Boat steering sloppy - hydrolic seastar?

Question

The helm is a 1.7 seastar on a small powerboat with 90 hp. I have bleed it good but you have to turn the steering wheel too many times to get it to respond. I have a k**b on it but it is not enough. You must turn the steering wheel 8 full rotations in order to get the motor from one side to the other completely.

I takes 3 full turns to get the motor from center to either side. Is this normal? It has a normal size steering wheel.

Answer 1

Sounds like the helm pump is bad >Best to replace the hole system as the contaminates are in the whole system>If you replace the head the ram will go next>Your call as the assembly cost less>Buy 1 now or1 later>>

Answer 2

I'm not familiar with Seastar, but I once had a similar problem with my steering. In my Teleflex Hynautic System (I think Hynautic and Seastar are similar), I have a Reservoir with a pressure gauge. On the top, it has a value where you can attach a bicycle pump to, and by add air pressure, the hydraulic fluid is pumped through out the system...and of course the steering responds. If you have a reservoir with a valve, unscrew the cap, and pump some air into it, bringing the pressure to 15 psi.

In your case if you do not have that type of system, then you are loosing pressure or fluid somewhere and need to add fluid and re-bleed the system.

I have a Bertram 30 and it takes me 3 1/2 turns to go to 100% to one side, 8 is not right, 3 1/2 is standard.

Below are links to PDFs that should help you...if this does not help, then call directly Teleflex Technical Support.

http://www.seatechmarineproducts.com/dow...

http://www.seatechmarineproducts.com/dow...

http://www.teleflexmarine.com/library/ma...

Good Luck

PS: From my experience, it always something very easy and simple!

Ed

Answer 3

Those systems can be tricky to bleed out. What you want to do is turn the wheel all the way to the left and hold pressure while someone else opens the port side bleed s***w. You should continue to turn the wheel to the left while the s***w is open. Then turn right and open the starboard s***w. Pay attention to the fluid level or use a bleed kit as you will push alot of fluid thru. I have worked as a marine tech and rigger for nine years and bled a lot of steering systems, and it sounds to me like yours is full of air.

Answer 4

I have a Seastar system on my bassboat.  It should only be about 4 1/2 turns lock to lock, nowhere near eight.  There is either a leak somewhere, the helm's bad, it's low on fluid, or it's still not completely bled.