Home › Forums › Bass Cat Boats › Silversteer uflex steering (BCB question)
Redngoo.
I am ready to pull the switch on this. Think I am going to simply order the complete silver steer kit with helm, cylinder and new hoses to keep things simple (particularly since seastar has two different types of hoses at least).I have a 2008 Basscat Pantera Classic, hull ID: BASZ6790I708.What size hoses to you recommend? Mine was rigged with the hoses coming in from each side of the splash well, and crossing in the center, keeping them tucked up against the cylinder? I can certainly take out what I have, but I would prefer to order and have everything on hand before I spend a couple of hours ripping things out to figure out a good length…Suggestions?I replaced the seal in the steering cylinder (actual ram seal) but the rings worn in the cylinder wall are already beginning to wear the new seal again. I have a spare, but have decided I would rather deal with a solution rather than a bandaid. I think I am going silver steer, even though it is rated at over 300 HP motors and mine is a 200. Dimensions seem to be exactly the same, physically, but with a higher pressure helm, cylinder and hose configuration…
Oldtimer when my seastar fails this will be my next move as well. Thought i had read over on the bbc board that one can change just the cylinder? Is this not true?
We are deferring that one to more informed. Be next week on an answer.
I believe that is correct. I just am not sure about the two different types of fittings seastar has used. In looking at pricing, it seems to be very minimal cost increase to just do everything. Ive installed several seastar systems for friends over the years, not to mention ripping mine apart to fix the cylinder as well. Not a very hard job. Can get messy if you are careless. Protect under the helm in case you failed to get a connection tight if you do the whole nine yards…Caveat: I know that the seastar system has a flaw. I do NOT know if it exists in the uflex system. But at least I am leaving a known flaw (poor seal design choice) for an unknown. That might possibly be worse although I really doubt it. :)I can probably get the length right anyway, just thought I might confirm to eliminate one problem..
I will probably call Allan in the AM, he usually finds these answers out quickly. Then I am off to the order form. Got to figure out who to order from since I dont see it on BCBs site (but I will ask Allan to be sure he doesnt have one).We had a sort of memorial service at the lake this afternoon as several of us mourned the passing of the Mercury Pro XS 2-stroke motors. 🙂 A 4.5 liter v8 200 hp motor does sound interesting however…
As far as the fittings on your seastar. Snap a picture showing the size and appearence. I would think any “good” hydraulic will kno exactly wat you have. Im sure sherm or don get get you exactly wat you need. As far as the 4 stroke i believe the 200 is a v 6 3.4liter. I read the blocks are throw aways. Though if my pro xs every blows ( i hope never). I will go 4 sroke. Not sure which brand though. I was hoping honda would step up their game. And Suzuki has got my attention as well
OK, talked with Allan. My 08 classic uses a 15 and a 21 hose since they come in on opposite sides of the splash well. Ive been talking with Don (BBC) and am waiting to hear back. Looks like I am going to buy two sets of cables, 2 16s and 2 22s. Will use one of each. If you are interested in going this route, Ill sell you one of each for 1/2 what I pay for em, otherwise I will keep em as probably never-used spares. I am going to try to get this ordered this week and hopefully can get it done sometime the next week. Will post some pics and results once it is done. I think you might be right for the new 200ph 4s. Someone on BBC had mentioned V8 which sounded interesting. 🙂 Probably TOO interesting. But for me, I am quite happy with the Pro XS for the moment… if I can just get this steering back under control. Im convinced uflex is better. No idea whether it is perfect or not…
My p2 is routed different both come in on the same side. When my seastar decides to fail i will either go the uflex or retube, rerod my seastar. I feel the chrome on cylinder rod is not hard enough. Being a machinist this is a simple task. Though the uflex i only here good things. My only issue with either is to be a “simple” cylinder is the prices they are charging. Though my guess would be 2 words “steering” and “boat”.
OK, I have the silver steer stuff on the way. Maybe some updates next week.The problems I have with seastar can be identified as follows:(1) they are using the wrong seal material on the center cylinder seal (the “piston”.) That material, rather than being the usual white nylon-type material has a sintered metallic content that is a little abrasive. If you have lots of long runs where the wheel doesnt move much, that will allow all those motor vibrations to cause the seal to cut into the wall of the steering cylinder. Now you have a rough spot that will (a) allow fluid to bypass around the piston seal resulting in significant slippage, and (b) causes additional wear to the seal itself as it runs in and across that groove as you steer left to right. Gets worse and worse. Ive replaced this seal once, and was about to do it again when I decided enough was enough. The guy I bought the seal from said that in his opinion, it is the wrong seal and what he found for me looked better. Unfortunately, the cylinder bore has some very deep gouges in it where the wear had already happened.(2) the yoke/hinge joint that connects the cylinder to the motor tiller arm is problematic. It can wear, it is exposed and attracts grit when towing, and as that thing wears, you get slop that cant be eliminated. I have helped a couple shim the things, but seastar offers no help, so unless you have a really good automotive parts house around that keeps bazillions of shims, no go.(3) the end glands (seals on ends of cylinder) are under stress. There is wobble since the only thing preventing movement is the seal on each end of the cylinder, and the seals are soft. So over time, those seals let go, and you get fluid leaking out and air/water leaking in. Neither of which is good.Somewhere over the past 2-3 years I saw an exhibit of the silver steer cylinder, and it looked to be better designed in all regards. I am not sure about that rather interesting connector arm that ties to the tiller bar, but it looks to be really stout and may well be the ticket. As far as the rest of my sea star complaints, looks like silver steer has addressed them. Everything looks rock-solid. But let me get my hands on this one for a while and Ill post some concrete analysis/opinion/etc. :)I agree that the pricing is a bit ridiculous. I have bought hydraulic cylinders for tractors that were much bigger/better/stronger and MUCH cheaper. Something about the word “BOAT” comes to mind, as always. 🙂
Keep is posted on your experience. From wat i read over on the bbc board. The uflex comes highly reccomended. Not sure as to why you dont see more of them around. Though from wat i read the swap from seastar to uflex should be simple.
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