Hydraulic steering

[Chrome Thrower]

The old cable steering on my boat has seen better days so during the motors  recent service I decided to go with a new sea star hydraulic steering system, not cheap but the mechanic seems to think it's the best  . Does anyone have or use the sea star set up and if so what is the general con census 

[TK01]

Had one on my outboard for about 4 years now, trouble free boating and a million times better than the old cable steering.  You won't be disappointed.

[Rebel]

The only way to go. You will wish you didn't do it sooner.

Cheers.

[squidboy]

I have a Seastar setup. I highly recommend it

[Slawman]

Very happy with mine.  Has not missed a beat in over 150 hours.

[JonD]

Most good mechanics will tell you you don't need it until you get into the bigger outboard range. I had an issue where mine were being replaced every 12 months due to such tight angles the cables had to bend to. I replaced with hydraulic Baystar, fitting it myself and have been very happy with it, great improvement even on a small outboard like my F70. if I was only doing 100 hrs per year I would of most likely stayed with cable but he fact Im currently running around 400hrs and enjoy this boat I considered the investment worth while.

[Chrome Thrower]

Thanks for the reassurance guys , the motor its steering is a Yamaha 90 two stroke on a 17ft fibreglass hull . Seems odd but the mechanic explained that the less we use cable style steering the more inclined it is to play up , now as you can imagine I'm keen as mustard to get the old girl out on the water and see what she can do now. " .    

[JonD]

7 minutes ago, Chrome Thrower said:

Thanks for the reassurance guys , the motor its steering is a Yamaha 90 two stroke on a 17ft fibreglass hull . Seems odd but the mechanic explained that the less we use cable style steering the more inclined it is to play up , now as you can imagine I'm keen as mustard to get the old girl out on the water and see what she can do now. " .    

Yes that's probably the case with cable in regards to lack of use but for me with a hull only 1.2m wide the bends in it caused the wire to wear inside its sleeve.

[61 crusher]

On 6/6/2019 at 7:01 PM, JonD said:

I replaced with hydraulic Baystar, fitting it myself and have been very happy with it, great improvement even on a small outboard like my F70.

I’ve got the bay star on my barcrusher & I’ve had the rig over 9years & love it & the steering, while down at Jyndabine recently I had a small oil trickle at the base of the steering wheel mount, I don’t think it’s an issue though as I had the boat in for a service just prior to going down & it might just be a bit of residual from a top up of steering  fluid 

[sydney south]

It is a great option.

Just make sure you change the oil. as like all oils, it will absorb moisture.