Seastar steering

[tonyiiiafl]

I was on a sea trial for a friend yesterday. 1998 Silverton 292. I took the helm and was amazed at how smooth ans easy teh steering was. i asked if it was power steering, and owner said, no just Seastar helm . I asked how it was so easy and smooth and he said he just bled it.

My 1994 290 has Seastar however, steering is pretty hard to turn, and some play in wheel. Would this be a bleeding issue? has anyone used the Seastar bleeding kit? Just looking for input.

Thank you as always.

[km1125]

Bleeding will cure problems with smoothness or jerking of the wheel as you turn it, but won't likely make it any easier. If yours is hard to turn you either have obstructions in the hydraulics, or some binding in the steering gear or linkage.

[bud37]

Tony , two completely different boats...the hull shape, weight, rudder sizes if they had inboards.......maybe outdrives.....not a fair comparison at all. I would not concern myself based on that experience IMO.

[tonyiiiafl]

The silverton was 39’, twin 8.1’s full inboards. I am comfortable with mine, just was in shock at how easy it steered

[tonyiiiafl]

Source of the post Tony , two completely different boats...the hull shape, weight, rudder sizes if they had inboards.......maybe outdrives.....not a fair comparison at all. I would not concern myself based on that experience IMO.

OOPS, my 390! not 290

[Cooler]

There are power assisted systems also. That may have been the system on the Silverton. Are you experiencing any other symptoms, other than it is just not as easy to turn? er

[tonyiiiafl]

Nonn no other symptoms. Nit a lot of play just not an easy grin like that silverton

[tonyiiiafl]

I got my Seastar bleed kit (West was $49.99 JUST for the bleed hose! Amazon was $21.99 for that hose AND the piston by pass hose ). ANyway, I removed the plug, put the bleed hose on the fluid and turned lock to lock. After a few turns air cam bubbling out. I did this for 3 or 4 minutes. Yes, now it does steer a lot easier.