Bay Star Install SR 19

[GregE]

About to start installing the Bay Star Steering in the SR 19-  I've had the kit nearly a year........  Buddy Mike will come over Monday so I put it in the shop bay today.

I took a similar picture last year before we swapped the single axle trailer for a tandem and had the radome off.  I was concerned about clearance thru the 10 x 10 shop door but had 5 " after Bandaid pushed the roll up door up a couple inches.   :biggrin:



The 19 on the old trailer further back next to KODAK  - who won't fit in the shop without modifying the opening to the open bay.



Project pictures to follow.  Any last minute lessons learned?   :arms:

[Mcneilcab]

Greg,
Did you have the rocket launcher custom made ? I'd love to find something like that for my boat

[GregE]

Mac, the original owner put it on.. it's 1" tubing- rather light compared to most mounts around here.

I've considered upgrading but it has been doing OK.

[HemiGTX]

I don't recall any issues or tricks required to mount hydraulic steering.  Be sure and have another bottle of seastar fluid on hand when bleeding.  They don't provide enough in the kit to do it properly.

Say hello to Michael for me, and let him know that a lot of that 9mm brass was fired through an MP-5, which has a fluted chamber that puts those vertical lines in the brass. 

[GregE]

Will do Hemi
Pushed it back until Tuesday-  trying to find the bleeder pump tank I bought several months ago.....   

[Hydroman]

I thought I was the only one always looking for something.  The bigger the shop the more places to hide things.  Guarantee you will find it as soon as you get back from town after you have bought another one.

Jim

[GregE]

BK  Here's the hull mount bolt pattern.  click to enlarge

G

[GregE]

OK, back on track............

Mike came over at 10 and we had the install done and bled by 3.  Ran into a few issues I'll share with pictures.

WE took the SawzAll to the old cable-  May have been able to get it out but time was limited

Pulling the Safe Steer cable gear I found an odd shaped hole that wouldn't support the BayStar pump.  Only two bolts would have dash wood.



So, we cut a template/ backer plate to trim the little bit off the dash and then would sister mount behind the dash to give needed support for all 4 bolts.  Doing things as they should be has always been my goal.



Helm pump fill and bleed





Now I have to zip tie all the wires-  should have stock in that company.



Water test next.   :biggrin:

[Mcneilcab]

Looks like it went well. I'm trying to install seastar steering and because I have twin outboards I'm running into i$$ues.? we'll save that story for another time.....glad yours looks happy.

[HemiGTX]

Very nice!  You have to wonder what someone was thinking with that hole in the dash...

I'm impressed that you were able to bleed it with 1.5 qts.  I seem to recall needing over two qts.

Does this mean we will see you this Saturday?

[Yachter Yat]

   I'm with Hemi.......who the hell would cut a hole in the dash like that?   If I asked, do you suppose they'd blame it on Belinda? 

Yat

[Crackerbox]

Looks great!  This is my next upgrade if I don't need to sell the boat.

Joe

[GregE]

Hey now, don't pick on Belinda.  Many of us will fight to save her honor 

I know it is stronger mounted with the sistered* plywood than the dash alone-  stronger is good.

*( learned that term/ technique from our remodel builder.  Useful for reinforcing deck supports, wall studs, etc     )

[Markshoreline]

Whoever cut that hole couldn't find their hole saw!

[GregE]

For those thinking about doing one  the Baystar install went well.
Still need to do a water test before Neah Bay though- like soon!!

[TJ Arima]

For those thinking about doing one  the Baystar install went well.
Still need to do a water test before Neah Bay though- like soon!!

Nice work GregE. Way to make it right! I just did mine too but couldn't take pictures cause my phone is in the bottom of the ocean. About the same time for the install. I was lucky my helm hole was exactly 3". And it looks like the original helm came from arima like that. I was also able to push my steering rod thru the hole on the side of transom so I didn't have to cut the cable. The hard part was bleeding, had to do it many times due to incompetent helper....haha.

Quick note for those who's planning to do this. I carefully unwound my stiff baystar hoses and tied the ends to a posts on each side of the garage. Don't pull them too tight, just straight enough. After over night in the heated garage, they were easy to work with feeding from the helm toward engine.

Great Job GregE and thanks for the cool pictures. Crazy helm hole you had there!!

[GregE]

Sure wish I had laid out the hoses ahead of time - serious curl set took a lot of hand straightening.

[GregE]

Finally did a water trial yesterday-  Bay Star Steering works great!!  :applause:   Very little slop in the ram piston when moving the motor back and forth so I Believe we got a good line bleed.

2 on board with about 30 gallons of fuel top speed 29 knots at 5600, 4 blade stainless Solas prop.  With the two batteries under the L companion seat as well as the kicker it sets way L low until it starts to get on plane.  I'll have to re-look the battery location ( may add a companion seat at the helm)  but not now.  Will put all the bottom weights behind the helm seat and use the pax as moving ballast.