Stus-List Re: Navtec hydraulic backstay - amateur rebuild

[Glenn Henderson via CnC-List]

Good hint about the oil. It makes sense. Thanks!

Glenn Henderson

On Thu, Feb 15, 2024 at 4:38 PM Bill Coleman via CnC-List <
cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote:

> I just went through all that myself in the last couple of years. Kind of
> like filling your car tires.   At first, I borrowed one of my crewmates
> nitrogen tank and regulator, as he had one for his airplane landing gear. I
> think it only went to 500 lb. Plus it was a little constraining with the
> short hose he had. Long story short, I had the local hydraulic shop make me
> a longer hose, I bought a thousand pound regulator off eBay, and I just use
> his tank. (Although he fills it up and charges it to me anyway.!) I don't
> know what model  you have, but I have a Sailtec, and even though I read in
> the manual to put something like 10 or 12 oz of oil in before charging, I
> figured well, they would have done that already. And before the Summer was
> out, it had lost its charge. Next year, I put the oil in, and voila still
> stiff as.. it needs to be.
>
> Bill Coleman
>
> On Thu, Feb 15, 2024, 12:14 Glenn Henderson via CnC-List <
> cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote:
>
>> Didn you recondition a boom vang? If so, where did you get the nitrogen
>> recharge accomplished?
>>
>> Glenn Henderson
>> WeGo
>> C 41
>>
>> On Thu, Feb 15, 2024 at 12:10 PM Dennis C. via CnC-List <
>> cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Glad it worked for you.  You're welcome.
>>>
>>> Dennis C.
>>> Touche' 35-1 #83
>>> Mandevile, LA
>>>
>>> On Wed, Feb 14, 2024, 7:15 AM Tom A via CnC-List 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 Shout out to Dennis for helping me replace the end seals on my Navtec,

 Tom A


 Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site
 and help me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
 https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
 Thanks for your help.
 Stu
>>>
>>> Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and
>>> help me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
>>> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
>>> Thanks for your help.
>>> Stu
>>
>> Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and
>> help me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
>> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
>> Thanks for your help.
>> Stu
>
> Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and
> help me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
> Thanks for your help.
> Stu
Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and help 
me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
Thanks for your help.
Stu

Stus-List Re: Navtec hydraulic backstay - amateur rebuild

[Bill Coleman via CnC-List]

I just went through all that myself in the last couple of years. Kind of
like filling your car tires.   At first, I borrowed one of my crewmates
nitrogen tank and regulator, as he had one for his airplane landing gear. I
think it only went to 500 lb. Plus it was a little constraining with the
short hose he had. Long story short, I had the local hydraulic shop make me
a longer hose, I bought a thousand pound regulator off eBay, and I just use
his tank. (Although he fills it up and charges it to me anyway.!) I don't
know what model  you have, but I have a Sailtec, and even though I read in
the manual to put something like 10 or 12 oz of oil in before charging, I
figured well, they would have done that already. And before the Summer was
out, it had lost its charge. Next year, I put the oil in, and voila still
stiff as.. it needs to be.

Bill Coleman

On Thu, Feb 15, 2024, 12:14 Glenn Henderson via CnC-List <
cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote:

> Didn you recondition a boom vang? If so, where did you get the nitrogen
> recharge accomplished?
>
> Glenn Henderson
> WeGo
> C 41
>
> On Thu, Feb 15, 2024 at 12:10 PM Dennis C. via CnC-List <
> cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote:
>
>> Glad it worked for you.  You're welcome.
>>
>> Dennis C.
>> Touche' 35-1 #83
>> Mandevile, LA
>>
>> On Wed, Feb 14, 2024, 7:15 AM Tom A via CnC-List 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Shout out to Dennis for helping me replace the end seals on my Navtec,
>>>
>>> Tom A
>>>
>>>
>>> Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and
>>> help me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
>>> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
>>> Thanks for your help.
>>> Stu
>>
>> Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and
>> help me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
>> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
>> Thanks for your help.
>> Stu
>
> Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and
> help me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
> Thanks for your help.
> Stu
Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and help 
me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
Thanks for your help.
Stu

Stus-List Re: Navtec hydraulic backstay - amateur rebuild

[Glenn Henderson via CnC-List]

Didn you recondition a boom vang? If so, where did you get the nitrogen
recharge accomplished?

Glenn Henderson
WeGo
C 41

On Thu, Feb 15, 2024 at 12:10 PM Dennis C. via CnC-List <
cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote:

> Glad it worked for you.  You're welcome.
>
> Dennis C.
> Touche' 35-1 #83
> Mandevile, LA
>
> On Wed, Feb 14, 2024, 7:15 AM Tom A via CnC-List 
> wrote:
>
>> Shout out to Dennis for helping me replace the end seals on my Navtec,
>>
>> Tom A
>>
>>
>> Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and
>> help me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
>> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
>> Thanks for your help.
>> Stu
>
> Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and
> help me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
> Thanks for your help.
> Stu
Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and help 
me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
Thanks for your help.
Stu

Stus-List Re: Navtec hydraulic backstay - amateur rebuild

[Dennis C. via CnC-List]

Glad it worked for you.  You're welcome.

Dennis C.
Touche' 35-1 #83
Mandevile, LA

On Wed, Feb 14, 2024, 7:15 AM Tom A via CnC-List 
wrote:

> Shout out to Dennis for helping me replace the end seals on my Navtec,
>
> Tom A
>
>
> Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and
> help me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
> Thanks for your help.
> Stu
Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and help 
me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
Thanks for your help.
Stu

Stus-List Re: Navtec hydraulic backstay - amateur rebuild

[Tom A via CnC-List]

Shout out to Dennis for helping me replace the end seals on my Navtec,

Tom A
Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and help 
me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
Thanks for your help.
Stu

Stus-List Re: Navtec hydraulic backstay - amateur rebuild

[paul.hood via CnC-List]

I had my pump, backstay and boomvang all serviced by Western Hydralics in 
Ontario Canada. They did servicing at different times from $275 cdn to $425 cdn 
for each piece. For the American, if shipping is feasible, that's seems to be 
much less with the exchange rate. I had the boomvang snap in half 
(literally)some years back (never realized why) and they rebuilt it entirely 
with a new aluminum tubing and tapped for refitting and rebuilding to the 
existing. They are a big industrial shop and these little pieces don't seem to 
be a problem. They also didn't look specifically for Navtec parts as they 
sourced generic and fabricated their own as needed. They also put the 650lbs of 
gas in my vang and periodically top up when needed.  I've always been happy 
with their workPaul Hood416.799.5549
 Original message From: cenelson--- via CnC-List 
 Date: 2024-01-07  10:40 p.m.  (GMT-05:00) To: Stus-List 
, CnClist  Cc: cenel...@aol.com 
Subject: Stus-List Re: Navtec hydraulic backstay - amateur rebuild 
Great detailed write-up Dennis! If I had known it was coming, I might have done 
the equivalent rebuild of my 28 year old Navtec/Sailtec unit myself. Alas, I 
just picked it up from my local hydraulic shop after a complete rebuild 
including the internal seals, etc. about 3 weeks ago!Initially the shop claimed 
there was no longer a rebuild kit available for this old unit but when I picked 
it up, they told me that Navtec/Sailtec located what they claimed was the last 
kit in existence on a little used shelf in their shop/warehouse so the shop was 
able to do a complete rebuild.For reference purposes, the total cost of my 
rebuild was $652.73, including shipping of kit to NC and NC 7% sales tax. I 
drove it to and from the shop myself. The equivalent new replacement was north 
of $2000 and this was the second rebuild of the cylinder in 28 years (by the 
same shop).  It could likely be rebuilt again in another 14 years but that 
won’t be my problem unless I’m still trying to figure out how to improve my 
club racing when I ‘m in my 90s!Charlie Nelson1995 C 36XL/kcbWater Phantom  
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOSOn Sunday, January 7, 2024, 3:44 PM, 
Dennis C. via CnC-List  wrote:A fellow boater had a 
Navtec integral hydraulic backstay adjuster that blew the top seal.  As many of 
you know, this is probably the most common failure for these.  Exposure to UV 
and the elements deteriorates the rod wiper at the top of the cylinder and it's 
downhill from there.  (I recommend a 1/2 washer on top of the cylinder.)This 
list has been down this road many times.  There's always a discussion whether 
to take the thing to a local hydraulic shop or let Lew Townsend in Seattle 
rebuild it.  For the record, I sent Touche's adjuster to Lew a couple years ago 
and am a satisfied Lew client.So I called Lew and chatted with him about this 
"orphan" adjuster.  He asked some critical questions.  Was I going to keep it 
as a spare?  Was I going to try to auction it?  He commented that neither 
option was particularly economical.  H.  Then we talked about snow skiing.  
We're both avid skiers.After some thought, I tended to agree with Lew.  
Including shipping, a rebuild would be north of $400-500.  An expensive gamble 
to have it sit on eBay for weeks like others I've seen.So I decided to give the 
rebuild a shot myself.  The Navtec seal kit, IF you can find one, is about 
$200.  Philosophically, it's not much more than a manual hydraulic jack that 
compresses rather than lifts.  Internet research turned up a set of rebuild 
instructions.  See 
here:https://www.plaisance-pratique.com/IMG/pdf/navtec_hydraulik_service_manual.pdfArmed
 with instructions and a pair of calipers, off I went.  Disassembly of the 
cylinder was fairly straightforward.  I found several equivalent seals at 
mcmaster.com.  For those who are really interested, parts below are referenced 
on Page 8.Part  Qty   Navtec     Mcmaster  Price31      2    HJ-2-215   9452K36 
   $12.08   (Needed 2.  Had to buy 100)35      1    HI-005       9505K39     
$4.8336      1    HN-002     9403K55      $2.30Jug of Fram Hydraulic Jack Oil 
AW32.  $10Reassembly went well.  I strapped it between two trees in my backyard 
and pressured it up.  I noticed the thing was leaking from the pump piston.  
Okay, I pulled the pump handle and piston.  The piston rod seal disintegrated 
when I removed it.  Turned out this is a generic U seal with o-ring 
1/4x1/2x1/4.  Internet search on the Navtec number turned up numerous 
suppliers.  I bought it from Crescent Hydraulics in south Florida.Part  Qty   
Navtec                   Crescent                    Price39      1    
12500250-250B   P125-00,250-250B       $4.05It's now back between the trees 
pressured up to 500-700.  Hard to tell because the gauge lens is very crazed.  
But it seems to be holding.  I'll know for sure in a couple days.Granted, I did 
not get into the actual pump assembly and all the ch

Stus-List Re: Navtec hydraulic backstay - amateur rebuild

[cenelson--- via CnC-List]

Great detailed write-up Dennis! 
If I had known it was coming, I might have done the equivalent rebuild of my 28 
year old Navtec/Sailtec unit myself. Alas, I just picked it up from my local 
hydraulic shop after a complete rebuild including the internal seals, etc. 
about 3 weeks ago!
Initially the shop claimed there was no longer a rebuild kit available for this 
old unit but when I picked it up, they told me that Navtec/Sailtec located what 
they claimed was the last kit in existence on a little used shelf in their 
shop/warehouse so the shop was able to do a complete rebuild.
For reference purposes, the total cost of my rebuild was $652.73, including 
shipping of kit to NC and NC 7% sales tax. I drove it to and from the shop 
myself. 
The equivalent new replacement was north of $2000 and this was the second 
rebuild of the cylinder in 28 years (by the same shop). 
 It could likely be rebuilt again in another 14 years but that won’t be my 
problem unless I’m still trying to figure out how to improve my club racing 
when I ‘m in my 90s!
Charlie Nelson1995 C 36XL/kcbWater Phantom  


Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS


On Sunday, January 7, 2024, 3:44 PM, Dennis C. via CnC-List 
 wrote:

A fellow boater had a Navtec integral hydraulic backstay adjuster that blew the 
top seal.  As many of you know, this is probably the most common failure for 
these.  Exposure to UV and the elements deteriorates the rod wiper at the top 
of the cylinder and it's downhill from there.  (I recommend a 1/2 washer on top 
of the cylinder.)
This list has been down this road many times.  There's always a discussion 
whether to take the thing to a local hydraulic shop or let Lew Townsend in 
Seattle rebuild it.  For the record, I sent Touche's adjuster to Lew a couple 
years ago and am a satisfied Lew client.
So I called Lew and chatted with him about this "orphan" adjuster.  He asked 
some critical questions.  Was I going to keep it as a spare?  Was I going to 
try to auction it?  He commented that neither option was particularly 
economical.  H.  Then we talked about snow skiing.  We're both avid skiers.
After some thought, I tended to agree with Lew.  Including shipping, a rebuild 
would be north of $400-500.  An expensive gamble to have it sit on eBay for 
weeks like others I've seen.
So I decided to give the rebuild a shot myself.  The Navtec seal kit, IF you 
can find one, is about $200.  Philosophically, it's not much more than a manual 
hydraulic jack that compresses rather than lifts.  Internet research turned up 
a set of rebuild instructions.  See here:
https://www.plaisance-pratique.com/IMG/pdf/navtec_hydraulik_service_manual.pdf
Armed with instructions and a pair of calipers, off I went.  Disassembly of the 
cylinder was fairly straightforward.  I found several equivalent seals at 
mcmaster.com.  For those who are really interested, parts below are referenced 
on Page 8.
Part  Qty   Navtec     Mcmaster  Price31      2    HJ-2-215   9452K36    $12.08 
  (Needed 2.  Had to buy 100)35      1    HI-005       9505K39     $4.8336      
1    HN-002     9403K55      $2.30
Jug of Fram Hydraulic Jack Oil AW32.  $10
Reassembly went well.  I strapped it between two trees in my backyard and 
pressured it up.  I noticed the thing was leaking from the pump piston.  Okay, 
I pulled the pump handle and piston.  The piston rod seal disintegrated when I 
removed it.  Turned out this is a generic U seal with o-ring 1/4x1/2x1/4.  
Internet search on the Navtec number turned up numerous suppliers.  I bought it 
from Crescent Hydraulics in south Florida.
Part  Qty   Navtec                   Crescent                    Price
39      1    12500250-250B   P125-00,250-250B       $4.05
It's now back between the trees pressured up to 500-700.  Hard to tell because 
the gauge lens is very crazed.  But it seems to be holding.  I'll know for sure 
in a couple days.
Granted, I did not get into the actual pump assembly and all the check valves, 
etc.  The cylinder walls, rods, etc. seemed to be in excellent condition so no 
polishing was necessary.  
So far I'm in it for less than $50.
I want to replace the pressure gauge.  I can't find a generic one that is 
equivalent.  It needs to be a certain shape for the gauge cover to fit it.  It 
looks like a gauge off a fire extinguisher.  Oh. well.  A challenge for later.
-- 
Dennis C.Touche' 35-1 #83Mandeville, LAPlease show your appreciation for this 
list and the Photo Album site and help me pay the associated bills.  Make a 
contribution at:
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
Thanks for your help.
Stu


Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and help 
me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
Thanks for your help.
Stu

Stus-List Re: Navtec hydraulic backstay - amateur rebuild

[Peter McMinn via CnC-List]

Dennis, this is super description complete with part numbers. Thanks!

Interested to hear any updates on your diy assembly.

The Navtec on my 37 doesn’t leak fluid, but may be low or time to change.
Recovery after each pump is slow.

Peter McMinn

 _/)



On Sun, Jan 7, 2024 at 12:44 PM Dennis C. via CnC-List <
cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote:

> A fellow boater had a Navtec integral hydraulic backstay adjuster that
> blew the top seal.  As many of you know, this is probably the most common
> failure for these.  Exposure to UV and the elements deteriorates the rod
> wiper at the top of the cylinder and it's downhill from there.  (I
> recommend a 1/2 washer on top of the cylinder.)
>
> This list has been down this road many times.  There's always a discussion
> whether to take the thing to a local hydraulic shop or let Lew Townsend in
> Seattle rebuild it.  For the record, I sent Touche's adjuster to Lew a
> couple years ago and am a satisfied Lew client.
>
> So I called Lew and chatted with him about this "orphan" adjuster.  He
> asked some critical questions.  Was I going to keep it as a spare?  Was I
> going to try to auction it?  He commented that neither option was
> particularly economical.  H.  Then we talked about snow skiing.  We're
> both avid skiers.
>
> After some thought, I tended to agree with Lew.  Including shipping, a
> rebuild would be north of $400-500.  An expensive gamble to have it sit on
> eBay for weeks like others I've seen.
>
> So I decided to give the rebuild a shot myself.  The Navtec seal kit, IF
> you can find one, is about $200.  Philosophically, it's not much more than
> a manual hydraulic jack that compresses rather than lifts.  Internet
> research turned up a set of rebuild instructions.  See here:
>
>
> https://www.plaisance-pratique.com/IMG/pdf/navtec_hydraulik_service_manual.pdf
>
> Armed with instructions and a pair of calipers, off I went.  Disassembly
> of the cylinder was fairly straightforward.  I found several equivalent
> seals at mcmaster.com.  For those who are really interested, parts below
> are referenced on Page 8.
>
> Part  Qty   Navtec Mcmaster  Price
> 31  2HJ-2-215   9452K36$12.08   (Needed 2.  Had to buy 100)
> 35  1HI-005   9505K39 $4.83
> 36  1HN-002 9403K55  $2.30
>
> Jug of Fram Hydraulic Jack Oil AW32.  $10
>
> Reassembly went well.  I strapped it between two trees in my backyard and
> pressured it up.  I noticed the thing was leaking from the pump piston.
> Okay, I pulled the pump handle and piston.  The piston rod seal
> disintegrated when I removed it.  Turned out this is a generic U seal with
> o-ring 1/4x1/2x1/4.  Internet search on the Navtec number turned up
> numerous suppliers.  I bought it from Crescent Hydraulics in south Florida.
>
> Part  Qty   Navtec   CrescentPrice
> 39  112500250-250B   P125-00,250-250B   $4.05
>
> It's now back between the trees pressured up to 500-700.  Hard to tell
> because the gauge lens is very crazed.  But it seems to be holding.  I'll
> know for sure in a couple days.
>
> Granted, I did not get into the actual pump assembly and all the check
> valves, etc.  The cylinder walls, rods, etc. seemed to be in excellent
> condition so no polishing was necessary.
>
> So far I'm in it for less than $50.
>
> I want to replace the pressure gauge.  I can't find a generic one that is
> equivalent.  It needs to be a certain shape for the gauge cover to fit it.
> It looks like a gauge off a fire extinguisher.  Oh. well.  A challenge for
> later.
>
> --
> Dennis C.
> Touche' 35-1 #83
> Mandeville, LA
> Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and
> help me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
> Thanks for your help.
> Stu
Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and help 
me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
Thanks for your help.
Stu

Stus-List Re: Navtec hydraulic backstay - amateur rebuild

[Bruno Lachance via CnC-List]

Thank you for sharing this. I will keep it as reference.

C 33-2
Bruno Lachance

Le 7 janv. 2024 à 15:45, Dennis C. via CnC-List  a écrit 
:


A fellow boater had a Navtec integral hydraulic backstay adjuster that blew the 
top seal.  As many of you know, this is probably the most common failure for 
these.  Exposure to UV and the elements deteriorates the rod wiper at the top 
of the cylinder and it's downhill from there.  (I recommend a 1/2 washer on top 
of the cylinder.)

This list has been down this road many times.  There's always a discussion 
whether to take the thing to a local hydraulic shop or let Lew Townsend in 
Seattle rebuild it.  For the record, I sent Touche's adjuster to Lew a couple 
years ago and am a satisfied Lew client.

So I called Lew and chatted with him about this "orphan" adjuster.  He asked 
some critical questions.  Was I going to keep it as a spare?  Was I going to 
try to auction it?  He commented that neither option was particularly 
economical.  H.  Then we talked about snow skiing.  We're both avid skiers.

After some thought, I tended to agree with Lew.  Including shipping, a rebuild 
would be north of $400-500.  An expensive gamble to have it sit on eBay for 
weeks like others I've seen.

So I decided to give the rebuild a shot myself.  The Navtec seal kit, IF you 
can find one, is about $200.  Philosophically, it's not much more than a manual 
hydraulic jack that compresses rather than lifts.  Internet research turned up 
a set of rebuild instructions.  See here:

https://www.plaisance-pratique.com/IMG/pdf/navtec_hydraulik_service_manual.pdf

Armed with instructions and a pair of calipers, off I went.  Disassembly of the 
cylinder was fairly straightforward.  I found several equivalent seals at 
mcmaster.com.  For those who are really interested, parts 
below are referenced on Page 8.

Part  Qty   Navtec Mcmaster  Price
31  2HJ-2-215   9452K36$12.08   (Needed 2.  Had to buy 100)
35  1HI-005   9505K39 $4.83
36  1HN-002 9403K55  $2.30

Jug of Fram Hydraulic Jack Oil AW32.  $10

Reassembly went well.  I strapped it between two trees in my backyard and 
pressured it up.  I noticed the thing was leaking from the pump piston.  Okay, 
I pulled the pump handle and piston.  The piston rod seal disintegrated when I 
removed it.  Turned out this is a generic U seal with o-ring 1/4x1/2x1/4.  
Internet search on the Navtec number turned up numerous suppliers.  I bought it 
from Crescent Hydraulics in south Florida.

Part  Qty   Navtec   CrescentPrice
39  112500250-250B   P125-00,250-250B   $4.05

It's now back between the trees pressured up to 500-700.  Hard to tell because 
the gauge lens is very crazed.  But it seems to be holding.  I'll know for sure 
in a couple days.

Granted, I did not get into the actual pump assembly and all the check valves, 
etc.  The cylinder walls, rods, etc. seemed to be in excellent condition so no 
polishing was necessary.

So far I'm in it for less than $50.

I want to replace the pressure gauge.  I can't find a generic one that is 
equivalent.  It needs to be a certain shape for the gauge cover to fit it.  It 
looks like a gauge off a fire extinguisher.  Oh. well.  A challenge for later.

--
Dennis C.
Touche' 35-1 #83
Mandeville, LA
Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and help 
me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
Thanks for your help.
Stu
Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and help 
me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
Thanks for your help.
Stu

Stus-List Re: Navtec hydraulic backstay - amateur rebuild

[David Risch via CnC-List]

Very cool write-up and project.  Thanks for sharing.

From: Dennis C. via CnC-List 
Sent: Sunday, January 7, 2024 3:44 PM
To: CnClist 
Cc: Dennis C. 
Subject: Stus-List Navtec hydraulic backstay - amateur rebuild

A fellow boater had a Navtec integral hydraulic backstay adjuster that blew the 
top seal.  As many of you know, this is probably the most common failure for 
these.  Exposure to UV and the elements deteriorates the rod wiper at the top 
of the cylinder and it's downhill from there.  (I recommend a 1/2 washer on top 
of the cylinder.)

This list has been down this road many times.  There's always a discussion 
whether to take the thing to a local hydraulic shop or let Lew Townsend in 
Seattle rebuild it.  For the record, I sent Touche's adjuster to Lew a couple 
years ago and am a satisfied Lew client.

So I called Lew and chatted with him about this "orphan" adjuster.  He asked 
some critical questions.  Was I going to keep it as a spare?  Was I going to 
try to auction it?  He commented that neither option was particularly 
economical.  H.  Then we talked about snow skiing.  We're both avid skiers.

After some thought, I tended to agree with Lew.  Including shipping, a rebuild 
would be north of $400-500.  An expensive gamble to have it sit on eBay for 
weeks like others I've seen.

So I decided to give the rebuild a shot myself.  The Navtec seal kit, IF you 
can find one, is about $200.  Philosophically, it's not much more than a manual 
hydraulic jack that compresses rather than lifts.  Internet research turned up 
a set of rebuild instructions.  See here:

https://www.plaisance-pratique.com/IMG/pdf/navtec_hydraulik_service_manual.pdf

Armed with instructions and a pair of calipers, off I went.  Disassembly of the 
cylinder was fairly straightforward.  I found several equivalent seals at 
mcmaster.com.  For those who are really interested, parts 
below are referenced on Page 8.

Part  Qty   Navtec Mcmaster  Price
31  2HJ-2-215   9452K36$12.08   (Needed 2.  Had to buy 100)
35  1HI-005   9505K39 $4.83
36  1HN-002 9403K55  $2.30

Jug of Fram Hydraulic Jack Oil AW32.  $10

Reassembly went well.  I strapped it between two trees in my backyard and 
pressured it up.  I noticed the thing was leaking from the pump piston.  Okay, 
I pulled the pump handle and piston.  The piston rod seal disintegrated when I 
removed it.  Turned out this is a generic U seal with o-ring 1/4x1/2x1/4.  
Internet search on the Navtec number turned up numerous suppliers.  I bought it 
from Crescent Hydraulics in south Florida.

Part  Qty   Navtec   CrescentPrice
39  112500250-250B   P125-00,250-250B   $4.05

It's now back between the trees pressured up to 500-700.  Hard to tell because 
the gauge lens is very crazed.  But it seems to be holding.  I'll know for sure 
in a couple days.

Granted, I did not get into the actual pump assembly and all the check valves, 
etc.  The cylinder walls, rods, etc. seemed to be in excellent condition so no 
polishing was necessary.

So far I'm in it for less than $50.

I want to replace the pressure gauge.  I can't find a generic one that is 
equivalent.  It needs to be a certain shape for the gauge cover to fit it.  It 
looks like a gauge off a fire extinguisher.  Oh. well.  A challenge for later.

--
Dennis C.
Touche' 35-1 #83
Mandeville, LA
Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and help 
me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
Thanks for your help.
Stu