Seastar hydraulic steering ram

[Blue_Runner]

I've noticed a very slow leak from it. Anybody dealt with this?

[Fitz]

Yes - I encountered the same problem about five years after installing a Seastar system. I was amazed to find that the stainless steel shaft had corroded slightly and was allowing fluid to leak past the seals. I found there was no option but to replace it. In the six or so years since I've been very careful to wash the shaft with fresh water after every use and to coat it with oil before laying the boat up for the winter.

[Blue_Runner]

I'm begginning to wonder if it is actually coming from the bleed screw? The fluid I'm seeing isn't on the stainless shaft but on the housing underneath the bleed screw...........

[spareparts]

look at the rod very closly, if its pitted, you'll need to replace the cylinder. I replace the cylinder seals all the time, The pitting on the shaft is due to electrolysis. The newer rams come with a bonding kit to help prevent pitting, You can ordder the bondong kit if you replace the end caps. BTW, the end caps are pretty easy.

[Blue_Runner]

By easy, do you mean the end caps come off easy?

I looked at it again and see no pitting and appears as new. I checked the other side this morning and it is leaking too. Looking at the seal kits. Do you use the kit that comes with the new end caps? Or just get the kit with the seals? One comes with the pin wrench too, but it is over $100. Seems crazy for a replacing a couple pieces of rubber.....then again after all it is a boat we are talking about here.

Here's what my my winter time is looking like:

Seastar cylinder replace seals, refill, bleed. ~$150

2 new tires for trailer - blew one out last trip, will get two new and put the existing good tire on my 2nd spare ~$160

New VHF radio fixed mount inside the cabin (DRY) as backup w/ whip antenna on port side. Have had issues with my dash mounted vhf getting moisture causing it to not work until it dries out. Also do not trust the little hand held. Need peace of mind. ~$300

My old faithful Garmin 172c gpsmap sh!t the bed last time out. Did not go all the way out but the screen was fading out to the point I was preparing use the compass to get back in from 50 miles out. Instead of dumping $500 - $1000 into a new unit I found another 172c on craigslist in FL, called the guy and he is going to ship it to me. So for a total of $165 it should get me by for a couple more years (hopefully!).

Total: ~$775 (and I just spent $800 on replacing the trim assembly and a new prop a few months ago!)

Gotta love it.

[bradford]

Under a thousand each time? Good job BR!