Using Seastar with Side Ram Steering

**Jamescole** · 05-11-2020, 06:14 PM

Hello all, does anyone have any experience with using Side ram with seastar helm? from what i have gathered the pro Helm will not work. and a non pro helm with a reservoir will. my question is, does anyone have model numbers and info on how to plumb in the reservoir ?

**TooStroked** · 05-12-2020, 05:26 AM

My Progression 22 came from the factory with Latham side ram / wing plate steering with a Sea Star helm. There is no remote reservoir. I'm not sure exactly which helm it is but I can tell you there is a small knob under the steering wheel that allows one to adjust effort / turns lock to lock. It's worked flawlessly since the boat was built.

I'd grab you part numbers but the boat is still in storage.

**tux974** · 05-12-2020, 05:33 AM

The 2.4 rear mount helm and plum to the fill like a Capillano. Try it without first some setups work without it very well.
Maybe want to try the remote fill hose longer then usual short piece so the hose has some fluid at all times.

Toostroke is talking about the Capillano 1275V and reason no reservoir is needed the helm is larger.

**Turborr** · 05-12-2020, 08:34 AM

I had a seastar helm with a single side Marine Machine ram. No reservoir. I cant remember if it was the 2.0 or the 2.4. Had it on my 21 challenger and I had no issues.

**rjdubiel** · 05-12-2020, 09:33 AM

2.4 standard helm works. Just cannot be a PRO Helm.
https://www.screamandfly.com/showthr...astar+side+ram

**vnemous** · 05-12-2020, 09:46 AM

Non Pro 2.4 helm, Marine Machine side ram. Vented cap on helm is necessary.

**Steve G** · 05-12-2020, 11:49 AM

I also have a P22 with the Capillano helm. It works fine even though Latham said it shouldn't due to the unbalanced ram. That's the way the boat was set up from Progression.

**catfish2race** · 05-13-2020, 05:07 AM

lock down relief valve and works fine.

**V-bottom** · 05-13-2020, 06:34 AM

Depends on the fluid volume of the cylinder versus the fluid volume of the helm. Non of the seastar helms I tried worked (the fluid volume is exactly the same on all of them) on the longer 9" stroke cylinder that I tried. They only work on most 7" stroke cylinders. The helms did not have enough fluid volume to work the cylinder all the way in both directions. The 1275 Capilano has a larger volume than the standard seastar helms and would have worked but would not fit nicely under my dash. Otherwise you have to add an overflow tank (above the height of the helm) or add the costly power steering unit.

**tux974** · 05-13-2020, 08:35 AM

If you purchase the power steering unit you can use the 1.7 helm, pump will do the work and hold additional fluid.

**WILDMAN** · 05-13-2020, 08:49 AM

I used a 2.4 helm with two marine machine rams on my twin 21 liberator. No issues other than 11 turns lock to lock. Kinda like power steering!

**JPEROG** · 05-13-2020, 10:54 AM

I have three boats set up with side ram steering and seastar helms. None of them have any additional reservoirs. My STV does have the power assist steering unit. All of them have 9 inch rams "two latham and one marine machine" as Randy stated above, his old 21 twin had two cylinders-you need to make sure there is no air.

Joe

**Steve G** · 05-13-2020, 11:26 AM

Ridding the system of air is key. Otherwise the piston and rod will bounce on the air and wear a spot in the cylinder.

**Hydro2.5** · 05-13-2020, 06:13 PM

I have a 2.4 non pro helm with an Imco ram. No reservoir. Works great.

**jcoop421** · 05-14-2020, 10:53 AM

so I just had a imco side ram installed on my 22 activator with a pro helm 2.0 (1500) psi. PN HH5770-3 with the kevlar hoses and it gets very tight, it doesn't have a vented cap and I think that's what im going to install next. when I extend the ram out all the way its fine but when I go to turn right it starts to get very tight and I have to release the cap on top of the helm to release the pressure out. trying to figure out a way around this.