I got a 2005 Triton 1653SS with stick steering. I removed the standoffs that the controls were mounted in and moved them into the side panels to have more room to swivel around. I love the stick steering with the exception of having to underpower the boat simply because it has that type of steering. This isn't my first boat with stick steering and I'm very familar with operating them. I talked to the dealer where I bought the boat and the rating is reduced simply because of the stick steering. They have a model the same except for console steering that isn't crippled by having to be underpowered. IMHO I think they are in some ways safer than console or tiller steer. You can see a lot better from the front and you don't have to run to the bow to tie off with the chance of loosing your footing if you misjudge the coast to the tie-off object and bump into it especially in faster current or windy days. If you're not in the front and by yourself and you miss the tie-off you have to go back to the back and try again until you time it right. It also makes my day a lot easier because of my venous problems not having to run around the boat. Along with other stick steering fans out there I really like the fact that I can do anything that I need to do along with not having to get up and around a console or ahead from a tiller to tie off or other things. Texas has a 40 HP max. rating on all new boats equipped with stick steering. Florida will allow 60 HP and I heard that Missouri doesn't have any limitations. The only company that supplies all of the boating manufacturers is easyglide (easyglide.com). This is according to all the major manufacturers that I could contact (Triton, Alumacraft, Tracker, War Eagle, Lowe, SeaArk, and Xtremeindustries). They have a newer model that is supposed to handle up to a 70 HP outboard or 90 Jet. I have the other model (40 HP-65 Jet). I purchased the newer model because it is supposed to have better handeling and a shorter throw, but I returned it because it didn't. The 40 HP works okay but if my boat was rigged with a console it would be rated up to a 70 hp [2(length x width) - 90]. I am very aware of any liability that it could put me in and I would like to know what the actual laws (and not recomendations) are concerning stick steering and does anyone know if it's legal to overpower the boat hp rating (with stick steering) after it's paid off and can it then be insured?