Hydraulic Steering retrofit?

[Matthew R. Snyder]

Dad wants me to put hydraulic steering on his 20 Alaskan/115 four stroke Yamaha... The Bay Star system looks simple enough, and like the steering arm end of the contraption will be able to move up and down freely with the jack plate. Anyone here ever put one on? Can you recommend any good ideas/mistakes to avoid?

 

[Brad Bortner]

I have both a jackplate and hydraulic steering on Bankes and 115 hp Yamaha. It all works great but be careful tilting your engine all the way up when the jackplate is down. You can bend the steering tab on the engine. Its a $10 replacement so you won't break the bank. However you might break the transom, jackplate, mount or pinch the gas or electric lines or control cables if you aren't careful.

 

[Matthew R. Snyder]

As it is now there's plenty of room between the drag link and the splash well (no chance of it hitting)... does the hydraulic cylinder diminish that clearance any?

 

[Brad Bortner]

As you can see, the jackplate isn't all the way down. But when it is down the hydraulic cylinder for the steering could hit the top of the transom at full tilt. That is the only time it gets close to interfering with the clearance on anything. You'll love the steering.