Low Cost Tilt Steering

[Putershark]

Took a while for me to find this again on the Sea Star site, but for you all (mostly 2003 and older 210's and 190's) that have fixed mounted steering yet HATE the angle of it (like I did on our old 210) there is a fix...

One can install a OEM 20 degree wedge plate (I recommend dealer install since the sytem has to be bleed afterwards) for the steering pump. Now I don't know if this plate works on the no feedback systems? but it makes a world of differance in helm position and I used the 1st configuration pictured on our old 210 to save on space behind the helm.

20° Wedge Kit Part #HA5419 & HA5408 c/w Drain Kit

This kit is designed to mount the helm at a 20° angle to the mounting surface. 4 possible mounting configurations are available.

For this configuration
use HA5408


Then install a 13.5 inch Schmitt helm wheel with a "inside the spoke" speed knob (saves the privates when standing up) and you can start pitching bodies out of the boat in high speed turns if your not careful



The new helm position (why I now have tilt) and the speed knob will make docking and recovery on windy days much eaiser. It also makes it nice when digging through the turns on some narrow backwater creek when enguaged in some "jungle warfare" hunting for Reds and Snook

Here is the OEM link for some more information

http://ww2.seastarsteering.com/HELMS/S_Helm.htm

Just click on the home page link on the bottom of that page to get more information if needed...

Enjoy and Hang on!
Dave

[Putershark]

I just updated the links on this post again so older Triumph and Logic owners can find this information since Sea Star rebuilt their web site. For a 210 without tilt like we had, this was a real nice upgrade to have and really gives you a lot more control over your boat

Dave

[Genelie]

2 questions...# 1 where do you buy it at....# 2 you say it allows you to perform better, such as parking and manuvering in tight place's how's that. Is it because you are able to reach the wheel better??, as for me I am tall, the existing postion is about at my belt top of the wheel that is.

[Putershark]

I see you must not have spent much time driving tractors, fork lifts, and skiffs as a kid So to answer both of your questions buddy...

#1 Where to find it, well that search took me all of 0.32 seconds using the Google Tool Bar for I.E. and I secured both the cost and stocking level in 3 clicks http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/TEL/TELHA5419.html Trust me it truly is the information age "IF" you have the right tools (Google Tool Bar for the down and dirt searches, and Copernic Agent for the hard to find stuff) I will make another posting in the PC section using this as an perfect example of how to find something "real fast" on your PC and though I make it look easy, many times it is knowing "how" to search that can make all the difference in world... In this case (using logic) I searched using the "Part Number" for that is much faster to drill down in many cases and find information then using a word or string of words for searching... Oh and one other thing about the Google Tool bar, it has a built in spell checker for web forums just like this

#2 By changing the angle of attack on the helm and having an speed knob, you can spin the helm much faster and change directions of the boat (stern) very fast by being able to spin the helm in opposite directions in split seconds. I can spin a helm much faster with a knob than you ever could using your hands and since the older 210 and current stock 190's have a vertical helm, that only makes the problem even worse... So by getting the wheel flatter (more horizontal) I can spin the wheel back and forth with my one arm instead of both of my shoulders going hand over hand. This also leaves my other arm "free" to shift the throttle forward and aft for docking maneuvers.

Another thing to remember and pending how you are built (only wish my 401k would grow as fast as my waist line ) is by tilting the wheel flatter, you will loose some space behind the console... No big deal for "most people" cause the the upgrade to the smaller wheel will give you back that space and remember, to make sure your new helm wheel has the "knob" inside the spokes Unless of course, you are done having kids If needed, go to your local dealer and stand behind one of the newer 210 /215's with tilt, move the helm so it is pretty much flat, and see how it feels... Then factor in the smaller wheel (13.5 inches instead of 15 in most cases) and see how you like it... No need to spend the money for the upgrade if it will not work for you.

Lastly, many times I will drive down to the local ramp to "Watch the Show" and see the most common mistake many make when docking and that is "Coming in too Hot" (too fast) thus, they cannot make the needed direction changes to factor in the for the wind and tides fast enough, and look more like a tennis ball bouncing in and out of the docks instead of a smooth controlled docking. Maybe it was those years in the Coast Guard and NOT wanting to fix or paint (again) something from crashing into the docks, but I crawl and bounce in an out of idle as I near one. Having the speed knob and a smaller helm while allowing me a free hand for the throttle, also allows me to make minor speed and direction changes that the "stock" configuration greatly hampers...

Hope this helps?
Dave

[Genelie]

Now that is a good explaination. I will have to check out the new boats and see how she feels ..thanks.

[Putershark]

I found on my PC tonight, some shots that I just posted of how that update went on our old 210 so you can now see how it looked.

Dave