hydraulic steering Hydraulic Steering BayStar vs. SeaStar

[Effie4Bass]

It has been some time since I have been here mainly because of health reasons causing me to miss all of the 2017 season here in Maine.  If any of you know Maine the season is relatively short - April to October depending on ice out and ice up.  If we get five months were very lucky.  Now the reason for my post:

I currently have a 90 Yamaha on a 2002 18 foot PolarKraft aluminum "High Performance", "Pro Bass" boat with Bay Star hydraulic steering.  I'm repowering with a Yamaha SHO VMax 115 and the dealer tells me I should upgrade to a Sea Star system. Information for Bay Star says it has the capability to handle a 150 HP  outboard.  Has anyone used a Bay Star on a 150HP outboard and have you had any hydraulic steering problems.  I think my dealer is thinking about blown seals or oil leaks.  I figure I should stay with the Bay Star unit and if it fails then do the upgrade.  Does any one have any input????  Thanks in advance.  Fred 

Oh Oh - no spell check!!!!!!!

[slonezp]

If the baystar is rated to 150 and you are not currently having issues, maybe just a seal replacement on the current set up is all that is needed rather than replacing the entire system. 

[Siebert Outdoors]

I've only used SeaStar but I have had my seals go bad.  Like slonezp said.  If its leaking reseal it.  Thats what I did to mine, it was a couple hundred in labor and fluid compared to the grand it would have been.  Works like a champ now.  If you are only running a 115 and its rated for a 150 why upgrade.