On my 2000 38 I have Hydraulic steering, it is not "full helm hydraulic steering" though. Im about to up the HP and Im being told by some of my know it all firends that I need to up grade to full helm hydraulic steering.

What is the differrence?

I know that around 80 you need hydraulic steering, but do you need full helm?

Who knows and if I do need it, how much is this going to cost me?

I went through this same issue. First off I would not agree about the HP difference and the need for "full" to helm Hydraulics although the rule of thumb is anything above 70 should have external. BUT if your steering has as much play as mine did 7" believe it or not I felt for safety and just having it the way it should of been in the first place that it was worth the expense. I'm guessing but I think it will take close to $2000.00 to go to the helm. I was lucky enough to have a friend with the helm unit and able to do the install on my own.
One very valuable piece of info I can give you is don't let everyone convince you that you need a separate reservoir not all the systems do and mine worked flawlessly from day one without it.


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(419) 621-7770

I had my helm unit let loose on a rough day on lake Erie....I had "Add-On"
I never will again...Always full for me !!!
2k..if you pay to have it done...Did mine myself...about $700

What do you mean you had "add on"?
How hard/easy is it to add full helm myself ??
For 700. I would do that

Had the add-on on my last boat. Full hyd on current boat.
I don't see the safety difference between the as the external rams still do the same thing. Only difference I notice is that the add-on was stiffer at idle. Otherwise, both rock solid. My drive was tight. Possibly my cable and rest were not worn any????

The add-on is just the 2 external rams tied into the stock PS hyd system. Still uses all the normal cable assisted hyd valve at the inside transom assembly. My buddies PQ is the same way from PQ--- Lathem add-on.
Installing the rams is the hardest part. Basically, now you just remove your steering cable, helm and replace with Hyd helm and run lines and add a filter.

probably not a huge problem for you, but keep in mind you will loose tilt steering with a full hydraulic system.

CHECK OUT WWW.EVERETTPERFORMANCE.COM YOU CAN GET A TILT HELM WITH FULL HYDRAULIC STEERING. I'M SURE THERE ARE OTHER COMPANIES OUT THERE ALSO. GOOD LUCK I'M LOOKING TO UPGRADE ALSO. JUST MY OPINION BUT NEVER SPARE EXPENSE WHEN IT CONCERNS THE SAFETY OF YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES.

WWW.EDDIEMARINE.COM ALSO WWW.TRICKMARINE.NET HAS THE ZIEGER PRODUCTS TILT HELM NOT SURE WHAT IT COMES WITH BUT THE $$ IS AROUND $879.00 NO PUN INTENDED BUT I HOPE THIS STEERS YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. WWW.CPPERFORMANCE.COM HAS THE HARDIN TILT HELM ROUGHLY THE SAME $$ AS ABOVE

It realy wasnt bad. Helm unit {And yes, you can get tilt} resovoir bottle. Have to fish the hoses to the helm.

Like i said...The rotary helm unit let loose on me..The steering just spun freely..NO STEERING...Had to get towed back. Speed is not the only thing to look at...size {weight} of boat & type of water matter also. Check with XS marine or Fred at trick for the parts cost & have a local Hyd. shop make up the lines for you...Did mine in a day...Plus it does feel better without the slop from the cable

i stand corrected