Navtec Backstay Ram Years ago the seal started leaking on the backstay ram. Chesapeake Rigging wanted $795 to inspect and rebuild it, and the work may reveal more expensive parts will be needed. (A new ram would cost a little over a grand.) Instead, I took the unit to a local hydraulic repair shop. They said the O-ring hailed because the sun's UV. They replaced all of the O-rings and bench tested the unit to 2x max pressure in front of me. The technicain said the O-rings cost him about 50 cents total and $5.00 would cover the work. I gave him the $5 and a $20 for beer.
He told me to drain the red auto transmission fluid from the system and replace with 10 weight non-detergent oil from NAPA, which I did. Chuck Resolute 1990 C&C 34R Atlantic City, NJ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Edd Schillay" <e...@schillay.com> To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 9:18:00 AM Subject: Re: Stus-List Backstay tension Dwight, I've replaced the fluid in my system and it was a pretty easy job to pump out the old fluid and replace it. Navtec does sell fluid, but you'd be better off dollar-wise getting standard hydraulic fluid at most larger auto supply stores. Autozone sells 64-oz bottles at $20. It's the same stuff. All the best, Edd Edd M. Schillay Starship Enterprise C&C 37/40+ | Sail No: NCC-1701-B City Island, NY Starship Enterprise's Captain's Log Website On Nov 27, 2012, at 9:06 AM, Joel Aronson < joel.aron...@gmail.com > wrote: Dwight, Navtec sells a fluid in about a 32 ounce bottle. I only found one rigger in Annapolis who carried it. Becasue my whole system needed to be flushed and rebuilt I did not tackle it, but it seems like you should be able to DIY. On the system that I have there is a reservoir, pump and piston. The fluid was sticking to the inside of the reservoir, so that had to be replaced too. I don't know if there is a recommended service interval, but if the fluid is cloudy I would seriously consider changing it. If you have a newer system that is all one unit it should be much easier. Joel 35/3 Annapolis On Tue, Nov 27, 2012 at 8:47 AM, dwight veinot < dwightvei...@hfx.eastlink.ca > wrote: Is it recommended to periodically replace the hydraulic fluid in the Navtec backstay adjusters? If so is it a DIY project and what is the recommended replacement fluid? Dwight Veinot C&C 35 MKII, Alianna Head of St. Margaret's Bay, NS From: CnC-List [mailto: cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com ] On Behalf Of Joel Aronson Sent: November 26, 2012 11:03 PM To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Subject: Re: Stus-List Backstay tension I have the same original unit as Jake. The fluid apparently had never been changed. It was like molasses instead of looking like vegetable oil. It would have been cheaper to replace it, but I didn't know that going in, so I had it all flushed and rebuilt. If your hydraulic backstay has never been serviced, it may need attention. Joel 35/3 Annapolis Sent from my iPad On Nov 26, 2012, at 7:46 PM, dwight veinot < dwightvei...@hfx.eastlink.ca > wrote: <blockquote> Jake My Navtec adjuster is probably an older unit than what you have. It came to me with the boat so I am guessing it is probably around 15 or more years old. It is an integral unit and the gage and knob for the relief valve are attached on opposite sides near the base of the square looking cylinder. I think it reads in psi and its readings correlate quite well at around 800-1200 psi when I check backstay tension with my Loos gage but my inexpensive Loos gage max’s out at around 1200 on 9/32 wire so it is not useful for tension comparisons above that. I have tensioned the backstay incrementally to 3000 lbs according to its gage but as I said earlier tensions above 1200 psi has no noticeable effect on pointing ability or boat speed but a slight effect on weather helm and head stay sag. I spend my cruising time fiddling around with a lot of adjustments and measurements but I am happy to admit that I am still learning and very interested in what others have to contribute. I guess I have been lucky that the hydraulic seals have lasted as long as they have without problems. Dwight Veinot C&C 35 MKII, Alianna Head of St. Margaret's Bay, NS From: CnC-List [ mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com ] On Behalf Of Jake Brodersen Sent: November 26, 2012 7:55 PM To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Subject: Re: Stus-List Backstay tension Dwight, If you Navtec gauge is like mine (in a panel), it probably reads direct pressure, not the pressure exerted on the backstay. They would be the same if the piston area was 1 sq. inch, but otherwise the pressure times the piston area will give you the tension on the backstay. Jake Jake Brodersen C&C 35 Mk-III "Midnight Mistress Hampton VA _______________________________________________ This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album http://www.cncphotoalbum.com CnC-List@cnc-list.com </blockquote> -- Joel 301 541 8551 _______________________________________________ This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album http://www.cncphotoalbum.com CnC-List@cnc-list.com _______________________________________________ This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album http://www.cncphotoalbum.com CnC-List@cnc-list.com
_______________________________________________ This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album http://www.cncphotoalbum.com CnC-List@cnc-list.com
