My kicker works - and SeaStar too

TyBoo

TyBoo

Administrator
Staff member
Heading out to the ocean this morning between B8 and B6 when the steering cable busted. Glad it was a calm sea. Fired up the Honda 15 and headed back in. It went so well that as soon as we got past the spooky parts we slowed down and trolled the last eight miles or so. It was the first time I had used the kicker for more than a few minutes.

We trolled around in the river until the wind started blowing and quit with just one fish. But at least I know the kicker works, and it looks like I get my hydraulic steering a year early.
 
Not good Mike, If ya want it I still have my full setup with steering box and cable (cable is in very good shape). I would be happy to be send your way, just let me know.

stevej
 
I know the feeling, Mike. When we had to use it last year on the way to
Bellingham, it was nice to know that it could do the job. Now, we use it all the time for trolling. :thup
 
It will be SeaStar. Now that BayStar went to the new cylinder they aren't much cheaper. Gotta find one first. The Honda 130 and 115 takes a different cylinder than all the other Hondas.

Steve - Thanks so much for the offer, but I don't think I want to bother shoving another cable through the boat. What steering did you get? If it's SeaStar, do you happen to remember the hose length? And did you use the standard helm that sticks out a couple inches further than the old Morse cable wheel?
 
Mike, I did convert to the SeaStar system.

Let me look through my receipts tonight and will give the hose length. I seem to remember that I ordered 25' but it ended up being about a foot short so I added a 5' extension.
I used the standard helm and although to puts the wheel a few inches out it's never been an issue.

stevej
 
puts the wheel a few inches out it's never been an issue
Click to expand...
When they come out with a steering system that puts the wheel a few inches IN then I'll upgrade. Since I got Adeline my gut has expanded a few inches out and I need MORE, not less space for my enhanced girth.
 
Steve - Thanks, but the parts came today. Ordered them from Redden Marine in B'ham. Nice folks and the best of the first several prices on the web. The SeaStar site said to measure the hose run and add two feet, which worked out to 23' for me. I got 24' hoses.

Nice surprise when I removed the old helm and found the mount was recessed about an inch, so the new one shouldn't stick out much farther than the old one.

That's it Adeline - you're uprgrading! You can buy a SeaStar helm that is front mount and all that sticks thru the dash is the spindle.
 
Adeline":1zfv6n6n said:
puts the wheel a few inches out it's never been an issue
Click to expand...
When they come out with a steering system that puts the wheel a few inches IN then I'll upgrade. Since I got Adeline my gut has expanded a few inches out and I need MORE, not less space for my enhanced girth.
Click to expand...

Check out this link then...

Seastar Helms

Looks like the Rear Mount Helm will do what you want.
 
Got the new SeaStar installed and working. Pretty easy, and the 24' hoses are just right. Jamie had to have a medical test in Portland this morning that required her to be sleep-deprived, so she was out in the boat about 1:00 this morning turning the wheel and watching the fluid while I bled the system. When we got back home today (and after a 6 hour nap) we took the boat down to the marina.

The hydraulic steering works great and makes quite a difference judging from the trip to the slip from the ramp. We'll take it out to the river tomorrow for a good test. They didn't have the 1.7cid helm in stock, so I had them ship the 2.4cid helm pump. The one I got is 3 1/2 turns lock-to-lock whereas the 1.7 would be about 5 turns. The 1.7 would also require less effort to turn the wheel, but it is still easier than it was with the cable. I'll figure out tomorrow if I made a mistake, but I think so far I might like the larger displacement pump better for my boat. About how many turns of the steering wheel does it take to go lock-to-lock on the CD 25s rigged at the factory?
 
TyBoo":3vpb16oh said:
About how many turns of the steering wheel does it take to go lock-to-lock on the CD 25s rigged at the factory?
Click to expand...
Can’t help you with your question, but my Baystar is four and a half turns from lock to lock.
________
Dave dlt.gif
 
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