---

OK - I'm not familiar with the construction of the Specialty console, but know the original console well, having built one from scratch, from factory plans, back in 1971, for my Nauset. I also have a 1971 Ribside 21, and the teak console front panel in that boat is very similar to the front panel in the Nauset console.

In either console, the front panel, which holds the instrument cutouts and the steering helm are not designed for the HEAVY hydraulic helm and need considerable re-inforcement.

A couple of years ago I converted the steering on my Ribside from mechanical to Sea Star hydraulic, and it took some advance planning and consideration as to what system to use.

As you indicated a Baystar or Sea Star helm is quite large and will look terrible surface mounted on the console front panel. In addition, this offset weight, with wheel installed, will overstress the the front panel considerably without gussett re-inforcement installed from behind. I ruled out this installation option, and since Baystar does not have a rear mount cylinder option, this eliminates Baystar as an option.

I then thought about the recessed mounting option for the standard helm. But this requires a 4-1/2" hole to be cut in the console front panel, considerably weakening it to the point that failure would be inevitable. The large diameter hole leaves little wood material at the bottom of the hole. So scratch that option.

This left me with, by far, the best and most desireable option, the Rear Mount helm. These are more expensive than the standard mount, but for these consoles, are what is needed. It is still heavy, and I had to re-inforce the front panel from behind with 1" thick teak or mahognay gusset pieces, glued and screwed into both the front face and top surface, screws covered with pegs. In addition, the Teleflex rear mount cylinder requires about 1-1/2" mounting thickness, so I fabricated a 1/2" thick teak small circular plate intalled to the front panel surface, just larger than the chrome finishing bezel. A top mount oil fill fitting, supplied in the kit, also has to be installed. The finished appearance is beautiful, with the wheel in the proper position, and you can see it here: (see next photo also)

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/lgolt...7908679059

Doing all of this, and figuring it all out, was a lot of work, which is why I indicate caution to you. The console top will need to be brought into your shop for this kind of work.