stick steer boat

[Lonnie84]

My first boat was King Fisher w/stick loved that boat.

[captdave]

Another kind of hijack my own thread question.....have seen some stick steer boats with a hydraulic stick steer versus the standard stick. Can anybody compare them?

[Smitty39365]

Have never operated one with hydraulic steering, have seen a couple videos of them. I think it would be better. I know standard takes a little muscle but the hydraulic looks smooth as butter. That’s one upgrade I would consider doing to mine but I’d have to drive one first.


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[Blackjeepjk]

Another kind of hijack my own thread question.....have seen some stick steer boats with a hydraulic stick steer versus the standard stick. Can anybody compare them?

Just about like manual vs power steering on cars. If you're moving it turns easier. The faster you move the easier it turns. Keep in mind it's not that hard to turn, hydraulic is nice but comes at a cost $.

I have a '94 grumman 16/49 ss. No wood, all aluminum. I spider rig, push jigs, pull jigs. and shoot docks. I've had it for a long time. will never sell it. May buy another one bigger but wont sell this un.

[warhawk]

I have a Tracker Panfish 16 with a 40 hp Merc 4 stroke, and a minn Kota I pilot trolling motor. I looked at stick steers from Xpress and Alweld (both made locally) G3 and War Eagle. I like the layout of the tracker best of all. I have storage under the seats, and most important a huge storage locker right in front of the driver. None of the other had this locker. I’m not crazy about the Chinese made Mercury motor, but so far so good. I have some kind of a leak in the plumbing for the Livewell. It doesn’t always leak, and never a whole lot but I still wish it didn’t leak at all. It’s only leaked enough to where the bilge pump could pump water one time, and we were on the water all day. Also, the Livewell sloshes water out, I rarely use it. Usually put a plug in it and a bag of ice if I plan to keep fish. I’d prefer no Livewell at all and just use a cooler for keeping fish.

If if I had it to do over I’d probably have a custom made boat, laid out the way I like it, with hydraulic steering and a Suzuki motor.

I have back troubles, and recently am having some nerve pain in my left arm and shoulder. This makes using the stick steering painful, but it’s still better than getting up and down to fish in an. Regular console boat. I don’t have much trouble with rough water. One, I stay home if it’s windy or stormy. And two, I fish mostly small lakes and am never too far from the boat ramp.

on the hydraulic steering question. With a stick steer you’re using the motors torque to turn left, and fighting it to turn right. So the effort to steer left is much less than the effort to steer right. This is without the hydraulic steering, never used it so I can’t say Hot it would work.

[agruss]

I had a new 40hp motor put on 17ft alumncraft. They did not adjust the trim tab and it was really hard to steer right. Adjusted the tab make all the difference i needed. Speed and where you have the motor trimed also makes a great difference. As stated hydraulic would be better but check the price.

[Cray]

There is a gentleman on here that posts once in awhile from Arkansas. He has the wareagle 754vs like mine. He did a post about installing hydraulic on his a year or so ago. I looked into it and a little rich for me, but may come a time when I have to. Here is a link to the setup.
Ezy Glide Hydra-Stik Hydraulic Stick Steering System HS-2470

[johndeere5045]

I have the Xtreme 18/60. Love it. I have hydrolic steering . I have no torque on the wheel. I can let it go and it goes staight as a arrow. Its a amazing package. 60 hp suzuki. Tops out about 32 with me by myself. They build them in Esto Florida. Great people to work with.

[Cane Pole]

Set the trim tape to help the torque. I have 15hp Merc on my jon. The Merc has a steering friction lever which I adjust. I have trim/tilt and can trim my motor at plane and let go of the stick and it stays put when on plane. easy steering for me and I aint no youngun. The Merc pushes me along about 24-25mph. I don't let go of the stick very often, I guarantee that.

[jay the baptist]

I had a 2007 or 2008 G3 16ft with 50hp Honda 4stroke. Good boat, Ran about 33 gps. 8 gal fuel tank I think. Bought it used but was like new. I liked it if I was by myself. I always could turn the stick loose and it stayed right there. The man that owned it before me moved the livewell over to one side. He took out the boxes from under the seats and installed pedstals. Pros: easy to tow, launch, by myself it was great. Easy to keep clean.
Cons: Always had to wear a PFD. Morning ride is cold, No wind protection. Limited storage for tackle & poles. My knees always hitting the side decks. Small well and not insulated well at all. Still had to get up to launch the trolling motor. Wished it had been mounted to the side of the bow. I've had 3 glass bass boats, 1 triton tin 170 mag2, 1 center console lowe. 1 vee 170 fisher. Glass is stable and smooth. Currently have a 2009 stratos 176xt. More storage than I need and hugh front deck. My favorite boat so far but one of the slowest with a 60hp 4stroke. The vee is my 2nd favorite. Wide and deep and stable walking around. Not fast even with a 90 merc opti. But you're not setting on the floor either. If I wanted tin again, I'd find a vee console with the lower decks. I'm 57 now and they are beginning to appeal to me more and more. Blessings!!