Question about hydraulic steering

[4cutekids]

I have a 2016 Lowe SS230 with a Mercury 115. It came with manual steering which is just a real hassle to use. Very hard to turn the faster you go. I called Cabelas today which is where I got the boat and asked them what it would cost to replace it with hydraulic steering. They said they had one that would be about $1500 installed by Baystar and one that would be about $2200 installed by Seastar. I was wondering if anyone else here has had this done and if they people think that the Baystar would work. Or, what others might recommend as they are open to me buying it myself and them installing it as well.

[Reiner]

I have the hydraulic steering which came with my Lowe SS210, this just replaced the cable with hydraulic lines. There is also hydraulic "power steering" which makes the steering real easy. Something to check what you want to accomplish. Hydraulic alone will not get you one finger turning.

[joe20toon]

I also have a 115HP and went with hydraulic steering. While Baystar may be fine with a 115HP I upped it to Seastar. The 'plumbing' on Seastar is a heavier duty system used with larger outboards. I have read it can be better in the long run to go with the more expensive Seastar. Your quote of $2,200 seems too high.

Here's more input from this link: http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-for ... ystar.html

http://www.continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum ... 19423.html

[Seon]

[quote="joe20toon"] .. I have read it can be better in the long run to go with the more expensive Seastar. Your quote of $2,200 seems too high.


[/quote]

Go with the Seastar that the average cost is about $900. http://www.hodgesmarine.com/Seastar-Pro ... iramsegdoh

A shop installing it shouldn't take over 4 hrs. x $125 (shop rate) = $500 + $900, so total shouldn't cost over $1400....$1600 max.

[Toonnut86]

only opinion I can give is I have the seastar, It is incredible. I have no clue with it would cost as mine was factory installed, But i'd call around for quotes

[Bamaman]

You say that your cable steering is difficult to steer? Does it steer okay in one direction, but hard in the other direction?

There is a tab on the bottom of your anticavitation plate that is adjustable. Have you tried to slightly adjust the tab to see if you can get it easier to steer? And is your current cable steering system adequately lubricated? It does make a difference.

I have an old pontoon boat with a Yamaha 115 hp 2 stroke motor, and it steers just fine. It's also much stornger of a motor than more modern 4 stroke 115's.

I do like the hydraulic system on my newer Bennington with 150 hp, but your current system may be okay with some attention to its maintenance.

[4cutekids]

It has been difficult to steer from day one. When I contacted Cabelas on the matter after purchase they indicated that it was a direct system with no hydraulics and that this was normal. Yes it is much harder one direction than another but this is normal with manual steering setups.

I will probably go with the Seastar as though the Baystar is rated up to 150HP a pontoon would seem to be more difficult to steer than your average V hull and so the extra strain may wear on the Baystar over time.

I also need to have them adjust the throttle. If I let go of it it backs off on power very quickly. This makes it doubly difficult to turn at higher speeds as at higher speeds turning is a 2 handed operation for sure at this time and if I let go of the throttle the boat slows way down.

Smooth and effortless steering is my goal. It sounds like I need to buy a Seastar on my own and then have them install it. I have about $700 in labor credits at Cabelas from the boat purchase so installation will not be at any cost after the purchase of the unit.

Anyone have any suggestions of a good place to buy this sort of thing? In Phoenix. Also, when looking at the purchase would I be looking at a Front Mount, Side Mount, or Splashwell Mount System in my case? I assume font mount...

The hardest part now is going to be finding out what hose length I need...

[ron nh]

I also have seastar with a 115, It is so smooth and effortless. Love it.

[Gearbanger]

I had the same problem with the throttle. There is a small nut on the outside of the throttle control panel that needs to be tightened. I believe it was between a 8-10 mm wrench that did it. I had to lay down and get into and under my steering console to access it and then it took a few times to get the tension that I desired. Not a hard job though and one you could do yourself if you wanted too.