FORE  &  AFT  MARINE

TELEFLEX STEERING SYSTEM 

INTRODUCTION Boating Safety is Everyone's Responsibility As a boater, you are responsible for having all required safety equipment, for operating your boat safety and for ensuring the safety of those on board your vessel as well as those sharing the waterways. Boaters exercising courtesy and common sense will not create a hazard, threat, stress or an irritant to themselves, to others, to the environment, or to wildlife. Wear an approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) Read your owner's manual. Attach engine stop switch securely to your body or PFD. Respect the speed limits and other boating restrictions. Be cautious and courteous. Navigate with care. Understand the behavior characteristics of your vessel that might result from unexpected maneuvers, such as sudden deceleration, high-speed obstacle avoidance, and other speed related issues. Become informed and stay informed! "Take an accredited boating safety course"   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. The SeaStar system 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. SeaStar hydraulic steering is a total commitment to quality, performance and simplicity. SeaStar, the hydraulic steering system that is: Easy to install... Only three components: helm, cylinder & tube or hose Compact and attractive helm design Variety of helm mounting configurations Simple tube/hose fitting connections Clear, complete installation instructions Easy to fill and purge... Engineered bleed fittings on the cylinders A helm and lock valve design that enhances air removal A no-mess filler device A filling and purging time of normally less than 30 minutes Easy to check for proper installation Easy purging check via filler device No searching for difficult-to-find air leaks Easy to turn... Anti-friction piston points Designed to provide many years of service... Precision built Heavy-duty bearings instead of bushings All metal construction No corrosive materials exposed to marine environment Field replaceable helm and cylinder shaft seals A no-hassle warranty – 2 years for pleasure use – 1 year for commercial use SeaStar! Simply the best!

SYSTEM COMPONENTS
	SeaStar manual hydraulic steering systems are simple and efficient. The basic system consists of three main components: the helm pump, the cylinder, and the hose or tubing required to connect the cylinder to the helm pump. These basic components are necessary in all applications. However as the system variables increase (e.g.: multiple engines, rudders, steering stations and autopilots), additional components may be required.
1. The Helm Unit The SeaStar helm pump is an axial piston pump specifically designed for manual steering. It has a built-in lock valve to prevent the steering load from feeding back to the driver. The lock valve will not allow the rudder or drive unit to move until you move it with the steering wheel. The lock valve section of the helm also includes a relief valve. This relief valve provides over-pressure protection for mechanical components and hydraulic hoses and fittings. 2. The Cylinder The most important differences between the variety of SeaStar steering systems available is the cylinder selection. The SeaStar system has a cylinder for most steering applications. 3. Hoses and Tubes Required to provide a path for the fluid to flow under pressure from the helm pump to the cylinder.

HOW IT WORKS The SeaStar system is a two-line system. This makes operation very simple.

The steering wheel, which is attached to the helm pump, is rotated in the desired direction (i.e.: a turn to starboard or clockwise rotation). Oil is pumped out the corresponding port from the rear of the helm into the starboard line and then into the cylinder. This causes the cylinder rod, which is attached to the vessels rudder or drive unit, to move (i.e.: rod moves to port) thus causing the vessel to alter course. Oil displaced from the opposite end (i.e.: the port end) of the cylinder flows (i.e.: into the port line) back to the helm pump. For steering in the opposite direction, simply turn the helm the other way. When no course corrections are required, the integral lock valve holds the rudder or drive unit stationary.

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.: planning 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 propeller selections, hull type (i.e.: displacement, planning, etc.), and steering wheel size. Recommendations made on this web site are guidelines based on average acceptance of steering effort.

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