steering?

THE YANKEE 2

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I just purchased a 272 Sailfish, there's an oil fill cap on the base of the steering wheel. Can anyone tell me what type of fluid goes in this reservoir? And what type power assist steering does this boat have? This is our maiden voyage:)
 
seastar hydraulic fluid (assuming it's teleflex). not sure if you have power assist or not. post the year and someone may be able to help. also, it's pretty easy to tell; if the effort is the same with the engine on or off, you don't have power assist. ron
 
When you get a quart of the Seastar fluid, skip getting the 19 dollar fill tube.

Get on of those epoxy syringes. This will allow you to slowly top off the fluid without making a mess.
Bring the level up high enough so you can see just below the threads.
 
thanks everyone....it is a 1995 272 saifisf with twin 200 evinrude ocean pros....and yes the steering is the same motors on or off.....also hoping the a/c works...previous owner never tried....fan works and compressor kicks on when I flip to cool....big weekend first trip out on it and staying aboard...just sold a nice 300 sundancer searay to get this boat...wife really loved searay so hoping everything goes good this first trip!
 
THE YANKEE 2 said:
thanks everyone....it is a 1995 272 saifisf with twin 200 evinrude ocean pros....and yes the steering is the same motors on or off.....also hoping the a/c works...previous owner never tried....fan works and compressor kicks on when I flip to cool....big weekend first trip out on it and staying aboard...just sold a nice 300 sundancer searay to get this boat...wife really loved searay so hoping everything goes good this first trip!

So, new to you boat, Fourth of July weekend, you don't know what equipment you have nor if it works. hmmmm
This is why I don't go out on holiday weekends.
 
For 30Marlin,

Good tip on the syringe. I have a question, though. Once you remove the cap and top it off, do you need to bleed/purge the system? Is it a pressurized system, or can you just put the cap back on and be done?

Thanks for your knowledge.

Swamp Grizz
 
to the wise guy who posted I am new to boating........ou are wrong sir. I have been boating for more than 20 plus years and this new boat is much smaller than the last.....i just had asimple question bout a little fill cap on top of colum of steering wheel.....but I am glad to hear you will be staying home this weekend that will be one less person I have to keep my eyes on will navigating the water ways.....hope you have a very miserable 4th of july weekend!
 
The system is not a pressurized system. If the steering is working without any lag or slow response, it most likely does not need bleeding. I would keep an eye out for leaks, especially right at the steering wheel. The Telex steering systems seem to suffer from gasket failure right where the outer seal is located. Don't worry, it doesn't usually fail quickly just begins to leak and gradually increases with use. I think you can only buy the entire seal kit now instead of just that individual gasket. It's not hard to repair if your mechanically inclined.
Have a great time with your "New Boat" and enjoy the weekend.
 
THE YANKEE 2 said:
to the wise guy who posted I am new to boating........ou are wrong sir. I have been boating for more than 20 plus years and this new boat is much smaller than the last.....i just had asimple question bout a little fill cap on top of colum of steering wheel.....but I am glad to hear you will be staying home this weekend that will be one less person I have to keep my eyes on will navigating the water ways.....hope you have a very miserable 4th of july weekend!

Actually, I hope you don't:)
 
Getting flamed on your first thread?

If the oil is low, hopefully there is a leak under the helm (it's the cheapest and easiest to fix). The lip seal wears out over time and is easy to fix, you don't even loose that much oil when you replace it.

The A/C wasn't covered in the survey? Check out the condenser side too, there should be a raw water valve, a pump and maybe a strainer.

Welcome to the board and enjoy the boat.
 
Check the cap where you add fluid. you should be able to blow threw it, if you can't replace it because when your boat is in the sun the heat build up causes pressure and the seal will leak. I replaced the seals on my voyager and it still leaked when hot so I found the cap clogged and replaced with no more leak.
Just my thoughts and a very inexpensive fix.
 
the syringe works well for topping off, but if you need to bleed the system or add an autopilot like i did, the teleflex adaptor hose is what you need, especially if you don't have help.
Teleflex or Uflex steering oil is not cheap but a bottle should last a very long time. I keep a bottle on the boat just in case.
 
You will know if it needs fluid - steering will feel like it is skipping or loose - once in a while m system will leak where it connects to the engine. It can be fixed by loosening the connecting nut and then reconnect - do not over tighten - It can be mess so either use the syringe method of the squeeze tube . It does not need to be pressurized. I have foundit to be a very reliable system that requires minimal maintenance,
Good Luck it is a great boat
 
After reading all this, and understanding that the OP has 20 years of experience, I would ask if he purchased this 16-YO vessel without benefit of a professional survey.. Most of his equipment questions would have been answered by spending a bit of time with the surveyor.

Brian
 
thanx to everyone who took the time to help with my very simple question.....to the tidewater president"whatever that meens" yes the boat was surveyed and I do understand the boat 16yrs old.....i just had I question and 1 comment about a/c which works great....all this brings me to the conclusion that I will never ask a question on this site again even if my boat is in the middle of the ocean sinking....to many wise guys and greater than us peeps out there!.....sincerley PRESIDENT OF THE BIG CHIEF POOP IN THE BUTT TRIBE.
 
Yankee please don't judge the site by the smart a-- postings of a few. There are some great people on this site and some are very helpful and some maybe not. There's quite a few on here that want to help fellow grady owners and some stir the pot and I say to them if you don't have a helpful comment keep it to yourself.
Thanks
 
GW VOYAGER said:
Yankee please don't judge the site by the smart a-- postings of a few. There are some great people on this site and some are very helpful and some maybe not. There's quite a few on here that want to help fellow grady owners and some stir the pot and I say to them if you don't have a helpful comment keep it to yourself.
Thanks

Actually they were not ANY smart a$$ postings here. The only one i can see is seasick's but he didn't say "new boater" he said new boat to him, i don't think he insulted him.
And yes, this is a very friendly forum and is NOT THT, lot's of people willing to help and not make smart remarks against others.

As far as Yankee 2 problem, i also think is the cap if the fluid level is O.K.
 
Folks,
I was a tad out of place in my response and I feel bad about it. I had just finished reading about 50 posts on another board where the 'Truth' is often not so true and where it is common to read some unbelievable and scary posts. When I switched over to the Grady forums, I forgot to 'adjust' my posting attitude.
That said, the original poster's responses seem to be somewhat over the top and regardless of what I said, his wishes for me to have a 'miserable 4th' were completely inappropriate in my opinion. I am glad his vessel ran well and wish him the best.
 
The OP responded to my non-personal question about a survey with a nasty response.

I have contributed a lot to this board, and will continue to do so.

I will simply refrain from every responding to this OP again.

Brian