Baystar Hydraulic Steering

thataway · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 11:00 am Post subject:

There is a reason that the helm ratio is the same. If the helm turns without a response, then you may have air in the system. Have you checked the fluid level? This needs to be checked regularly, just like the engine oil...

There is no option to change out the helm pump or hydraulic ram for the BayStar, as there is for the more robust SeaStar. The kit comes for an engine of less than 150 hp with 5 turns lock to lock steering.

You need to find out if your helm goes more than 5 turns lock to lock. You could adapt a different pump from SeaStar, but the tubings and fittings are different.

What many of use is a "Suicide" (also known as Brody, necking, steering knob), Edson makes a nice one which clamps on the wheel, and is what I use. For example when backing the boat, I will stand in the isle, looking aft, with left hand on the "knob", and use that to steer. I would not want more sensitive steering...

Micahbigsur@msn.com · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 11:54 am Post subject:

If steering response is slow? Then you may have some air in the system, you can do a "simple" bleed by turning the wheel lock to lock slowly many times. If it gets better that is the problem, if it comes back again you have a system air leak. A shop can hook up and bleed at the cylinder for a major bleed. Like Bob said it should be a smooth (no herky jerky) 5 wheel rotations lock to lock.
I once had to replace a pump with bad internal seals that was a problem.

Pacificcoast101 · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 12:16 pm Post subject:

https://youtu.be/X2Qi1ETRp8s

ssobol · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 5:16 pm Post subject:

IME, doing it this way is best.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBgATO_1vl0

I've saw on a TV show that you actually need to do it twice. The second time after using it for awhile. Have to let the micro bubbles aggregate and the bleed them out.

Micahbigsur@msn.com · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 5:44 pm Post subject:

That is a great video, a pro job.
You can get home so you can do the job right using the lock to lock back and forth method it will remove a lot of air and bring the helm mostly back up and you will know air is your problem.

bmcminn · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 11:26 pm Post subject:

5 turns plus a little less than 10 degrees. So that sounds fine. I was practicing pivot turns in the marina so I think this seemed more of an issue than it is.

I read the discussion on tractor knobs for steering and I'm sure I would 1. jamb a finger 2. catch my PFD 3. accidentally bump it when planing. I will check the fluid sometime soon.

Thanks for the info and on the more substantial (or in my case insubstantial) problems. The core!