mertens power steering

[goldpistol]

How and where can a guy get mertens power steering to add to a yamaha 90 horse four stroke (tiller of course). Is this something a guy can install himself?

[walleyejohn]

Goldpistol,
Depending upon how handy you are the system for a 90 Yamaha is not very difficult to install. Give Frank Gailloreto at Rock River Marine a call. 608-884-9415 or 608-921-2819. He can give you all the details you need.

walleyejohn

[Hot Runr Guy]

Not sure where you're located, but you can start with Merten Marine at 920-231-6751 (but I think they might be off hunting right now) or call Frank Gailloreto at Rock River Marine at 608-884-9415. Are you looking for the full hydraulic EngineSteer system, or the Titan no-feedback version? Honestly, for a 90, the Titan will do the job just fine
HRG

[toolboy]

If you get ahold of Tim, hopefully you have better luck getting it to install it yourself. I tried for quite some time to convince him I could take care of installation. His response was a definite NO. He kept saying that for insurance reasons, only dealers could install. Let me know if you get better results. Also, I agree that the Titan system would be perfect for your motor.

[Yarrr]

i know a lot of guys will not agree with me but if you can afford to do it get the EngineSteer system. also, let them install it. if you are going to spend the money for the system don't be penny wise and dollar foolish. just my opinion. look at it this way, you deserve it, life is short, etc. good fishing

[Koldfront Kraig]

What state are you in?

[goldpistol]

I live in Iowa. What is the engine steer unit? Not familiar with any of the options.

[Koldfront Kraig]

Enginsteer is the powered version of the tiller steering.

Titan is the non powered version.

For a 90 hp tiller the Titan version would work just fine. Half the cost of the full powered version.

I've had the Titan system on my Yamaha F75 for a year now. It sure makes long runs on rough water more enjoyable.

[goldpistol]

I apologize for my ignorance. How exactly does the Titan steering work if it is non power? I also priced the titan steering system and the price quoted me was $1300 installed. Less $150 if I install. Is that the going price?

[Koldfront Kraig]

I think you'd be better off calling Tim Merten and asking him the details.

As for price, that sounds like the going rate for the Titan system.

I wasn't aware they'd sell it and let people do their own install.

[goldpistol]

I want to thank you all for your input. I guess I will call a higher source for details. Thanks again.

[goldpistol]

If anybody else is knowledgable on the subject would appreciate your input.

[Dodge1]

Grab a cup of coffee and read these posts.

http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117458&highlight=mertens

http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116491&highlight=mertens

http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115559&highlight=mertens

http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115508&highlight=mertens

http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112450&highlight=mertens

FYI, I had the Mertens power steering system on 2 boats and loved it but never did get a chance to try the Titan system. Tim Merten is a great guy and can provide you with all the info you'll need.

[tharder]

Call Tim. He knows his stuff. He'll get you the best product for your boat.

[Trailhound]

I owned the mertens power system and now own the Titan. Both are nice. Both on a Yamaha 90 hp four stroke. If I had to do it over again, I'd put the Mertens system back on. Why?? I've got bad elbows, and at the end of a long day of trolling my arm is sore. You are pushing oil with the Titan system. Same amount of pressure slow or fast. Colder weather it now seems even harder to steer. But at least no steering tourqe when going at high speed and need to trim any place but the sweet spot!! I wasn't aware you could even get the Mertens systems on anything other than a Mercury product. Mercury purchased the Mertens system last year.

[stinkycat]

I have had my Titan system since May 08, on my 75hsp Yamaha. I believe the price that was quoted in my boat package was between $1,000 --- $1,200 installed.

The basics on the none powered system like mine is when you let go of the tiller handle the motor locks in place and will not turn until you move the tiller handle.

Very easy to steer. Absolutely no arm fatigue no matter how long of a run in rough or calm water. Would not own a tiller with out it.

There have been quit a few posts in the past on this subject which you can search for and read through.

Good Luck.

[goldpistol]

Thanks again guys. I appreciate the homework you did for me, Dodge1. I am computer illiterate and appreciate the help. I will call someone in the business for more datailed info. The past sites I checked out were very informative and help with a decision. Never heard anyone that had either the powered or non-powered steer system say anything bad about either. I guess in conclusion, sounds like the non-power steer is the only option for me, because I have a yamaha. I just purchased this boat. Had a chance to buy a boat with a mercury opti that had the mertens power steer on it, but took a 90 horse opti for a spin and decided I liked the quietness of the yamaha better. There are those that told me the opi is not that much noisier than the yamaha. I strongly disagree. Liked the snappiness of the opti, but had to opt for the less noisy.

[Hot Runr Guy]

Goldpistol,
When I was at the Mertens shop a month or so ago, the pieces still existed for you to get a full-power system for your Yamaha. The deal with Mercury allows them to sell the Enginesteer system until the parts stock runs out. So, if that's what you really want, get on the phone tomorrow and get your order in.
HRG

[goldpistol]

Thanks hotrunrguy. I talked to the yarcraft dealer in Wisconsin and that is what he told me earlier. I guess after reading all the info on this site, I come to the conclusion he was wrong. Thanks for clearing that up for me. By the way that yarcraft dealer I visited with in hudson, Wisconsin (Dry Doc) sounded like a super guy. Didn't have a used car salesman attitude.

[Hot Runr Guy]

Goldpistol,
Did you get the PM (private message) I sent you yesterday?
HRG

[Burr]

You can't get a Merten's Power tiller steering system any longer. It has been sold, and only available on Mercury.

The Titan system mentioned is your only option, and completely acceptable with the 90 Yamaha. As mentioned, have it installed by one of his dealers.

The way the non-powered system works is basically oil, cylinders, and valves.

[Koldfront Kraig]

You can't get a Merten's Power tiller steering system any longer. It has been sold, and only available on Mercury.

The Titan system mentioned is your only option, and completely acceptable with the 90 Yamaha. As mentioned, have it installed by one of his dealers.

The way the non-powered system works is basically oil, cylinders, and valves.



There are companies and dealerships that stocked up before the Merc deal.

I think you need to call around and ask though.

[goldpistol]

Hotrunrguy, I am sorry. I am computer illiterate. Just learning to navigate through this site. I spent my whole life fishing and hunting with work always getting in the way (of course). Sitting in front of the computer has just now been introduced into my life and that is mostly for business use. I just lately started useing it for recreation. I was looking for a different boat and my nephew told of these various search sites and I kind of got sucked in. Any way my point is I wouldn't know where to find the private message you sent me. You all quit laughing at me. I am a dinasour and am just trying to enter this computer age. My email is coldwaterkennel@hotmail.com if you would like to email me with the private message. Would be appreciated. Thank you for your patients and taking time to help me out. All you guys sound like you would be fun to get together with and go fishing. Do you guys ever get together with each other for a few days of fishing? I think that would be a blast.

[goldpistol]

Hey hotrunrguy, How come this site put "minnow" underneath my name and you get wallhanger under yours? Whats up with that. Are they making fun of my body parts or my fishing abilities?

[Hot Runr Guy]

Hey hotrunrguy, How come this site put "minnow" underneath my name and you get wallhanger under yours? Whats up with that. Are they making fun of my body parts or my fishing abilities?
The Minnow, slot fish, wallhanger, etc are just Scott Golden's way of acknowledging the # of response's that members contribute. Whether they are useful or not (the responses) is always up for debate.
Take care, talk soon.
HRG

[goldpistol]

That's interesting. Didn't know that. Of course I was kidding. Didn't really care that I was labeled minnow. But that is interesting. I don't contribute much through responses, because I am the one that needs help. Last one to be giving out advise.

[walleyeguide]

I owned the mertens power system and now own the Titan. Both are nice. Both on a Yamaha 90 hp four stroke. If I had to do it over again, I'd put the Mertens system back on. Why?? I've got bad elbows, and at the end of a long day of trolling my arm is sore. You are pushing oil with the Titan system. Same amount of pressure slow or fast. Colder weather it now seems even harder to steer. But at least no steering tourqe when going at high speed and need to trim any place but the sweet spot!! I wasn't aware you could even get the Mertens systems on anything other than a Mercury product. Mercury purchased the Mertens system last year.

trail,
give me a call on my cell608 921 2819 i may have some advice on operation in the colder weather for you.
thanks frank

[Dave Q]

trail,
give me a call on my cell608 921 2819 i may have some advice on operation in the colder weather for you.
thanks frank

Could you pls. post any info you get. I also own the titan system. thank you.

[Dux]

trail,
give me a call on my cell608 921 2819 i may have some advice on operation in the colder weather for you.
thanks frank

Please post the info here and save alot of phone calls. I'm thinking on using one for my duckboat, but I am worried about the cold temps.

[goldpistol]

Hey Trailhound, How do you like the titan system?

[goldpistol]

I finally got ahold of Tim Merten. Talked to him about the Titan non-power steering system, and it does need to be installed by a licensed motor dealer, whichever motor you are dealing with. Isn't hard to install, however Mertens insurance company makes this mandatory. I also asked him about cold weather use and sounds like a minor issue. He says the guys that fish the Mississippi all winter never even brought up this issue with him. They use transmission fluid in the cylinders, which doesn't thicken as bad as regular hydraulic fluid or oil. He says, however, there is a small amount more of resistance. He says the cold weather does in no way hinder the locking function.

[Guest 722]

They use transmission fluid in the cylinders, which doesn't thinken as bad as regular hydraulic fluid or oil. He says, however, there is a small amount more of resistance. He says the cold weather does in no way hinder the locking function.

A full synthetic transmission fluid should get rid of all if any resistance.

[goldpistol]

I talked with Frank from Rock River Marine and he says there is a knob on the unit which enables you to adjust the amount of fluid flow. You can adjust this knob to where you can eliminate any resistance. Thus the cold weather thing should not be a factor. I think my translation from Frank is accurate.

[Koldfront Kraig]

I talked with Frank from Rock River Marine and he says there is a knob on the unit which enables you to adjust the amount of fluid flow. You can adjust this knob to where you can eliminate any resistance. Thus the cold weather thing should not be a factor. I think my translation from Frank is accurate.


Like I said, I've owned the Titan system for a year now.


In colder weather you will notice the difference. The knob will reduce it but you will still have resistance.

I still believe it's one of the best things I've gotten installed on my tiller rig.

[stinkycat]

Which knob?

Are you guys talking about the locking knob or the knob on the side for "chattering"?



Thanks!

[goldpistol]

Hey skin dog, I put the wheels in motion to get one installed on my motor. So, my mind is obviously made up regarding this issue. However when winter fishing, is it simply a little more resistance or is there a significant difference. Sorry, I don't mean to beat this thing to death, just curious, because I winter fish.

[goldpistol]

Which knob?

Are you guys talking about the locking knob or the knob on the side for "chattering"?



Thanks!
Frank said the knob with the grease zirt on it. The one that regulates the oil flow.

[Koldfront Kraig]

Hey skin dog, I put the wheels in motion to get one installed on my motor. So, my mind is obviously made up regarding this issue. However when winter fishing, is it simply a little more resistance or is there a significant difference. Sorry, I don't mean to beat this thing to death, just curious, because I winter fish.


It's just a little more resistance.

I just didn't want you to get misled thinking there was no resistance.

[goldpistol]

It's just a little more resistance.

I just didn't want you to get misled thinking there was no resistance.
Thanks