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-   -   Full Hydraulic Steering Conversion (https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/restorations-upgrades/386899-full-hydraulic-steering-conversion.html)

Griff 11-17-2025 01:47 PM


Originally Posted by MyIsland3 (Post 4938674)
I’m curious if that drive cooler, being tapped into the water line on the bravo would hurt the water flow to the impeller and starve the engine cooling in any way. I see the boat in the photo has dedicated water pickups.

Thanks,
Chris

You only want to tap into the outdrive water jacket if you have separate thru hull water pick ups for the engine

MyIsland3 11-17-2025 06:52 PM

Thanks guys! Makes sense.

sunset bar 11-17-2025 08:00 PM

Yes and it also lets water to go thru the drive

Drake22.250 11-18-2025 03:57 AM

Teague sells a bad ass dual water pick up that incorporates the drain plug if anyone had to add pick ups. Bob's proud of them though. :D

Rookie 11-18-2025 08:04 PM


Originally Posted by Brad Christy (Post 4938476)
That’s what I keep hearing. The CFO isn’t convinced, but I think she will be.

Has she ever driven the boat?
She'd notice the difference.

Brad Christy 11-18-2025 08:15 PM


Originally Posted by Rookie (Post 4938787)
Has she ever driven the boat?
She'd notice the difference.

Rookie,

Shes driven the boat many times. Just not with hydraulic steering…. Yet. Unfortunately, she’s not so much of a visionary, and has her doubts as to the difference it will make. I have faith she’ll notice the difference.

Thanks. Brad.

Brad Christy 11-18-2025 08:20 PM


Originally Posted by Drake22.250 (Post 4938714)
Teague sells a bad ass dual water pick up that incorporates the drain plug if anyone had to add pick ups. Bob's proud of them though. :D

Drake,

Got a link? I just browsed the website and didn’t see anything that looks like what you’ve described.

Thanks. Brad.

Brad Christy 11-21-2025 02:38 PM

Guys,

A little progress….

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...53dab43dd.jpeg
Drill jig to ensure positive placement of holes, square to the dash.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...92a3489a8.jpeg
Holes drilled for helm. I’ll have to make a bezel to cover the holes from the old helm.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...553c8410c.jpeg
Transom bulkhead holes drilled.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...24d0d4b74.jpeg
I had to relocate my MerCathode.


Now to just epoxy all the newly found raw wood and prep for finish assembly.

Thanks. Brad.

Brad Christy 11-22-2025 09:00 AM

Guys,

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d7919a6d6.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...5acb960aa.jpeg
Man…. That was a LOT of work for nothing but a test fit and photo op. That orbital valve is farqing HEAVY. :faint2:

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a7fb8da1d.jpeg
My MOMO won’t fit securely anymore. Not really sure why. My guess is the bore in the steering column is different than the old helm. Gonna have to modify the washer ring to allow it to sink in a bit further. Or just make a new one, have it powder coated the same illusion purple as the rest of the trim, along with the other pcs I’m gonna have done, and call it custom. :cool:

Thanks. Brad.

Brad Christy 11-23-2025 05:02 PM

Guys,

A little more progress.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f6b9d9a01.jpeg
Test fit for bezel to cover old helm mounting holes.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...6c74911dc.jpeg
The final stackup, give or take. Kinda aggravating. If I’d measured the thickness of the dash, and accounted for it, I could have made the bezel thicker and covered the gap. Since I’m going have the supplied “bezel” and the one I made powder coated, this will leave a thin silver ring that will look like it doesn’t belong. 🫤 I could make another one. I just don’t feel like it. Ask me again tomorrow….

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...81cd6914d.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c749bcd57.jpeg
Steering wheel center cap. It will be powder coated, with a PQ logo laser engraved on it.

Also got three of the four hydraulic hoses fished through the hull this afternoon. Somehow, I ran out of hose with the last section too short to run the distance. Prolly over allowing for length. I’d rather have to cut it off again than have to re-fish another length through. So now I get to buy another length of hose. Off to the ParkerStore I go. Hopefully they have some equivalent hose on hand. I’m sure I can get some from Hardin if not.

Thanks. Brad.


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