Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I'm thinking of adding Power assist steering, as my 2 young Grand Daughters want to steer the boat and it's stiff for them. I will have the dealer install it but am wondering where in the boat the unit has to be installed?

Can it be under the helm? or on the back deck or battery compartment? Appreciate your info.

Carl, I remember you installed your own, where did you install it?

Thanks, Ken

Here ya go Ken.

Thanks Carl, That's what I was hopeing to see.

gramps,

Your gonna love having the power assist. I can steer our with just the palm of my hand it's so easy to steer. The noise it makes sounds like a toy robot. LOL

I didn't realize that they made noise, is it constant or only when you turn? Carl, do you hear your's very much?

Only when you turn. It's not very load and I can't hear it when under way.

I've thought about doing this myself but I'm not sure how it works? Does it replace the mechanical steering gearbox like I have or do you have to have hydraulic steering to began with then add the power assisst?

You need Seastar hydraulic steering first and the pump is added to that. Ken, you really only notice the noise if you're listening for it. If you're sitting at the dock or something similar you can hear it but after having it a while I don't notice it while underway

Thanks for the info, guys.

Some people insulate wherever the power steering pump is mounted for sound. And they also will sometimes put a switch into the circuit so the P/S can be cut off at very slow speeds to minimize the noise.

Power steering doesn't appear hard to install, but the bleeding is the hassle. I would think it's best to get the pump as close to the engine as possible so short hoses can be used.

It seems like many people go to twin batteries with P/S, as the pump is an energy sucker. That's another project.

I just hate they cost so doggone much. EBay and the internet are the places to save a few hundred bucks.

I installed mine in the rear compartment. Was not hard to install and it not ard to bleed if you have 2 people. I cannot hear mine when I'm under way.

Gramps: I was thinking. Do you have SeaStar steering, or do you have Mercury hydraulic steering?

One of the benefits of using a Verado motor is using a Merc power steering pump. I was thinking the new 150 hp Fourstroke can hook up to the same pump.

The Merc power steering pump is something like a $800 part, which is substantially less than SeaStar's power steering pump. The Merc part will not fit on SeaStar steering, however.

It's just an idea.

Bamaman wrote:Some people insulate wherever the power steering pump is mounted for sound.

Not being rude but I would NOT recommend to cover/insulate the pump because it gets very hot.

I just hate they cost so doggone much. EBay and the internet are the places to save a few hundred bucks.

I bought a brand new seastar PA on craigs list for 600. keep checking. they are out there. I wouldnt be without it even if I had to pay full price.

Gramps - Do you have the Baystar hydraulic steering? That's what my South Bay has. Do you have to switch that out for the PA pump to work? I'd like to do the same to my toon, doing a 30 point turn (don't ask) from our marina's gas dock, leaves my arm sore before we even begin the trip. Can help but think PA would be the ticket.