Hydraulic Steering Outboard Pros and Cons

[@joeric3509]

Excellent advise. Thank you.

[@minhly4058]

Thx I been following ur channel sure learn a lot

[@jbrannon509]

It's also helpful if you're routing the lines on a "custom" boat. I'm building an older 26" pontoon amd in changing it from a starboard drive to a stand up center console. Instead of routing the big thick cable through all of those turns in the build its much easier to run 2 smaller hydraulic hoses.

[@johnrodgers6559]

Thanks for the video. I am working with a 60 hp head to 40 hp output jet drive. The main issue I am finding is bend radius as I convert from right side remote steer to center console remote steer, and having 3 bends in the cable instead of 2. I need to replace the cable due to increased length, and also am limited to an 8" radius. I know this can be done, as I have seen it on other boats, but am considering going hydraulic to clean this up and simplify the routing. Thoughts?

[@boatinglessons]

I like the idea of switching to hydraulic in this application for sure!

[@dirkbryan9325]

I put grease in the seastar hydraulic steering fitting what damage did I do

[@mattdpainter531]

This may be a ridiculous question. I have a 14.5ft 1977 chaparral tri-hull. It currently has a 40hp outboard but I was given an 85hp that I’m almost ready to change out with the 40. I was looking at hydraulic steering but it’s about 3x the price (170$ v. 440$). Is it worth that difference? Would I even notice a difference at the scale I’m talking about?

[@bikelifechris69]

yes i have one on my 15 foot formula(haines 445) its the best thing ever once you use it you will want it on all your boats

[@outdoorsman8498]

So i dont need it on a 115 yamaha sho on a 20 ft express aluminum boat ?

[@Richibald1]

Hi Len what are your thoughts on a 225 hp outboard that uses a tiller arm. My thoughts are safety should you hit a log. Here in BC we have many many opportunities to really pivot that engine around fast enough to break a few ribs with that tiller as some logs are massive annnnd* unseen from surface. Safer to go hydraulic assist tiller steering or plain old tiller steer?

[@sethnewton2027]

I've been told hydraulic steering gets very stiff and unresponsive during the winter. Is that true and if so is there a solution?

[@travisjalbert1542]

Thinner fluid would be my guess. That or the people that say that have old dirty fluid which would get thicker in cold temp

[@brettolsson]

We bought our first boat last year, a new 20' bowrider with a 150HP motor and with hydraulic steering. Being new to boating, I was expecting something closer to power steering in a car, but our boat's steering feels closer to power steering in a car with the motor turned off. Pity they didn't have power steering as an option...

[@ripperace]

I’d say there’s something amiss with your system if it’s incredibly hard to steer. Generally, hydraulic steering is easier than cable steering.

[@ripperace]

Hydraulic SHOULDN’T be hard to steer at all. Quite the contrary. I’d get in touch with your dealer, cuz to me, that much effort required indicates a problem.

[@boatinglessons]

The other two comments are correct - it should be quite easy to steer

[@brettolsson]

Thanks! I'll take it into the shop and have them check it out.

[@alt9874]

Our boat was hard to turn BEFORE we adjusted the trim correctly. Play with the trim level as it can really affect the steering effort required. Apparently our prop was changed and it affects the steering a lot. Once we adjust the trim to the sweet spot then steering is a breeze.

[@JR-rc1cg]

Whats the word on the newer digital steering

[@boatinglessons]

Are you referring to power steering (electric power assist)?

[@JR-rc1cg]

@@boatinglessons yes, Yamaha calls it digital electric steering. there's bolt on and integrated. Its the future, but.. the verdict is not in yet, especially as it relates to salt water. Thank you for responding

[@boatinglessons]

@@JR-rc1cg yes, we have a few boats with the electro-hydraulic steering already installed. Corrosion is always a consideration for sure. They sure are clean from an installation standpoint!

[@victorfrankenstein1995]

Hi, is it still possible to stear the engine manually by hand when there is a hydraulic system mounted on the boat please? I wonder if it makes any harm to the hydraulic system. Thank you.

[@boatinglessons]

It will not hurt the system but is extremely hard to do

[@victorfrankenstein1995]

@@boatinglessons thank you 🙏

[@josecastella4791]

I have a question in my boat i only have one cylinder with 2 115 hp Yamaha right now i am changing for two 150 hp Suzuki do you recommend to stay with only one seastart cylinder or two thanks

[@boatinglessons]

Jose, I assume you are referring to steering cylinders? I think you will find it safer and easier to steer with two. It does increase the cost, but I think worth the extra.

[@fishin11]

Retired marine tech here. Never ever will I have hydro steering. To slow, like he says, lock to lock to many turns. 9 out of 10 people might prefer it, but just wait until you have to maneuver fast, like docking, or running across the lake at 60-70 mph. Of course that’s my opinion, I love my cable, tested hundreds and hundreds of boats in my career and there were quite a few close calls that I had to miss something in the water or when docking in stiff winds. I could not ‘feel’ the boat either when running in a really fast boat doing upwards of 80-90 mph. Again sorry but it’s just me.

[@boatinglessons]

We love different opinions, and you certainly have the experience to provide it. Thank you for contributing to the discussion!

[@ericneering6357]

Well, I thought you were gonna teach us everything we needed to know but oh boy another video right with problems because you don’t teach us everything you need to know your teachers what we need to know to purchase the steering wheel or the hydraulic system from you you didn’t answer any of my questions

[@matthewbutler7227]

You don’t need hydraulic over 115 ho I run a 200hp with rotary steering and it does just fine

[@boatinglessons]

Is it a single to dual cable?

[@davidcooper3583]

What is that on your chin 😂 shave my friend and I’ll be less distracted from what you’re saying 😊. Good videos as always 👍

[@boatinglessons]

My wife likes it ;)

[@mattwilliamson8459]

@@boatinglessons that's all that matters. It's just easier sometimes to give her what she wants