Hydraulic steering on new boat

[M R Dux]

I've been looking at every 20' Bay boat make out there. Most are rated for up to 150hp motors. I haven't found but maybe one that has hydraulic steering standard but most require it for 150hp motors. I plan on going with a 115hp motor due to the amount of trolling I do and the fact that I would rather trailer to an area than make long runs on KY Lake.

Since the hydraulic steering is a $750 to $1500 up-charge, do you think it is that important for a 115hp 4 stroke outboard? I can see it for the big, high-torque monster motors that are on most bass boats today. I would think a well maintained cable steer set-up would be fine. I've been running an add-on single cable steering system on my 75hp motor for 15 years.

Comments?

[chaunc]

Cable steer has worked fine for me too.

[Ketchn]

I would tend to think you wouldn't need it unless you plan on making fast turns and or lots of tricky boat placement

[huntinslabs]

I would think you would be fine with 115hp. Look at it this way, with all the lawsuit happy people and lawyers running around, I bet any and all boat builders have attorneys at their disposal and if they thought there was even a slim chance of a problem it would be a requirement like the 150hp. Heck them walleye guys are running 115 tillers without the titan system you should be fine with a wheel.

[kycreek]

I'm happy with the no feedback system cable steer on my 90HP.

[kyrich]

I have hyd on my 861 love it

[wilbur]

If you never had it you wont need it. Just more fittings and seals to leak. Save the 750.

[vic n]

My Ranger has steering with virtually no torque. Not sure of the name, but definitely not hydraulic and I have the 115 hp as well.

[crappielimits]

I 100% would would have hydraulic steer it's so much better. Would you drive your truck without power steering? If so you would be fine.

[Cray]

On your rig as little wide open throttle time that you will have no feed back dual cable steering will do you just fine. Hydraulic is nice on bigger motors where you spend a good bit of time wide open where most of the torque comes from. Dual cable also will let you troll with big motor without it wandering just like hydraulic. Like Wilbur said, save that 750.00 you may need it latter.