hydraulic steering

[Ferbie]

would appreciate your opinions. My steering cable on my 115 mercury has seized and i need to replace. I am contemplating going with a hydraulic system and am trying to decide between a baystar or a hydrodrive. thoughts? Thanks in advance.

 

[Lpgar]

Sea Star on both of my boats. Love it

 

[Ferbie]

Sea Star on both of my boats. Love it

Thanks. My old steering cable had "play" in the steering when going slow. Is your experience that the steering is "tight"?

 

[rastam4n]

no play in hydraulic if its bleed properly. also should not feel a difference between steering one way or the other. you will love it

 

[Ferbie]

Thanks guys. I appreciate your insights. I am going to go the Seastar route and cant wait till spring. I found the mechanical steering very hard, especially when trying to navigate boat ramp. Thanks again

 

[Wildfire]

Thanks guys. I appreciate your insights. I am going to go the Seastar route and cant wait till spring. I found the mechanical steering very hard, especially when trying to navigate boat ramp. Thanks again

I did too and then my cable broke. (broke at the dock trying to load the boat after running around the bay all day. I was soo lucky) Then I replaced the manual cable and the new one was buttery smooth. The people watching me try to load the boat at LP provincial park that day must have had a good laugh, but unbeknown to them and I, I was trying to steer the boat while the old Merc just sat hard to one side making me spin in circles.

Not saying you shouldn't go hydraulic, just be informed that steering may have been hard because your cable was deteriorating.

 

[done working]

I have Sea Star hydraulic steering on a 23ft walkaround with a 225 E-Tec. Can steer it with one finger and absolutely no torque steer at any speed.