On my current rig I'm running a SeaStar HC5345. It's finally at the point where it has what I would consider "an unsafe" amount of play in it. The plastic bushings in the yolk bracket are worn out and SS will not repair them. I've been looking into replacing the cylinder and the more and more I dig into it, the less I want to use the current SeaStar teleflex system. I could add a stainless washer to "soak up" some of the slack on the cylinder, but the mounting point at the pivot bolt does not have an option to correct the slack.

The Mercury UFLEX system seems to be all stainless from shims to bushings. Not saying it cannot wear out, but IMO stainless should last much longer than plastic like in the current system. Also the cylinder is compatible with my current helm and lines.


Anyone running one of these? I know they are fairly new in terms of how long they have been out. Just curious before I pull the trigger.....steering systems are not cheap.

I have not used one, but the Uflex will be my next one. Here is what the Mercury sponsor on BBC said about them.

"We now replace the cylinder with a Mercury-Branded (U-flex manufactured) HD Cylinder that is FAR more robust, and has a VERY good track record in terms of durability and longevity."
http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=743085

Yeah I saw that on BBC as well. I can't find anything bad about them.....but I figured I'd ask before I made the purchase. Thank you for your insight.

you can purchase the plastic bushings from SeaStar. When I go my SS Pro they left out one of the plastic washers, called SS and they sent me an entire kit.

have had several units an no problems with them. we used to not have any problems with sea star systems then it seems like every time I traded for a boat the seals would be leaking an would have to be changed they make great money on the seal kits or they would just sell the actual seal themselves like trim seals jmo.

Funny you say that, when I installed SeaStar Pro one of the plastic washers was missing. I contacted them and the sent me the entire kit.