[TreyC]

So I am debating on getting hydraulic steering on my new 16ft Skimmer Skiff with 50hp Tohatsu. It will cost an additional 745$ with tilt steering. Not sure if it is worth it. I really like the idea of the tilt steering helm. What is everyone's opinion?

Thanks
Chris

For sure go with the power steering

 

[TreyC]

And the smaller steering wheel

 

[Snookicide]

Do they still sell boats without hydraulic steering? Definitely worth the minimal price difference.

 

[State fish rob]

Seems like might small engine to require hydraulic steering. It also comes w / a tiller , correct? preference is something different altogether. Been running 150 on shrimp boat w/ o for 35 years Came w on bay boat. Negative w/ f50 on flats boat

 

[Smackdaddy53]

Seems like might small engine to require hydraulic steering. It also comes w / a tiller , correct? preference is something different altogether. Been running 150 on shrimp boat w/ o for 35 years Came w on bay boat. Negative w/ f50 on flats boat

See post #3, when running a motor higher than normal on a jackplate with a cupped prop the prop steer is magnified even with a smaller outboard.

 

[State fish rob]

^^^will do

 

[Lowtidelowlife]

I’m almost completely done with my 78 mako restoration and the one thing I’m more excited about than anything is using hydraulic steering. Although it is a 115.

 

[No Bait / Lures Only]

I am converting from my f70la Yamaha 4 stroke back to a yamaha 90++ 2 stroke on my 18x60 flat. Have bad torque steer cause of high mounted engine n cupped prop. New 2 stroke will have a permanent torque tab attached, hopefully it will counteract d pull. If its still pulling will have to source hydraulic steering.

Any suggestions for a basic model n install?

 

[coconutgroves]

I added it to my center V and cannot believe I ever lived without it. You can install yourself up to when you need to bleed the oil and turn the wheel to get the air out of the system. Easy to install if you have easy access to the steering column and a steering wheel that isn't seized up from corrosion. That right there can ruin a weekend. Always grease the shaft and nut!

 

[coconutgroves]

I’m almost completely done with my 78 mako restoration and the one thing I’m more excited about than anything is using hydraulic steering. Although it is a 115.

I added hydraulic to my Yammie 115 on my center V. Love it. I didn't realize how much muscle I was using to keep that sucker straight before hydraulic steering!

 

[Smackdaddy53]

I am converting from my f70la Yamaha 4 stroke back to a yamaha 90++ 2 stroke on my 18x60 flat. Have bad torque steer cause of high mounted engine n cupped prop. New 2 stroke will have a permanent torque tab attached, hopefully it will counteract d pull. If its still pulling will have to source hydraulic steering.

If you quit fooling around and get a Tran compression plate like I recommended months ago it would kill the torque steer. I had one on my other aluminum hull with a Merc 90 2 stroke and it took two hands before the plate and one finger to steer after. The little anode fin doesn’t do squat for a jacked up motor, I cut mine off.

 

[Steve_Mevers]

Hydraulic steering so much safer than cable steering. You never want to think about falling overboard without the kill switch lanyard attached while running across a bay, but if it happens with hydraulic steering the boat will just keep on heading in the same direction away from you, with cable it will go into a turn and possibly start go in circles around you, also known as the circle of death.

 

[Smackdaddy53]

Hydraulic steering so much safer than cable steering. You never want to think about falling overboard without the kill switch lanyard attached while running across a bay, but if it happens with hydraulic steering the boat will just keep on heading in the same direction away from you, with cable it will go into a turn and possibly start go in circles around you, also known as the circle of death.

My buddies father was running his bass boat solo, hit a stump, got thrown out and the boat circled around and killed him right after we had graduated high school. No kill switch,

 

[bryson]

I know 2 people that have switched from cable to hydraulic steering (60hp and 70hp on Key West 1520 side consoles). Both of them say it's some of the best money they've spent on their boats.

Never used the tilt option, but I can't imagine it's worth the extra money. I feel like I would use it to adjust it where I wanted, and probably never touch it again. That being said, I've never used one so that's just a guess.

 

[Steve_Mevers]

My buddies father was running his bass boat solo, hit a stump, got thrown out and the boat circled around and killed him right after we had graduated high school. No kill switch,

Unfortunately I investigated a lot of accidents just like the one you described, the lucky ones only lost a leg, or arm, but many were fatal.

 

[Lowtidelowlife]

Unfortunately I investigated a lot of accidents just like the one you described, the lucky ones only lost a leg, or arm, but many were fatal.

Someone on here had this happen to him. His handle was GTSR or something like that. Has a sabalo skiff. Happened in his Carolina skiff and his jacket luckily got bound in the prop and saved his life. Crab trap buoy at night somehow ended up tossing him from the skiff.

 

[CPurvis]

I know 2 people that have switched from cable to hydraulic steering (60hp and 70hp on Key West 1520 side consoles). Both of them say it's some of the best money they've spent on their boats.

Never used the tilt option, but I can't imagine it's worth the extra money. I feel like I would use it to adjust it where I wanted, and probably never touch it again. That being said, I've never used one so that's just a guess.

I figured the tilt would be beneficial when going from sitting to standing.

 

[bryson]

I figured the tilt would be beneficial when going from sitting to standing.

I don't mind the "bus driver" wheel when sitting, and it works well for standing too. A knob makes things so much easier as well.

Take it with a grain of salt though, since I've never actually tried a tilt wheel.

 

[No Bait / Lures Only]

If you quit fooling around and get a Tran compression plate like I recommended months ago it would kill the torque steer. I had one on my other aluminum hull with a Merc 90 2 stroke and it took two hands before the plate and one finger to steer after. The little anode fin doesn’t do squat for a jacked up motor, I cut mine off.

Not familiar with compression plates. Will the plate hurt top speed? I know will help hole shot. Have to drill holes to install?

 

[Smackdaddy53]

Not familiar with compression plates. Will the plate hurt top speed? No
I know will help hole shot.
Have to drill holes to install? If you want what I consider the best (Tran) yes you will. Won’t hurt anything.

Answers are in above quote.

http://www.transportboats.com/

http://texasoutdoorsportsman.com/cavplate.htm