To Replace Hyanutics Steering or Not????

[peterb]

All, I bought my 1978 23' SF two months ago. At the time I noticed that I was leaking hydraulic fluid from the Hynautics 425 helm pump. I had a local guy open it up and he said that the housing was falling apart. I shipped the unit out to Charman in Indiana. They replaced the housing and the shaft.

When i got the helm pump about two weeks ago I noticed a little up and down play in the new shaft. I installed it. It is holding the pressure just fine. Unfortunately, the steering only works when you push down on the streering wheel (I think that this is due to the play in the new shaft setup). Operating the boat with this setup scares me.

I am wondering how much further I should be pushing this (such as shipping back the unit to Charman) before saying screw it & buy a new setup.

FYI, I have twin 150 Yamaha's and have received a price estimate of $1,900 from a local marina for installing a SeaStar unit.

The idea of spending close to another $2k does not thrill me. However, I also want to feel safe out there and am somewhat concerned that even if Charman comes through for me, that i am just putting a band aid on a 27 year old system.

Your thought and input would be greatly appreciated.

[paulfurnari]

Peter, that sounds like it came back with more problems than it went out with. Please let me know how they respond before I consider sending them my Seastar cylinder. thanks- Paul

[Bigshrimpin]

Pete - I'd call Charmen about the extra play. Did you bleed the air out of your system?

[peterb]

Between being quoted almost $2k for a new hydraulic steering setup and just sending Uncle Sam an unexpected big fat tax check, I am going back to Charman one more time. I called them the other day and explained the issue. I was told that the Charman tech should have put a spacer on the shaft to hold it in place.

I just sent out the helm pump to Charman. They said that they would right the situation. We will see (I will keep my fingers cross). I should have it back by next weekend.

On a brighter note, the helm pump does not leak hydraulic fluid anymore. that is why I sent it out in the first place.

Also, once the steering issue is resolved, the boat will be put in the water at Leonardo State Marinna (near Sandy hook, NJ). This better be in time for the main bass run.

[Trayder]

Peter-

There is no way the steering system for your boat should cost 2K. I think your marina is running you over the coals or is simply too busy and that has to be their price.

You can buy a seastar system for less than 1K and install it yourself.

It sounds like Charman is a good company and you should be all set.

[peterb]

Trayder,

You are probably right about the price being jacked up.

In fact when he quoted me the $2k price, and i initially said (in deperation) that I may want him to do it right away he took a big gulp and said that he could not do it right now bcause the steering cylinder is on backorder and his yard is backed up.

I was kind of surprised because a number of friends who used this Marina quite a bit say nothing but great things about this guy (and my friends are almost as tight with a sawbuck as many of the "seasoned members" on this web site).

[peterb]

Brief update

I sent back my Hynautics helm pump to Charman. They were able to remove most (but not all) of the play out of the shaft. Now there may be an 1/8 to 1/16 of an inch of play as opposed to a 1/2 inch of play.

Net/net, I still need to push down on the wheel (ever so slightly) to properly engage the steering. It may work as is, but still leaves me a little ansy.

I hope to water test it within the next couple of days.

[gss036]

Peter, do you have the correct air pressure in your reservoir? 23-25# if I remember correctly.

[peterb]

Gary,

I have it at around 30 pounds.

[gss036]

http://www.seastarsteering.com/HYNAUTIC/hynautic.htm

That is close enough, I found the page w/purge instructions on the Charment site, they say 20-30 PSI. I have mine at 25 psi and it seems to do ok.