Hydralic backstay failed...again!

[avazquez]

For the second time in five years my hydraulic backstay navtec adjuster seals have failed. I've had enough with it so I went back to the big mechanical barbarossa.

[delmarrey]

Humm? My Navtec back stay was on the boat for 25 years before I replaced the seals 6 years ago. Still going strong. Are you using their $15 a quart special oil?

Maybe it's a bit on the small size for your rig'n.

[donradcliffe]

The tropical sun is hard on the seals--I tied a ring of light line around the piston to shield them from the sun, but still only got about 10 years before they started to leak again.

[avazquez]

I don't see the advantage of the hydraulic on the backstay. I dont mind the exercise plus I had the original barbarossa on storage it was easy to replace. On the boom vang I love it! That one I will keep.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

The tropical sun is hard on the seals--I tied a ring of light line around the piston to shield them from the sun, but still only got about 10 years before they started to leak again.

Actually the only seal exposed to the elements is a wiper. I keep a little rag with silicone spray (like for dry suites) wrapped around the shaft as it enters the cyl. Serves a double purpose.

BTW, the system only needs to be loaded when out beating into the wind. While moored the pressure only needs to be at 1000 psi or less.

[bstreep]

As noted, keep the unit covered. This keeps dirt and sun off of the wiper, and once the wiper goes, "stuff" migrates to the seals. We put canvas boots on ours. BTW, any hydraulic shop can rebuild these.