SeaStarPro??

Teamster

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Nov 8, 2010
Messages
1,923
Hi, I'm re powering my FishFX18dv with a 200hp Mercefi,

So, The crusty rack and pinion steering will need to go.

Planning a SeaStar Pro Hydraulic kit,.....I don't have the boat handy to take measurements.

The shortest cables I see available in the kits are 14 foot,....I can't imagine needing more than that for
an 18.5 foot boat.

I'd like to order the kit and have it ready to go in when I pick the boat up at the end of the week,..

Any reason not to just guess the 14 footers will do?

Hers a link to a crappy picture of a similar boat if that helps,...
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,313
Dealing with hydraulic hoses that are too long is a royals pain.

I'm guessing 12 feet.

if nothing else, should be able to get a number off the existing cable and look up the length of it
 

Teamster

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Nov 8, 2010
Messages
1,923
Dealing with hydraulic hoses that are too long is a royals pain.

I'm guessing 12 feet.

if nothing else, should be able to get a number off the existing cable and look up the length of it

Thanks,..

I haven't seen anything in a 12 foot length anywhere,

I'd like to have the kit sitting here when I get the boat back, I guess I might have to wait until
I get it back.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,313
Look around. They are out there
 
Last edited:

Teamster

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Nov 8, 2010
Messages
1,923
Look around. They are out there

I've looked all over the net,

The SeaStar Pro is only listed with 14,16,18,20,22,and 24 foot hoses,...Even here at I Boats,..

I can find 12 footers with systems not rated for 200hp or over 60 mph,....

I'd take a link if you have one.
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,074
Why do you want to go hydraulic? NFB rack or rotary systems work real well, and don't leak.

Both my neighbors have newer boats with hydraulic steering that have slight leaks and they are physically unwilling to crawl into the bilge (or elsewhere)to fix the leak and bleed the system. The hydraulic systems do not have reservoirs, so we need to fill them each year, to remove the play in the steering. Seems like a real PIA compared to cable steering.

I know that hydraulic steering is trendy....
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
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Jul 23, 2011
Messages
50,230
hydraulic steering with a small leak is soon no steering
 

Teamster

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Nov 8, 2010
Messages
1,923
Why do you want to go hydraulic? NFB rack or rotary systems work real well, and don't leak.

Both my neighbors have newer boats with hydraulic steering that have slight leaks and they are physically unwilling to crawl into the bilge (or elsewhere)to fix the leak and bleed the system. The hydraulic systems do not have reservoirs, so we need to fill them each year, to remove the play in the steering. Seems like a real PIA compared to cable steering.

I know that hydraulic steering is trendy....

Because I hate the rack and pinion system currently on the boat.
And with the re-power I'll be running significantly faster than before.
 

Teamster

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Nov 8, 2010
Messages
1,923
So, I ordered the kit with 14 foot hoses,..

Got everything installed, And the 14 footers are to short,..

So, I ordered a set of 16's,....

Can't wait to get out and see what the new to me Mec 200hp and new hydraulic steering work,...

Should find out next Sat
 

Teamster

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Nov 8, 2010
Messages
1,923
Got it all together,...

Wow, what a difference the steering makes,..

And the new to me 200hp is pretty cool as well!
 

DRCrowe

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 22, 2018
Messages
84
Sorry I didn't see this sooner. I had a rack system on my 20 foot barefoot Ski Centurion with a 225 and it was night and day difference. I used o fight the boat to drive it. Now I get to drive and enjoy. 3 years and so far so good. I'll never go back!
 
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