Great Lakes Bass Fishing Forum

I just bought my first boat with Hydraulic steering..I don't know a thing about this system..I ran it a few times in the fall and everything felt fine...I am going to get some sea star oil and make sure it is topped off and inspect the hoses..(can I get this at wonderland?).Is there anything else I should look for...This is on a 97 Jag hooked up to a 225 rude vindicator..Also the steering wheel is 180 degrees off....Do I just need to pull the wheel to line it up or could something else be wrong???

Hydraulic steering is great!  You will love it.  Not much maint to worry about.  Check the fluid level, and when you are wiping the boat down look at the fittings for leaks.

If the steering wheel is off, it is probably how the wheel is bolted to the steering column.  The hydraulic system has no idea what the orientation of the steering wheel is, it is just a pump that pushes fluid based on your mechanical input.

I have only ever had one problem with my steering.  It was during the blastoff of the first day of a BFL regional.  I went to make a fairly sharp turn at WOT and NOTHING happend when I turned the wheel.  The boat then began to hook (steering itself).  I got it stopped without hitting anything.  Turned out that a fitting went bad on the seastar unit and leaked all of the fluid out.  There was still fluid in the cylinder, so the motor held straight (not like a broken cable).  The tech at the Ranger trailer fixed me up and I was back in business.

Overall, great system!

Seth

Thanks for the info..I have heard a few horror stories..I am going to give the Hydraulics a good close inspection and all should be good..

Don't bother aligning the steering wheel.  The hydraulic steering doesn't have a mechanical linkage from wheel to motor to keep the alignment.  The wheel will constantly drift one way or the other (usually to the left if you run WOT a lot).

smbassman is correct about the steering wheel position (thats why alot of companies have switched to a non directional wheel).  If you need fluid, we have it in stock.  You shouldn't have to add any.  If you do there is a good chance that you have a small leak.  If you have any questions, feel free to give me a call.
Rob
800-226-3050