First, thanks to the list for all the helpful advice, on and off list. OK, decision made. Lots learned. Lots of thought given.
First, a hydraulic backstay adjuster is just a hydraulic ram. Any good hydraulic shop should be able to fix the leak. I took the adjuster to a local shop and they said they could "probably" fix the leak. They wanted $125 minimum. I didn't get a warm, fuzzy feeling that "Bubba" understood the exposure to saltwater, the importance of stainless parts, etc. So I gave it a bit more thought. My adjuster is 18 years old. It has been exposed to the elements for those 18 years. My research suggests that the root cause is probably deterioration of the top seal. It is exposed to UV. Once the top seal fails, grit may enter the unit and then cause damage to the piston seals resulting in leakage and failure. Further, if not fixed properly, the grit may score the cylinder, rendering the unit unfixable. So, we may be dealing with more than just a "leak". Given that, I decided to opt for a full rebuild rather than let Bubba fix only the leak. After talking with Lew Townsend and a few other Navtec agents, the pricing seems to be in the $350-400 range. The seal kit is about $100 online. Right now, it's on it's way to Stix-N-Rig'n in Kemah, TX. They have good online reviews and seemed knowledgeable and competent. Hopefully, I'll get a good fix and a quick turnaround. I'll let the list know how it goes. As a final note, I need to figure a way to protect the top seal from UV exposure. I might find a proper size plastic washer or plastic or PVC cap and slip it down the rod so it sits on top of the cylinder and shades the seal. Dennis C. Touche' 35-1 #83 Mandeville, LA
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