Hi guys. I recently picked up a new project boat and it has a couple of outboards with a fully Hynautic steering system. The boat has been sitting for approximately 3 years. When I turn the steering wheel, it's not smooth and is somewhat "jerky". It takes a couple turns and then the steering seems to work but it's very stiff and certainly not what I expected. Definitely not something I would want to put in the water and try to run.

Does this sound like merely a bleeding system or an indicator of something more significant?

Thanks a bunch......john

Does the reservoir have air pressure? should be 20-30lbs.

Thanks for the reply. Below is a picture of the helm. I can't find a reservoir and wonder if they ever made one without a reservoir (unless I'm completely missing something).

Thanks again...john

I'm not sure what helm that is. I think it might be a Capilano helm. They are normally very smooth and there is no external reservoir. The classic Hynatic helm feels like there are gears in it and there is an external reservoir with air pressure in it.

Pull that red plug and see if it has fluid in it.

that is the same system they run on inboard boats, the helm is the pump, there are a couple models and they use different fluid, one uses seastar fluid, the other ATF, ck model and correct fluid, seastar is almost clear, ATF red, if thats correct guessing a pump rebuild is needed, also one used a air assist and the other does not

We had an issue with a new boat that was brought in with a similar issue. After discussing with the Helm pump MFG'r, it was determined that the helm system was filled with ATF and that the pump was NFG - system required mineral oil based fluid.

This was a cheaper hydraulic helm and not rebuild-able but just went to prove that not all fluids are equal even in a simple pump.

Try this....

https://www.jamestowndistributors.co....do?docId=1088

Wow, thanks guys. I really appreciate it. I'll pull that plug and see if it has fluid in it and what color it is and then go from there.

Well, I crawled under there and pulled the red plug. Stuck a tip of a zip tie down there and didn't get any oil on it till it hit some of the inner workings so it definitely needs fluid. I'm going to add some fluid and try to figure out where my leaks are. Thanks again guys
PS...it's a SeaStar 1275-V