hydraulic steering must have?

Yes the twin cable system is cheaper than the Sea star hydraulic system. That is what I thought... I had a old stiff cable system. Replaced the cable and let me tell you that removing that :cen: was painful. I had to take a hack saw to get it out. Putting the new one in was a little better. It was still stiff but not as bad as it was. One season of use then it was back rock hard steering. So dreading the removal and re installation of a new cable again. I bought the bay star hydraulic system for 500 bucks. I think the hard part of it was cutting out the old cable system again. Installation was a breeze! I think total time to remove old cable system and install the new system took a little under 4 hours. The only thing that I didn't like was the fact they include in the kit plastic tubing for the fluid lines. I did the install a little over a year ago and I haven't seen any leakage. I do recommend if you do this install instead of using the clear fluid they include with the kit. Get a gallon of MIL-H-5606 from your local airport, or order on the internet. So if you do have a leak in the system you can spot easily due to the red color of the hydraulic fluid.
 
I'll second the Baystar recommendation. It was one of my improvements last year and I'll never own a boat with cables again.
 
I will go with the Hyd system---spend the extra money--it is not that much---you will enjoy it that much more.

I put in a top of the line NFB Teleflex dual cable system--it worked and was adequate for the job---But just put on a Marol Hydraulic system--never turning back--WOW is all I can say. Wish I had not wasted the money on the cable system and put the hyd on first.

Live and learn---so do not do a "me"--do a I learned from "me":clap:

The difference in the Baystar or the seastar and the Marol is the Pump--instead of bushings on the shaft--they use Bearings on the shaft and the cylinder is awesome--same dollar for dollar--step up to the better pump--I have mine set at 4.5 turns lock to lock to.
 
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I put in a no feed back system on our V last winter. It's has a heavier feeling when when docking but while underway it works great. Hydraulic would be better but NFB works just fine.

Hell..... I have a dockmate that put a hydraulic system on a 13' Whaler over the winter!:party:
 
I had cable with 150 hp on my Mako - torque steering when the engine was turned from standing start a hassle.

Anyway.........went with SeaStar hydro steering when I installed a 200hp and WOW what a difference !!! Well worth it.
 
I don't recomend the baystar on anything above 115 hp even though its rated for 150. The cylinders are a pain to rebuild, usually cost more to rebuild than to replace(they get full of corrosion), the early baystar helms were plastic and they give a lot of problems. I've installed several UFlex systems with out any issues, I haven't seen the moral, I'll have to give it a look
 
first time i've disagreed with spare. I may have missed it but I feel the trick is to have your motor set up & trim tab adjusted to minimize torque. Hydraulic is sweet, I have them at work (thanks taxpayers!) but my no feedback single cable costs so much less & I can turn my 200 merc offshore with a finger.
 
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