2006 44DA Power Steering

Mark Silverman

Mark Silverman

Member
Aug 23, 2020
38
Long Island, NY
Boat Info
2006 44DA
Engines
QSC500
I just purchased a 2006 44 Sundancer. I find the steering is somewhat difficult and the owners packet claims the boat has power steering. I did find an owners manual / instructions for the SeaStar Power Assist unit but can not find any sort of pump besides the auto pilot. There are two lines from rear cylinder that lead to the auto pilot pump, and then three lines off the pump that disappear into a conduit that I assume goes towards the helm. Can anyone shed some light on the steering system for this boat?
Thanks,
Mark
 
We just bought the same model/year boat. I assume the power steering unit was an option as ours doesn’t have it either. Just the autopilot pump in that location also.

That being said, ours steers beautifully. Can turn the wheel with one finger at any speed. I’d check your rudder posts and/or fluid in the steering system...

Keep in mind, we came out of a ‘95 330DA with cable steering so perhaps our version of “easy” steering is different than yours....
 
Mark Silverman said:
I just purchased a 2006 44 Sundancer. I find the steering is somewhat difficult and the owners packet claims the boat has power steering. I did find an owners manual / instructions for the SeaStar Power Assist unit but can not find any sort of pump besides the auto pilot. There are two lines from rear cylinder that lead to the auto pilot pump, and then three lines off the pump that disappear into a conduit that I assume goes towards the helm. Can anyone shed some light on the steering system for this boat?
Thanks,
Mark
Click to expand...

What you describe sounds like the typical seastar hydraulic steering. The third line from the autopilot pump is the supply from the helm and how the air (when bleeding the autopilot pump) gets back to the helm. Firstly, check to see if you have fluid in your sump just behind the steering wheel. But normally, when air is introduced into the system (for whatever reason) there wiil be times when the wheel would kind of "freewheel" for 30-90 degrees rotation.

If you are one who likes to do their own maintenance, you might try bleeding some fluid through the cylinder. It's pretty easy to do with some vinyl tubing and a couple of small hose clamps. You will need the SeaStar fluid bottle adapter... I couldn't quite figure out the bottle cap adapter piece without the potential for a huge mess at the helm.
 
Mark Silverman said:
I just purchased a 2006 44 Sundancer. I find the steering is somewhat difficult and the owners packet claims the boat has power steering. I did find an owners manual / instructions for the SeaStar Power Assist unit but can not find any sort of pump besides the auto pilot. There are two lines from rear cylinder that lead to the auto pilot pump, and then three lines off the pump that disappear into a conduit that I assume goes towards the helm. Can anyone shed some light on the steering system for this boat?
Thanks,
Mark
Click to expand...

I had an 06 44 Sundancer and the pump was on the starboard side near the water heater. The boat was very easy to steer.
 
If you have the Seastar manual, the one that says "try it our way first" on the front. The manual is very good at describing how to bleed the system. I found the bottle adapter on Amazon, WM had it, twice the price. I also had good luck speaking to the Seastar rep on the phone.
 
Thanks for the replies on my steering issue. I will try bleeding the system. I have another question. I have noticed the drive shafts on my 44DA do not have shaft anodes on them and I was told by the former owner not put any on this particular model boat. Is it true that the 440DA does get shaft zincs?
 
Mark Silverman said:
I just purchased a 2006 44 Sundancer. I find the steering is somewhat difficult and the owners packet claims the boat has power steering. I did find an owners manual / instructions for the SeaStar Power Assist unit but can not find any sort of pump besides the auto pilot. There are two lines from rear cylinder that lead to the auto pilot pump, and then three lines off the pump that disappear into a conduit that I assume goes towards the helm. Can anyone shed some light on the steering system for this boat?
Thanks,
Mark
Click to expand...
You describe the steering as 'somewhat difficult'. When does this happen? What does it do? or not do?

If you're comparing to previous boats, what were they? Did they have outdrives? Are you comparing the feel of the wheel or the boats response to your steering inputs?

I ask this because when I first got my 420DA I was very unhappy, I thought something had to be wrong with it. I ran out and bought a couple quarts of the most expensive oil in the world, SeaStar oil. I was going to bleed the system, etc. I envisioned spending big bucks on a whole new system before it was over.
 
I have had several Sea Rays, a 540DA just before this. While on plane at cruise speed, (2300rpm-23 knots) the boat is difficult to steer when off auto pilot, and has a HUGE turning radius, wheel is hard to turn. At slow speed, all is fine. I have never had a boat steer like this. It does not have the SeaStar power assist option. The boat was recently surveyed for purchase and the rudders are aligned properly. I am definitely looking for suggestions as to what to look for.
 
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