The SeaStar Hydraulic System

High-horsepower/high-speed boating is here and steering systems must perform at maximum capacity. The SeaStar Hydraulic Steering System is designed to provide that extra margin of muscle when needed and easily handles Outboard, Sterndrive and Inboard engines in boats up to 50 feet.

System selection, installation and service is substantially simplified with just three major components – helm, cylinder and tube or hose. SeaStar has a comprehensive range of available cylinders to handle a variety of Outboard, Sterndrive and Inboard steering applications. These are suitable for both pleasure and commercial applications. Extra steering stations and/or autopilots are easily added.

Selecting a System

The objective is to match the steering system to the requirements of the vessel. This depends on four things:

• Type of vessel (i.e.: planing or displacement)
• Type of propulsion system in the vessel (i.e.: Outboard, Sterndrive, Inboard, etc.)
• The number of engines or rudders
• The total power of the engines (i.e.: Horsepower)

Next choose a cylinder that best meets these requirements. Once the cylinder has been selected, the size of the helm pump is predetermined. The options left to specify are:

• The number of steering stations
• Helm configuration (i.e.: standard or tilt helm)
• Additional features such as autopilots

Proceed to the appropriate section of the web site for to make your selections.

Outboard
Sterndrive
Inboard

Notes on Steering Response versus Steering effort

Steering wheel effort is directly proportional to the number of wheel turns lock to lock. The number of wheel turns lock to lock is dependent on three things:

• The volume of the cylinder
• The displacement of the helm pump
• The allowable movement of the rudder or drive unit

Less wheel turns lock to lock results in more steering effort. More wheel turns lock to lock results in less steering effort. However, additional factors that can influence steering effort are:

• Vessel speed
• Rudder size
• Unusual propellor selections
• Hull type (i.e.: displacement, planing, etc.), and steering wheel size

Recommendations made on this web site are guidelines based on average acceptance of steering effort.