Seastar alternatives?

[larby]

Hi all,

Just wondering what the alternatives to seastar would be for a boat being rigged for 3C?

I've heard bad things about using seastar for racing, but latham steering is £3k+ new! Is there an alternative system out there? I'm sure I've seen a few people using seastar helms with a sidemount ram?

Any suggestions greatly appreciated,

Cheers, James

[Tony Davis]

IMCO is pretty good, and certainly cheaper than Latham!


You’d need the following,

1 off SA-74 Steering kit (comprising of Ram, Wing Plate, Tilt Pin, Bulkhead Tube Kit, Hose and Fittings, Adapters)
1 off KH-13 Hose Kit (Helm Pump, Remote Fill, Adapters, Hose and Fittings)
1 0ff HP-31 Helm Post

Cost for those would be approx $3,500.00 less 15%.

I’d expect shipping to be something like $500.00, then there would be duty but for you no VAT

[Carl]

i had seastar on the p20 and bakdraft,never had a problem

[larby]

Tony - Thanks for that, I suggested Imco as the setup on my revenger is fantastic. If you con get a better price than usual on these then I'll be in touch if we go down that road.

Carl - Was that race or pleasure use and with what motors? I'm sure lots of people get away with it, but under hard offshore use with 2-300hp attached, they just seem a bit weak for the job compared to imco/latham?

Cheers, James

[Burty]

at the end of the day the week link is the bolt that connects the steering to the engine, sea star is approx M8 side ram approx M12 however there will be alot more forces exerted on the side ram due to its location, IMO seastar pro is just as good as side ram if anything its better as its lighter but i would suggest using a high tensile bolt ( seastar sell one ) and replace it every year

[Carl]

james,it was for racing,and had a single xr2 200hp ish

[Cookee]

We have run Seastar for ten years with xr2's XS's including running at over 90 on Coniston with an EFI on the back

[Tony Davis]

Originally Posted by Cookee

We have run Seastar for ten years with xr2's XS's including running at over 90 on Coniston with an EFI on the back

Only 90, I think you'll find boats running in excess of a hundred using it, but the question was about alternatives!!!

[Adam]

I don't think the perfect system exists!

There are alternatives and I have sold various through K4+.

Hydrodrive - Front mounted and rated to 350hp, I have had good results with. Some of the fittings are a bit lighter than I would ideally see - but the the ram to tiller linkage is from both sides and as such better balanced.

L & S - twin side mounted from France. I liked this system and sold a few - but a bit troublesome in setting up and not really totally productionised. Wing plates can be a problem as you have to supply / make your own.

Then on to various US side mounted systems as more money. To be honest the IMCO system I brought in for my 250 HO - probably caused me more problems than any other system I bought and the customer service was practically non existant!

Back to Sea Star - basically a really good product and have used it more than any other. Needs maintaining / checking - but true with all steering!

Just my findings....

[Tony Davis]

Originally Posted by Adam

To be honest the IMCO system I brought in for my 250 HO - probably caused me more problems than any other system I bought and the customer service was practically non existant!

..

Sorry to hear that, spose it's the perils of buying from so far away. Out of interest, what was the problem, as there isn't much that can go wrong?

I've had stick valves in the Capillano's before, but Steve at Hypro has come to my rescue.

[Adam]

really surprised myself, but..

- various connections coming loose, even having fitted as recommended. In the end had to go to a semi-permanent loctite.
- sticking valves
- bent ram

This is all in about 10 hours use - and the steering was the one item that limited my boating time the most.


But overall I was really disappointed with the general design - bearing in mind the cost. The system is a bitch to bleed and would hope for better solution, then the ram fitting under the wing plate is not totally convincing - this is for the 250 E-Tec.

I will persevere with it and fit it to my next boat though...

[Tony Davis]

Originally Posted by Adam

really surprised myself, but..

- various connections coming loose, even having fitted as recommended. In the end had to go to a semi-permanent loctite.
- sticking valves
- bent ram

This is all in about 10 hours use - and the steering was the one item that limited my boating time the most.


But overall I was really disappointed with the general design - bearing in mind the cost. The system is a bitch to bleed and would hope for better solution, then the ram fitting under the wing plate is not totally convincing - this is for the 250 E-Tec.

I will persevere with it and fit it to my next boat though...

Blimey, that is a run of bad luck! I've never had a connection come loose, although i do use a dab of sealent on the threads, sticking valves in the helm is unfortunate, but it's a Teleflex item so could happen with any type of steering, but a bent ram, how on earth did you manage to do that???

I've always found the bleeding ever so simple, perhaps there's a knack, but it's no harder than say Seastar or similar.

The fact that you go for another system says that you must have been a little impressed, or your a glutton for punishment!

One of the nice things I think about IMCO is that they list, and sell as spares every single piece that goes into their systems.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Tony Davis

I've always found the bleeding ever so simple, perhaps there's a knack, but it's no harder than say Seastar or similar.

The fact that you go for another system says that you must have been a little impressed, or your a glutton for punishment!

One of the nice things I think about IMCO is that they list, and sell as spares every single piece that goes into their systems.

It is the same system - kept the engine and the steering togther. It should be good - but so far...

I will get you round for the bleeding then. Just seems far more difficult without the bleed nipples.

[larby]

Hmmm. So chances are that the seastar will be OK then? Especially coming from someone who's broken 100 saddles!

If the seastar is fine, why do so many people in 3C etc run side mount? Adam, why did you end up going for Imco? Didn't your steering break at the cancer research race?

Cheers, James

[still no worries]

Originally Posted by Burty

at the end of the day the week link is the bolt that connects the steering to the engine, sea star is approx M8 side ram approx M12 however there will be alot more forces exerted on the side ram due to its location, IMO seastar pro is just as good as side ram if anything its better as its lighter but i would suggest using a high tensile bolt ( seastar sell one ) and replace it every year

just a thought change the m8 for m12, (drill and tap to suit)

[larby]

May be possible I guess. I'd guess an ARP Jesus bolt and the correct torque would do the job though?

I'm interested to know why people use side mount if seastar is supposedly good enough?

James

[Paul E]

I just had a look at my seastar ram, unless I'm missing something I can't see a problem in enlarging the hole and running a bigger bolt if the bolt is the weak point

[larby]

Hmmm, I wonder why no one does this? Also, I wonder why standard spec on all outboards is M8? They must feel it's sufficient?

James