Sealskipper
Active Member
Wondering if anyone's got experience of resolving a leak on a Navtec integrated backstay adjuster?
Its possibly over 20 yrs old, on Zingara, our Colvic Countess 37 sloop rig.
I don't know the history, bought her 18 months ago, but there is very faint seepage out of top seal area around piston rod at top, which has left a trail down the unit.
No scoring on the shaft, looks good, still functioning fine, although i think loses pressure after several days, but that doesn't seem unreasonable, a bit of creep, i'd think. Ive not even had to top up oil, but will try find out what type, process, and how to purge air.
Its only going to get worse, could get a few years more, but seals will have a finite life, especially the top 'dirt' seal exposed to sun.
I'm quite adept at careful dismantling and rebuilding mechanical devices, problem solving, but I gather these are quite complex, bit more than a 'trolley jack', and i am totally dependent on it, have no plan B, other than making up a wire strop section and rigging screw, standing by.
Another thing is, will likely be taking her overseas for a year or two, and might not find it so easy to get help of a local hydraulics specialist, or spare parts delivered.
I could splash out on a replacement, but that's lily to be over £1k, from a quick googling, and I've better priorities to invest finite budget to, like new liferaft.
So, anyone had success rebuilding one, or found a good specialist, economic repair?
Otherwise, thinking of altering to either a standard turnbuckle rigging screw, or possibly a wheel-adjust type, as although this is a heavy displacement cruiser, a slack forestay is never going to help matters, nor maybe is keeping everything drum tight when moored up for months.
Thanks in advance for any tips
Its possibly over 20 yrs old, on Zingara, our Colvic Countess 37 sloop rig.
I don't know the history, bought her 18 months ago, but there is very faint seepage out of top seal area around piston rod at top, which has left a trail down the unit.
No scoring on the shaft, looks good, still functioning fine, although i think loses pressure after several days, but that doesn't seem unreasonable, a bit of creep, i'd think. Ive not even had to top up oil, but will try find out what type, process, and how to purge air.
Its only going to get worse, could get a few years more, but seals will have a finite life, especially the top 'dirt' seal exposed to sun.
I'm quite adept at careful dismantling and rebuilding mechanical devices, problem solving, but I gather these are quite complex, bit more than a 'trolley jack', and i am totally dependent on it, have no plan B, other than making up a wire strop section and rigging screw, standing by.
Another thing is, will likely be taking her overseas for a year or two, and might not find it so easy to get help of a local hydraulics specialist, or spare parts delivered.
I could splash out on a replacement, but that's lily to be over £1k, from a quick googling, and I've better priorities to invest finite budget to, like new liferaft.
So, anyone had success rebuilding one, or found a good specialist, economic repair?
Otherwise, thinking of altering to either a standard turnbuckle rigging screw, or possibly a wheel-adjust type, as although this is a heavy displacement cruiser, a slack forestay is never going to help matters, nor maybe is keeping everything drum tight when moored up for months.
Thanks in advance for any tips
