Full Hydraulic Steering Conversion
#21
You only want to tap into the outdrive water jacket if you have separate thru hull water pick ups for the engine
#26
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 2,124
From: SW Ohio
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.
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.
#27
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 2,124
From: SW Ohio
#28
Thread Starter
VIP Member

Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 2,124
From: SW Ohio
Guys,
A little progress….

Drill jig to ensure positive placement of holes, square to the dash.

Holes drilled for helm. I’ll have to make a bezel to cover the holes from the old helm.

Transom bulkhead holes drilled.

I had to relocate my MerCathode.
Now to just epoxy all the newly found raw wood and prep for finish assembly.
Thanks. Brad.
A little progress….

Drill jig to ensure positive placement of holes, square to the dash.

Holes drilled for helm. I’ll have to make a bezel to cover the holes from the old helm.

Transom bulkhead holes drilled.

I had to relocate my MerCathode.
Now to just epoxy all the newly found raw wood and prep for finish assembly.
Thanks. Brad.
Last edited by Brad Christy; 11-22-2025 at 07:51 AM.
#29
Thread Starter
VIP Member

Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 2,124
From: SW Ohio
Guys,


Man…. That was a LOT of work for nothing but a test fit and photo op. That orbital valve is farqing HEAVY.

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.
Thanks. Brad.


Man…. That was a LOT of work for nothing but a test fit and photo op. That orbital valve is farqing HEAVY.


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.

Thanks. Brad.
#30
Thread Starter
VIP Member

Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 2,124
From: SW Ohio
Guys,
A little more progress.

Test fit for bezel to cover old helm mounting holes.

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….


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.
A little more progress.

Test fit for bezel to cover old helm mounting holes.

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….


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.
Last edited by Brad Christy; 11-23-2025 at 05:05 PM.






