jigstick

Tuna Toms rocks.  Called and talked to him about the drags in my Okuma Coldwaters.  He sent me the parts I needed and they kick ass now.

its really not that bad of a job man.  Im installing a whole new hydraulic helm, ram, and type 1 Raymarine pump in my boat next week.  If you can bleed brake lines on a car you can bleed this pump.  Save yourself probably $800

I had a Raymarine a65 Plotter with sounder module and an Airmar p58 ducer on my boat a while back.  Not the most expensive transducer.  I was expecting good things from the system.  It was definitely an upgrade from the Hummingbird that was on the boat.  Last year I switched to a Garmin display and chirp transducer and it blows the Airmar away

Im always looking to upgrade my boat.  not that I "have" to.  But I'm always looking for a sweet deal.  Well I came across this bad boy and I'm having a hard time talking myself out of it.  If those were 4 strokes id be flying down to drive it home already.  Talked to the owner today about it.

https://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/boa/d/2002-hydra-sports-2600-wa/6542099909.html

Here are the part numbers from Seastar.  These components are compatible with Mercruiser V6 190hp engines with hydraulic assisted steering.

Hydraulic Ram (unbalanced cylinder)     HC5328-3

Hydraulic Helm    HH5271-3

Hydraulic Hoses   HO51xx

          xx =  hose length

         2-6ft lengths come in 1ft increments

        6-30ft lengths come in 2ft increments

Hydraulic Pump fittings (to connect to hydraulic autopilot pumps)  HF5531

       you can specify 90-45-straight based on your installation arrangement

       youll have to double check the part number based on what degree fitting you want.

Hydraulic Helm fittings    HF6004

       this part number is for 90 degree helm fittings.

You will also need 2 T-fittings.  I don't have this part number off hand.

The part numbers for these fittings I know work for a Raymarine Type 1 reversing autopilot pump.  I would recommend you guys crossreference the fittings you need based on what pump you are using.

This is the layout that I will be using

The bearings and clutch pads inside the sport pilot heat up over time. And you end up fighting the sport pilot when trying to manually steer.  Twice now I’ve had my sportpilot back to Raymarine for new clutch pads. One time it was so bad I could barely steer the boat coming back into the harbor. The drive unit is also loud to listen too all day long. I’m just through messing around with the Sportpilot.  It worked well enough over the past few years...but I came into some extra money for the boat this year. And I think going to a hydraulic setup will fix my steering situation once and for all

Excellent idea regarding the ball valves to isolate the pump 

I will post part numbers and costs later on today. I’m at work at the moment. Ball park though is roughly $1500 for helm, ram, autopilot pump, hoses, and misc fittings

I’ll definitely post pictures of the process. I plan to get the boat out of storage in the next two weeks. I have to take some measurements to figure out hose lengths and clearances. Then I’ll start ordering the components

what is the length?  Do you have a recent survey?  Hydraulic steering?  What autopilot is on it?

Every rod on my boat is a Okuma Classic Pro GLT.  Dipsy rods, down rigger rods, lead core rods, etc.  You just cant beat them for the price.

I got it figured out.  This is going to be easier than I thought.  The new hydraulic ram mounts to the steering linkage in the same fashion as the old steering cable.   I pull out a cotter pin and loosen the nut on the steering cable, and pull the cable out.  Then take the hydraulic ram, extend the rod, push it through where the cable went, and reinstall the cotter pin and tight down the nut on the ram.

The factory power assist stays, and isn't altered in any way.

I remove the steering wheel, pop the dash, and remove the rack-and-pinion housing.  Remove the old helm.  and mount the new hydraulic helm, which is MUCH smaller than the old rack.

The type 1 pump from Raymarine is easy to install and splice into the system.  Routing the hydraulic hoses won't be an issue.

I hope this is easy to bleed.  I can see that part being a headache.

On 3/29/2018 at 5:44 PM, chowder said:

I've had the Aurora's for 6 years- had heavy wood before that. The Aurora's pull anything and don't dive under like the heavy wood boards. They are also much, much easier to lift out of the water. Like all really big boards they will have a tendency to rip the line out of your releases when pulling long copper with a big flasher in rough water. There just isn't much give in the planer line and when the board takes a knock it will pop the release from time to time.

I will add that you may want to consider not planning to run 3 cores or 3 coppers off each big board on Ontario. Even with your deeper lines next to the boat a good king on the outside line may take out your inside lines and make an expensive monster mess. Also, you can't redeploy the high line on the outside very easily if it's hot because now it's in the way of bringing fish in on the deeper lines to the outside of it. You might be better off using the Red Walleye inlines if you want to run multiple junk lines out to the outside. I do this quite a bit fishing for walleye or on the Finger Lakes for fish with less destructive tendencies than the Chinook. If you have the 3 coppers/cores off the big boards technique down then please forgive my words of caution.

When on my friends boat we almost always run 200-300-400 copper off each board.  I think he has the massive Aurora boards though.  Im not looking to get the enormous ones...just the standard sized big boards.  My inline planners just aren't cutting it any more.

ill come up with a price after work today and update the post.

im assuming you want the entire system?  Course computer, controller, flux compass, and sportpilot drive unit?  Or do you just need the drive unit?

my boat currently has the factory power assisted cable steering.  which I have the sportpilot installed on.   boat is 22.5ft

Bayliner 2252 Sierra Express Cruiser hardtop with a Merc V6

I have a 2252 witch is very similar to this boat.  Awesome boat for erie and Ontario.  hope your sale goes through.  who did your stringers and transom?

I may be selling my sportpilot this spring.  Im in the process of installing hydraulic steering on the boat.  if it all goes well the Sportpilot will be up for bid.

Im highly considering switching the steering is my boat from rack -and-pinion / hydraulic assisted cable steering to a SeaStar hydraulic steering setup.  The Raymarine Sportpilot gets the job done, but I don't like how it makes my manual steering feel.

The boat is a Bayliner 2252 Express cruiser hard top with a Merc V6 and Alpha 1 outdrive.  Seastar gave me the part numbers for the new helm and hydraulic ram.  And Im going purchase a Type 1 pump from Raymarine and integrate it into my Raymarine Evolution 200 autopilot electronics.

My question for you guys is this...what do I do with the power assisting "pump/pulley" on my motor?  I will no longer need it to power the factory "assist cylinder".  That gets removed and replaced with the new hydraulic ram.  Do I have to remove a pulley or get a smaller belt to remove the factory power assisted steering mechanics?

my 220 swift vaporizes those rodents

Im looking to rig my boat with some Cisco manual reels and pulleys.  Are the Aurora Lite boards worth the additional cost over the Amish Outfitters boards?  Im looking to primarily pull 3-4 rods off of lead core off each board.  And occasionally 2-3 rods of copper off each board when I can make it up to salmon fish.

For fiberglass boats you can't beat "On and Off".  I pour it into a spray bottle.  Spray the hull.  Lightly agitate with a sponge.  And just spray it off.  Hull looks brand new.  But it does strip the wax off.  So you need to apply some Fleet Wax when you're done.

FWIW, Bar Keepers Friend will work just as well for small areas.  It contains the same acid.

I ordered some salt water tackle from ColdWater.  Big reel and surf rod, drum rigs, etc.  All came nicely packaged and complete.  But thanks for the warning.  Ill 2nd the guys at FishUsa in Erie.  Those guys are top notch.  I place my orders online, and pick them  up at the warehouse on my way up from Pittsburgh.  Great company to deal with.  

walleye don't require very specialized gear.  that reel will do just fine.