Hydraulic steering system

[hadd]

Anyone know witch is the best hydraulic steering system to get fitted on a rib

[Dirk Diggler]

quality or price?

[tom's]

power?

[hadd]

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

quality or price?

I would say quality, i don,t mind paying good money if its good gear , i know there are differant steering system,s just need to know the best one to put on the rib.

[Turbodiesel]

Seastar eveytime.

[C-NUMB]

Seastar Pro seams to be well reputed by those keeping high speeds and or having big outboards. No own experiences but would not mind owning one.

[kerny]

Originally Posted by hadd

Anyone know witch is the best hydraulic steering system to get fitted on a rib

Can she not look into her crystal ball and give you a make and price

[Burtox]

I've got a Hydraflex hydraulic system that is now leaking and I can't find a seal kit for it as their web site is very limited. The steering is very heavy at the helm. I have driven a rib with a sea star system and its like having power steering on your boat and you can get spares for them. Its a no brainer.

I might change mine for a Seastar next year.



Don't buy this model even if its cheap on ebay.

[red]

I recommend a phone call to Hypromarine in Lymington. They are the experts when it comes to hydraulic steering and can recommend the most suitable product for your rib. They only do hydraulic steering and have a whole range available. I have Kobelt fitted to one of my boats and I have had fitted Seastar products to a previous rib and they work and last,

Regards

[jyasaki]

Seastar steering rams (in my experience) need seals replaced about every 2 - 3 years due to leakage. Helm seal every 3 to 4 years. Pretty bulletproof otherwise.

To be fair, replacing the ram seals takes maybe an hour including bleeding the system. Replacement seal kit with screw in gland and removal tool runs about $90 US. Helm takes a few minutes, and the seal itself is about $6; kit with everything to rebuild the helm is about $30.

Don't know if any other manufacturers are better or worse, but availablity of parts is a big boost to Seastar.

jky