Stupid ?

[JakeyBaby]

How do I know if my boat has mechanical or hydr. steering? I know i should know this but I honsetly have no clue. My boat is 215 Chris Craft Sea Hawk with a 3.7L 4cyl. 180Mercruiser engine. I do know that there is a belt driven power steering pump if that helps at all.

Thanks Matt

[LongLine]

Maybe turn the wheel with engine off then turn the wheel with engine on? Kind of like power steering? (Pump could be for tilt/trim)

Tom B.

(LongLine)

[seasquirrel]

Never saw one with a power steering pump hooked up to the pulley system that didnt have power steering. Never saw one set up to run power trim that way either.

[Xxx]

If you have a power steering pump assy. with a belt running from the pump assy. down to the crank pully then you have power steering , or a snow plow on the front of your boat, because that is the only other thing I ever saw run off of the power steering pump, the Dodge snow comanders in the early 80's used this type of set up, they used this setup instead of a electric moter to run the plow pump

[lost a lure]

You been hittin grandpas cough medicine again?

[JakeyBaby]

My ? was not if i had power steering because i know that i do. It was how to tell what style i had? should there be visable cables i could see with a machanical? I was told you can have a power steering to assist mechanical steering. And i also thought the power steering pump would aid the hyrd. steering? Man i guess this was a stupid question

[lost a lure]

Not a stupid question. Look behind the helm. If it has hoses it's hydraulic. If you see a cable it's mechanical. If you have the belt driven pump it's power assisted.

[lakebound88]

I'm going to assume with that boat, you have a steering that is cable driven, hydraulic assist. Unless someone had done the upgrade. With your size engine, should be able to look behind your engine and see the hydraulic cylinder assisting the steeering cable ram to the inside control ARM in the transom for the outdrive..

Nick

[ Post made via Android ]

[hooknup]

Sounds like mech power assist. This is the same setup I have in my searay amberjack. Like previous replys. You probably have a power steering pump that assists the cable system. If you had a hydraulic system there would be lines directly to the steering wheel.

[Legacy]

you have mechanical steering w/ power assist.

[JakeyBaby]

Thanks alot for the info guys!! now I look for an autopilot form my boat, since the boat i wanted to buy sold on me!!