Hello,
I am needing help with a new to me boat I just picked up. I have a 2007 Sunsation 288 with a bravo one x that utilizes a cable steering system that transitions into a steering assist cylinder/power steering. At the steering wheel, I feel like there is excessive rotation of the wheel before any movement at the outdrive. I have checked all linkages and they are tight, no pin wear, so it had me questioning what is “normal”. Being a performance boat, good steering control is a must and I do not like what I am feeling right now. Any ideas? I guess the cable could stretch, but it seems unlikely with this system. The steering is perfectly smooth, just unhappy with the steering wheel play.

all cable systems have play in them, that is why everyone with a fast boat runs full hydraulic steering. if you drive a boat with all new everything with a cable and then drive one with hydraulic steering you will never go back to cable. cables do wear and the tiller and pin wear causing some extra play but a cable system with never feel "tight", they are fine for 50 mph runabouts but they are what they are.

What kit would be needed to replace the cable steering system currently? I’ve seen plenty of options online, but hydraulic steering on a boat is new to me.

You have half what you need, just need the helm and run hose from the helm to the engine bay. Some sites sell kits for this conversion

Any chance you could help me out with that link? Currently it has that steering assist cylinder which has two power steering hoses running to it. Everything I am seeing online requires an external steering cylinder and I would prefer not to do that unless absolutely necessary.

JWilliams,

Do you have an external hydraulic cylinder or the standard hydraulic steering actuator attached to a tiller arm inside the transom?

If you have the actuator, you have the standard cable system. This is what you really want....

Hydraulic Steering Conversion

Mayfair Steering Kit

Believe me, you'll not regret it.

Thanks. Brad.

I have the standard cylinder attached to the tiller arm in the transom.

JWilliams,

What engine you have in your Sunny? The BravoX would indicate you have some power. I’m guessing you’re approaching 70MPH, or even over it. Full hydraulic steering is definitely sound investment, in both time and money. Even in the short amount of time I’ve got on mine since the conversion, I can really tell the difference. Before, when I would take a tighter than usual turn at any real speed, I could feel the azz of the boat trying to slip out from under me. I always credited it to the stepped hull, as they tend to make them a little slippery on the water. But since doing the conversion, there is no fishtailing. My guess is there was enough play in the system that, when the azz wanted to go, the drive would lay over and allow it to. That is gone. I’ve also heard/read that a lot of chine walk is due to this play in the steering. I have not had a chance to stand on mine yet, pending some tuning to be done after a cam swap, so jury is still out on that, but I’m hopeful.

Thanks. Brad.

I lost speed adding hydraulic steering on my Panther. It settled the hull down. No more chine walking or porpoising any longer. Loose is fast, but not good in your steering.

Told ya you'd love it!!!