Next weekend I would like to knock out the plumbing for my hydraulic steering. My helm uses 1/2 npt fittings. I need to size this down to 3/8" fittings. My questions is there are several different options. NPT, SAE, and JIC. NPT seems to be the most common and easy to find of the 3. However it seems that Lathem, IMCO, Mayfair use either JIC or SAE. Are NPT more apt to have issues such as leaking?

Does anyone know what Mercury uses for their fittings. It is either JIC or SAE, i really don't feel like buying the wrong fittings if someone knows what they use.

I got frustrated with my local hyd. shop so I just ordered most of my stuff direct from Imco. They have the nice brass nickel plated fittings too. I used a SAE fittings on all my inside hoses up to the helm and JIC fittings on the rams.

Stopped up to say happy Mother's Day for you today on Harley. Thought you might be around.

You would think that finding reusable hydraulic connections would be easy. Even online the choices are slim.

I got back from Tampa to late on Friday. I'll be up this weekend for sure. Did you buy a Harley? Did you check out the float and roll system for putting the boat lifts in? It's pretty slick!

lol let ,me know what you come up with...Im plumbing a system next week

This is a fairly good source for fittings and hose. As of now this is most likely where I'm going to get my stuff.

www.dultmeier.com