Hynautic K11 spashwell cylinder
 

I have an original Hynautic K11 steering cylinder that has been rebuilt and straighten a couple times over it's tortured life. Now it has some pretty big pits in it, and is leaking (again).
I have 3 choices,
1. Find a new/used K11, good luck, probably worse than mine.
2. Find a shaft, and replace mine, see choice one.
3. Replace it with a Teleflex/SeaStar/ HC5380

I am leaning toward number 3 since I found one new for 128 bucks, and that is probably less than choice one or 2.
The old one is K11 and the replacement one is at HC5380

I measured all the demensions, and it looks like a good fit, other than the mounting bracket bolt spacing. Has anyone used one of these with the hynautic helm, and have any tribal steering knowledge they would like to offer?

BTW, I can give you a class in how to steer a boat in from offshore with just the trim tabs, sluggish helm, but it will get you home :D.

Re: Hynautic K11 spashwell cylinder
 

John - can you post a picture or two of the cylinder?

Re: Hynautic K11 spashwell cylinder
 

It is Aluminum and looks like this
http://www.charment.com/images/k_11_12.jpg

Re: Hynautic K11 spashwell cylinder
 

Why not get a hynautic or seastar front mount cylinder for your merc? The pipe threading is different, but I believe that it. I run a new seastar helm and Hynautic front mount cylinder on my merc.

Re: Hynautic K11 spashwell cylinder
 

Cost, I have a line on this for 128 bucks. The center mount units are 400 or more. At some point in the future, I will close in the transom, and put a bracket on. I might go with twins, or something else, so I will probably use a center mount "balanced" unit for that. I will most likely replace the whole system then with integrated autopilot. I'm just looking for a year or so.

Re: Hynautic K11 spashwell cylinder
 

John B I did that four years ago and extend the life of the pump. this summer I replace the pump with sea star, you only need a different fitting to keep the hoses.now I hope to get a couple of years to the hose.

Re: Hynautic K11 spashwell cylinder
 

John B - the reason I ask for the picture is that I believe I have 2 of those that I could sell you cheap. I think they were both OK. On the other hand, a new steering cylinder for $128 is great - just get the new one...

Re: Hynautic K11 spashwell cylinder
 

Thanks for the offer,
If all goes as planned, I should have the new one and bolt it in on Fri. As best I can tell, all I have to do is unbolt the fittings from the ok k11 cyl and put them on the new one. The fitting are different, but where they mount into the cyl is supposed to be the same.