical of 25s
Mine steered very hard in one direction when I first got the boat but that was quickly taken care of with a power bleed. Ever since steering with the Seastar is smoothl as silk in both directions. Could it be that it is more challenging to get 100% of the air out in a dual steering set up?
 
Colby, I don't think it is typical of 25s
Mine steered very hard in one direction when I first got the boat but that was quickly taken care of with a power bleed. Ever since steering with the Seastar is smoothl as silk in both directions. Could it be that it is more challenging to get 100% of the air out in a dual steering set up?
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Hi Alain, that is good to hear about your boat. I'm pretty confident I have all the air out of the system, and am using the Bubble Purge system when I bleed it. Tom drove the boat last summer when we were trolling in Aisle Royale, and said it steered pretty much like his. I've seen two other threads where folks with a 25 asked about steering stiffness. I'm still thinking I've got some restriction in the hose somewhere that I'm just not seeing. A bad fitting, kink, etc. Once I get the new hose in a week or two, I'll pull all the old out and replace it with the new. I'm hoping that is the problem. I'll be posting later what I find out. Colby
 
colbysmith":xl61p4w4 said:
... I'm still thinking I've got some restriction in the hose somewhere that I'm just not seeing. A bad fitting, kink, etc. Once I get the new hose in a week or two, I'll pull all the old out and replace it with the new. I'm hoping that is the problem. I'll be posting later what I find out. Colby
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I would think that since the steering system is basically push-pull, if there is a restriction that blocks the flow in the positive direction giving high force, then when turning in the other direction it would also give high force due to the restriction in the return to the helm.
 
I would think that since the steering system is basically push-pull, if there is a restriction that blocks the flow in the positive direction giving high force, then when turning in the other direction it would also give high force due to the restriction in the return to the helm.
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It's (equally) hard to turn in either direction.
 
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