Hydrive COMKIT6 vs SeaStar BayStar
Entry hydraulic steering for single outboards to 150 hp
Both kits target the same boat: a single outboard up to 150 hp moving off cable steering. The difference is in the fine print - BayStar carries a long published list of applications it's not recommended for, and its warranty is void above 150 hp total. COMKIT6 is the compact Hydrive bullhorn for the same class, from the same family as the bigger Commander and Admiral kits.
Side by side
Published manufacturer figures only. Where a maker doesn't publish a number, the table says so.
Max power
Hydrive COMKIT6
150 hp, single outboard
BayStar HK4200A-3
150 hp total, single outboard only - warranty void above
Twin engines
Hydrive COMKIT6
No (COMKIT1 covers twins to 400 hp)
BayStar HK4200A-3
Not offered - Dometic states twin engine applications are not available at this time
Cylinder mount
Hydrive COMKIT6
Compact bullhorn (512BH)
BayStar HK4200A-3
Compact front mount (HC4645H) on the tilt tube
Wheel turns lock-to-lock
Hydrive COMKIT6
Not published
BayStar HK4200A-3
5 (1.4 cu in helm)
In the box
Hydrive COMKIT6
501 helm, 512BH cylinder, 15 m tubing, 2 L ULTRA-15 fluid, fittings, bleeding kit
BayStar HK4200A-3
HH4314-3 helm, HC4645H cylinder, 2 x 20 ft tubing, fluid, filler kit
Published restrictions
Hydrive COMKIT6
Optimum band 40-120 hp for the lightest feel
BayStar HK4200A-3
Not recommended for bass boats, pontoon boats, high performance engines, boats capable of high speeds, engines using 4-3/4 in hub propellers, or power assist; not for wing-nut transom clamp engines
Mixing components
Hydrive COMKIT6
Same fluid and fittings family across the Hydrive range
BayStar HK4200A-3
Warranty void if combined with any other manufacturer's product
Warranty
Hydrive COMKIT6
2 years for leisure use (commercial terms confirmed at quote)
BayStar HK4200A-3
2 years, limited to 1 year for commercial, rental or income-producing use (Dometic warranty, Form 340124 Rev B)
Designed and supported from
Hydrive COMKIT6
Designed and manufactured in Adelaide, South Australia
BayStar HK4200A-3
Dometic Marine, head office Richmond BC, Canada - per-product build location not published
| Specification | Hydrive COMKIT6 | BayStar HK4200A-3 |
|---|---|---|
| Max power | 150 hp, single outboard | 150 hp total, single outboard only - warranty void above |
| Twin engines | No (COMKIT1 covers twins to 400 hp) | Not offered - Dometic states twin engine applications are not available at this time |
| Cylinder mount | Compact bullhorn (512BH) | Compact front mount (HC4645H) on the tilt tube |
| Wheel turns lock-to-lock | Not published | 5 (1.4 cu in helm) |
| In the box | 501 helm, 512BH cylinder, 15 m tubing, 2 L ULTRA-15 fluid, fittings, bleeding kit | HH4314-3 helm, HC4645H cylinder, 2 x 20 ft tubing, fluid, filler kit |
| Published restrictions | Optimum band 40-120 hp for the lightest feel | Not recommended for bass boats, pontoon boats, high performance engines, boats capable of high speeds, engines using 4-3/4 in hub propellers, or power assist; not for wing-nut transom clamp engines |
| Mixing components | Same fluid and fittings family across the Hydrive range | Warranty void if combined with any other manufacturer's product |
| Warranty | 2 years for leisure use (commercial terms confirmed at quote) | 2 years, limited to 1 year for commercial, rental or income-producing use (Dometic warranty, Form 340124 Rev B) |
| Designed and supported from | Designed and manufactured in Adelaide, South Australia | Dometic Marine, head office Richmond BC, Canada - per-product build location not published |
Whatever the manufacturer's warranty says, both brands also carry Australian Consumer Law guarantees that can't be excluded - and for goods under $100,000 those apply to business buyers too.
Where COMKIT6 wins
- One family, one fluid: outgrow COMKIT6 and the same Hydrive tubing practice, fluid and support carry into COMKIT1, the PRO kits and the Admiral range - twins included.
- No published list of boat types to avoid. Dometic's manual says BayStar is not recommended for bass boats, pontoons, high performance engines, high-speed boats or 4-3/4 in hub propellers, and advises stepping up to SeaStar - Hydrive publishes no equivalent list for COMKIT6.
- 15 m of tubing in the box against BayStar's 2 x 20 ft (12.2 m) - longer runs without buying extra tube.
- Made and supported in Adelaide - factory spares and advice on Australian time.
Credit where due
- A published 5 turns lock-to-lock figure and a published 3 in dash cut-out - a known quantity before you cut the dash.
- Gen 4 revisions claim reduced chatter and improved check-valve durability.
- Ubiquitous fitment tables - the manual assigns an exact cylinder per engine model and year.
Our verdict
If the boat is a light glass runabout with a mid-range single, both do the job. Where COMKIT6 pulls ahead is headroom: Dometic itself steers a long list of harder-working boats away from BayStar and up to SeaStar, while Hydrive publishes no such list and keeps a twin-capable upgrade path in the same family at the same 150 hp ceiling.
Questions we get asked
Why doesn't Dometic recommend BayStar for bass boats and pontoons?
Those are high steering load applications. Dometic's manual lists bass boats, pontoon boats, high performance engines, boats capable of high speeds and engines using 4-3/4 inch hub propellers as not recommended for BayStar, with an upgrade to the SeaStar range advised instead. Hydrive publishes no equivalent list for COMKIT6; if your boat is genuinely high-load we'll simply spec you into COMKIT1 or an Admiral kit.
Can I run twin outboards on either kit?
Not on these two - and Dometic states twin engine applications are not available for BayStar at this time. In the Hydrive range, COMKIT1 covers counter-rotating twins to 400 hp total and the Admiral OBKIT1 to 600 hp, so the step up stays in the same family.
More comparisons
- Hydrive COMKIT1 vs SeaStar HK6400
- Hydrive OBKIT1 vs SeaStar HK6400
- Hydrive OBKIT1-XT vs SeaStar PRO
- All Hydrive vs SeaStar comparisons
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