Hydraulic Steering

[dmouton272]

I'm fixing to replace the steering cable on my 17' Tracker Targa (Aluminum Deep V walk through windshield). I'm not sure on how to pick out the right hydraulic steering system for my boat. Any help would be greatly appreciated and a good place to buy one at reasonable price...internet or business.

[Finfeatherfur]

I have done 2 boats over the years, one for me, and another for a friend of mine in Crowley. I used the Seastar system and I shopped online for the cheapest price. Ebay would be a good place to start, ours were bought from some place in Florida. It really wasn't that bad of a job and the 2nd one only took me about 2 hours.

Tip: get a hacksaw and cut your old cable just coming out of the boat before it turns going to the motor. Duct tape your hoses to that cut end and when you pull your old cable out from the steering column, it will pull in your new hoses at the same time. Your old assembly may take a hammer and a punch to get out, but be careful - that housing is aluminum.

[dmouton272]

Well I got the old cable out after hours of work. So your tip on pulling hoses won't work now. Where I have to run them it won't be hard. I found a Baystar by Telflex who makes Seastar, which may work because I only have a Merc 90. From what I've read at Telflex website, Seastar is for the big boys. Yes, Ebay is priced right...$479 for complete kit.

[jldsc]

you can get a fish tape from a hardware supply like Lowes/Home Depo, that would be what I would do now that you dont have something to pull then new stuff back through with, push your fish tape through attach your hoses to it then pull the stuff through..if you have some help it would prolly be a lil easier to have someone push a little as the hoses go into the deck and someone pull the fish tape out of the deck

[dmouton272]

I guess I'll have to call Teleflex to make sure Baystar will work or go by a dealer and let them check it out. Yes, 2 people will make it much easier and never heard of fish tape.

[jldsc]

it will be in the electrical sections of the hardware stores..its used to pull wires in where all the conduit has already been ran..they work real well, its on a reel and is made of a hardened metal stap that will take some abuse if you need to push real hard to get through..

[jldsc]

you may even try Harbor Freight, they may have one...for something like this that your only gonna use once in a blue moon you will not want to spend a fortune a tool like this

[flounder_smacker]

baystar will work fine for a 90. they rate baystar up to 150 and after that you need seastar.

[Tex Dawg]

If you can,take the center out of the old cable & use it to pull the hoses thru & yes the Bay Star is what you need.

[Montauk17]

Baystar system is perfect for a 90. I would just tie or tape some small nylon rope to the old cable and pull it out. Then use the rope to fish the hyd lines. Much easier than trying to use the old steering cable to fish with. You don't need a fish tape.

[jldsc]

yea but he said he already pulled it out so nothing to pull the new ones back through with..
If I read right?? Could be wrong??

[Montauk17]

Ma bad,missed that part.....on another note,you need a fish tape If the rigging tube is free of obstructions you might be able to just use the hyd lines to feed to the helm.

[dmouton272]

Greatly appreciate all the help. I found the Baystar HK4200A Complete Kit, I believe that will work. The way my boat is made, my cables run along side of my wall, easy access, unilke most boats.

[Montauk17]

You should have no problems running the lines without a fish tape. That type of boat makes it much easier to rig!

[Finfeatherfur]

Originally Posted by Montauk17

You should have no problems running the lines without a fish tape. That type of boat makes it much easier to rig!

I agree on that assessment 100%!!!!! Also, be gentle when dismantling your steering wheel, and do NOT damage the console behind it! This is what holds the helm in place and needs to be as stout as possible. The helm is pretty heavy compared to what you have now and it is held in place by 4 bolts with not a whole lot of meat left to grab once your hole is cut. Your exsisting hole may already be large enough, but until you have your helm - it's up in the air!