Can someone give the who/what/when/where/why regarding hydraulic steering for a bass boat?
It's an option on some of the boats I'm looking at, not sure if I need it or not.

Thanks,

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Garland

From what little I have read about hydraulic steering I believe it is for larger hp engines that go over 50mph. I believe it helps you fight the pressure on your steering when you are going 70mph like some of the 250hp motors will go. I don't really know if it would make much difference on smaller motors and the price $500+ compared to $200-$300 for rack and pinion of rotary style steering makes it too high for me.

Mike

I could be wrong but I sure you will get the right answer here.

Yes, Hydraulic steering helps with the torque of the engine on larger engines. This stops the engine always trying to turn due to engine torque. Easier to drive.

Thanks for the info.
The boat I'm looking at is a 19'Express with a 150hp VMax. This one does NOT have the hydraulic steering, but could be added if needed. What do y'all think, is it necessary on say this boat/motor combination?

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Garland

Hydraulic steering wasn't around when they were putting 225hp on bass boats, it came after. So no it is nor necessary, and all i remember about driving a 200 hp without Hydraulic steering was to drive with both hands. You will feel pressure turning one way and it will be too easy to turn the other way. The torque tab on the engine will help compenstate for steering pressure.

If you trim your motor right, it will be the same both ways. Too far up and it will pull to the right(?) and too far down and it will pull to the left(?). I may have that backwards. The prop shaft has to be paralell to the water surface to be equal both ways. When you are trying to squeeze out all mph and rpm, then you can get to where you would not want to let go of the steering wheel, lots of torque.

My previous boats had cable steering and were running 150hp motors. I hated the way they always wanted to pull to the right, especially at high speed. But then again, even at low speed idle, if you let go of the wheel for a second, the boat would start turning to the right. Now, I don't recommend ever driving the boat without your hands on the wheel, but my point is that it can be tiring to hold that boat straight on long runs. Also, I always thought it was a bit dangerous too. If you hit some rough chop and your hand slips a little bit, that boat can take a hard right turn and throw you from the boat. It was more pronounced on my Skeeter Wrangler than on the 18 foot models. Even so, steering left at med to high speed will put some Popeye forearms on you with cable steering. My new boat (1997) came with hydraulic steering and it is awesome. No more fighting wheel torque. At idle, it will go straight. Even at high speed, it requires very little grip and no effort to keep in going straight. No more arm fatigue and feels safer in rough water..For only $200-$300 more, I would definitely go with hydraulic steering. Another benefit is that you won't have to worry about replacing those cables years from now when they start getting rusty and hard to turn...Just my opinion..

I have a 150 V-max on a 18' skeeter f/s with hydraulic steering and I would recommend it.

One more and I'll try and let this go-
If a boat doesn't have it from the factory, is it recommended to let a dealer install it?
As ususal, thanks for sharing your (probably learned the hard way) knowledge.

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Garland

I think it takes a different steering wheel, hoses instead of cables. I have never done it before so i would let a dealer install it. I wouldn't like to learn the hard way when it comes to steering a boat that goes 60+ mph in 3 boat wide boat lanes. I dunno, thats just me.

I would let the dealer put it on since it did not come with the boat(there might be some modfications to get it in your boat)I know on my boat just to pull the steering cable I had to take the motor off the boat.

Mike

Personally I will never be without hydrulic steering. Eliminates torque steer when properly installed. This type steering is beneficial to any engine(s) combination. I have a 175 Evinrude Ficht with factory installed hydraulic steering. Try it..You will buy it.