895 Steering

[westboating]

Team,

     I know there are a few conversations addressing the steering set up, but I'd like to hear from y'all on your situation and any remedies you may have tried. 

My 2019 NC 895 has 2x Yamaha 200's with 2 sea star hydraulic cylinders connected with a tie rod and a sea star helm pump.  The cylinders are 8.34 cu in each and the helm pump is 2.0 cu in per rev, which gives me a forearm burning 8.34 turns lock to lock.  I know i chatted with Capt Lynn and his single has 3-4 turns, but what about the rest of you outboard Jeanneau folks?

Thanks

West

[bluedart]

I had the same issue.  You need a bigger helm pump for the duel steering rods.

i traded in the boat for a leader 9.0 with twin 250 and only one steering pump.  much better and more responsive.   i also put in auto pilot which is very handy 

[westboating]

So, it looks like all the MI boats have shown up with 2 steering cylinders.  Each cylinder is 8.34 cuin and the pump pushes 2.0/turn ergo 8.4 turns lock to lock.  

Can I get you to look at the helm pump and cylinder on your rig and let me know.  Our current game plan is to remove a cylinder from the set up and see how the system works with one cylinder and the existing 2.0 pump.

As for the rest of our 895 community, does anyone have a European build 895 with a single steering cylinder for 2 200s?

Thank You

[thehammer]

I have a EU boat with single set-up on 2 x 225. This is a LS-France.com steering system. I have not counted my revs, but will check tomorrow.

[westboating]

Thank you.  I think all the NC 895s made in Michigan have the same 2 cylinder set up.

[alexrom]

Crossposting here:

I'm not happy with the steering as well (2xF200). Stumbled upon this doc and from page 12 it looks like dual-cylinder setup without power assist is expected to have ~8 turns. Upgrade to 2.4cu and add Power Assist should improve the situation. I'm currently clarifying and estimating what would it cost me to go through it.

[westboating]

The 2.4 pump will take you from 8.3 turns down to 6.9 turns.  I think we're going to remove a cylinder and try it out, and if its too heavy at the helm, then we'll either return it to the original configuration or add a power steering pump.

[alexrom]

I was scheduling an appointment to my service center and explained to them the issue and a possible remedy. And I was told that SeaStar Alignment Valve supposed to solve this issue in dual cylinder setups. Checked the docs and it looks reasonable. Also, PA setups need this unit too. Willing to try

[thehammer]

A bit late reply, since i forgot to check every time I have been out boating.

My "stop to stop" is 6.7 turns.

[alexrom]

So I went through this process with the valve and power assist. 

The valve was a wrong idea. Single PA can't move it and another PA pump is required to work with the second cylinder. Scratch that idea. Thanks to Amazon for refund convenience

The power assist pump is installed and running as expected: smooth like butter. Totally different story. Definitely recommend. 
Even tho it didn't reduce amount of turns lock-to-lock, it made it less annoying and more predictable.

But I still want to get to 4 turns setup. The next step is to replace helm pump with 2.4cu. I'll keep you posted.

[westboating]

I think the system will work on a single cylinder.  I've seen boats with slightly smaller twin OB motors with a single steering cylinder.  The force at the helm would go up, but the question is how significant would the increase be, and with the pump assist, would it even be noticeable.

[morrisond]

Hi - I have an 895 Sport on Order with Hydraulic's as well.  I'm coming from an 795 Series with a Verado 250 V8 with Power Steering that I find fantastic(the Steering).

I'm guessing I'm not going to like the hydraulic steering based on what you are all saying, plus my boat has the tilt steering column.

Yamaha makes a retrofit kit to add on Power Steering to the engines.  

Forgive my ignorance on the following question - I assume the Hydraulics can be stripped out.  

Is it relatively easy to replace the steering column?  I'm assuming there is one specific to Yamaha?  Is this an Yamaha part or does someone else make it?

What about for the Mercury power steering system?

Thanks

[morrisond]

Problem solved.  My dealer has the EPS kits in Stock and a new Steering Column and is giving me credit for the hydraulics he is stripping out.