Leaking

[aldo]

I got a leaking from the gasket of the seal gland of the SeaStar Steering piston of my Yammy F150s. The result is a half empty steering circuit, but the helm is still functional, apart an idling behaviour at the very end of the turning. Do you think that I can cruise the boat until the general maintenance programmed in few weeks? I tried to refill the system but I got just a nasty oil pudle at the bottom of the helm station...

[keezy]

Loosing steering control is not a good thing. Sounds like the leaking is coming from the helm.

Mine started leaking from the front seal over the winter. I replaced it a few weeks ago. It's not hard to replace, just need a few unusual tools like a 15/16 socket and a gear puller. This article is very helpful: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/teleflexSeal.html

[Idi_Amin]

In theory you could cruise it, since it will get marginally worse as time goes. However, I would not because short of sinking, a steering failure is about the worse thing that could happen to you out on the water. Loss of directional control could be absolutely catastrophic at speed.

Had my helm unit rebuilt about a year ago for a couple hundred bucks plus parts. Worth the peace at mind for me . . .