The only difference I see is that the Seastar has hardline fittings where as the Baystar has compression fittings. They both are excellent units.

 

Thanks for the feedback.I got an estimate from a local boat dealer on an install.Between $1100.00 to $1300.00.That was the cheaper Baystar. Going to install myself but was curious.I'm going get the Baystar unless someone tells me I wouldn't be happy with it.

 

The pro doesn't seem to leak as bad. I wouldn't own their standard. Way TOO many leaky ones out there.

You might want to just forego all the leaking all together and dump anything related to Baystar or Pro Teleflex and just get what most of the new boats I see now use, ....... UFLEX. Much better product. It's even the same price point as Teleflex.

 

good advise....they always seem to leak sooner then later...and you cant fake steering if you have NONE. :twocents:

 

Love the feedback guys thanks.Checking it all out,and will let you know what I go with.

 

Have had a baystar unit on my 19 foot Alumaweld with 90 hp four stroke for about eight years. Not one issue - it has been fantastic. I installed it myself, and was very careful with the hydraulic piping runs - they are well protected and not stressed anywhere - particularly at the ends.

 

I went with the Pro.I bought the hoses seperate and have about $1100.00 vested.The amount a local dealer wanted to install the cheaper one.The Seastar techs were great to talk to.They said with the extra long shaft on my 150 Mercury,the torque would be to much for the smaller one.Makes sense to me.

 

My boat came with a Baystar and with the 150 Optimax it was very difficult to turn the wheel. Read through the stuff on it and found they specifically didn't recommend the Baystar for that motor. Took it back and had a Seastar installed. Much better performance.

However, two years later it blew a seal - ya more money down the drain

 

Was it a slow drip? Did you replace it yourself or have the dealer do it. My Seastar has a very slow drip.

 

Every sea star system I've owned needed fluid added at least twice per year and no signs of a leak just started to loose steering and started checking it before it was gone completely, it was part of my maintenance routine I wouldn't voluntarily purchase it

 

My motor sits low on an offshore bracket and is a lot to turn. Hope I get more than a few years with no headaches.Thanks for the inputs.

 

Blew the seals one in end and dumped fluid on the off shore bracket

 

I just took out my teleflex rotary helm.Looks to still be in good shape.It measures 18 and a half feet.If anyone is interested you can have it.Thanks,Deano.

 

I would take a look at the Uflex system. I spent a LOT of time researching baystar, seastar and the Uflex systems last spring before I ended on the Uflex. In my research it is a better design both at the helm and at the motor. The internals are of better material and they use a double seal system and is far less prone to the o-ring leaking that I found often occurrs with the seastar. I'm not taking a shot at the seastar as it is more commonly found here in the NW but after hours of research before spending this kind of money I went the Uflex route. Their customer service was very responsive with a couple questions I had around install.

 

It's too late for me to change now.I'm just about done mounting my Seastar Pro.I did check out the prices on the Uflex and they were just a little more.I'm going to be careful how I route my hoses and the bleeding process to insure top performance.

 

That's not the main issue, the seals on the ram will fail. You will become proficient at replacing them and bleeding the system.

 

I have the sea star steering on my 08 thunderjet. Have not had any problems yet. Had to add oil once.

 

everyone does sooner than later have a weeper or blown seal, seriously hit amazon and buy just the outboard seals for the ram unit and a bottle of oil and keep it in the boat, its cheap.

you are up a creek if it blows or leaks to much fluid you have no steering and no way to fake it.

 

Actually just finished today installing and hooking up the hoses.Very pleased with my work.I've put together swing sets when my kids were little that seemed harder.Going to take your advice and order that seal kit.I'll keep it in with my extra prop bag for those long tuna and halibut trips.When someone drops by I will bleed the system.Thanks.

 

I rode with a friend on his Duckworth that you literally had to turn the wheel 180 degees to keep the boat straight. When I told him he had a hydraulic steering problem his answer was, "Do you think"? :doh:

That was two years ago. Although he's asked several times, I've not fished with him since.

 

a fyi, guys have said and the youtube vid mentions it, after you bleed it let it sit for a day and do it again, I did mine over several days and got air....sounds excessive but you will get air out of it....the less air the smoother it will be

I did the trick guys suggest, bought clear lines at the hardware store and poured a little in a clean bottle out back, I bought a new spray bottle to use it had a tight neck it was easier to keep the hoses submerged , hang the main bottle off the windshield with the bottom cut off like a funnel open the bleeders an start steering when your funnel gets low,

shut off the bleeder screws transfer the fluid out back up front and repeat...and also turn the wheel the last bit to make the chirp sound when it bottoms out it feels funny but it helps get the air at the helm.:twocents:

 

Thanks I will bleed my system as you explained.Thanks.

 

Bled my system as explained,watched the utube video until I had it down.Worked great and you can bleed it by yourself this way.Can't get that chirping sound when you bottom out turning the wheel but seems to steer real smoothe.Going to try and get more air out of it in the morning then call it done.

 

turn the wheel till it stops then grab it firmly and turn it more the same direction, it usually will go another 1/4" and activate the helm checks, feels funny and usually makes a funny noise,

if you did it on your own you would think something is wrong or your damaging it....cant recall who said it or where I read it but it helps get air at the helm.

 

I'll try it tonight,I have it hooked up still.I turned it all the way and then some.Afraid I might twist my steering wheel off if I go much further.It sure turns nice now.Going to go try it out this week-end and fill up with non ethanol while there almost giving it away,and I can't believe the forecast.

 

its just a one hand firm nudge after stop, if you straining your there.

 

I'm there then.Very pleased.Hope it steers as easy in the water as it does in my garage.I sure won't dread that drive back from a long day of tuna or halibut fishing.Thanks again for turning me on to the YouTube video.Seastar directions states try it our way before you try it your way.I did except for the bleeding process.

 

Cool, Fish On!

 

Finally! Got off work early yesterday the weather was great so grabbed my boat and headed up to Hillscreek to run the cobwebs out of my motors.But most of all I wanted to try out my new steering.I was very pleased.Fast or slow it felt the same.No feedback.Evrything went well until I hit a stick and knocked my transducer loose.Oh well that's boating.