Power Steering for Outboards

Outboards are increasingly available with power steering systems, using advanced high-speed brushless electric motors controlled by digital input from an electronic helm. Randy Vance

While many hydraulic-assist steering systems are available, engine-makers are pushing fly-by-wire steering. In fact, for many applications, we wouldn’t be surprised if digital steering replaced hydraulic steering altogether; it’s simpler to install than hydraulic assist systems, it can be more compact, and many boaters find that it offers more-precise control—especially while docking.

Who Needs Power Steering?

Power steering is advisable on boats with outboards of 300 hp or more. Boats in the 225 to 250 hp range are manageable without it but will require more effort from the helmsman, especially with cable steering and less so with straight hydraulic steering. Pontoon boats 150 to 250 hp seem to produce more feedback than smaller boats of the same power and can be a handful in turns. Both electric digital and electro-hydraulic assist give fingertip control, making driving more pleasant.

Navitech Power Steering System is a simple-to-install power-cable system that’s ideal for boats with smaller outboards, but with excessive steering torque. Courtesy Uflex USA Integrated Power Steering

Digital electronic steering is available on Mercury V-8 and V-10 motors and Suzuki’s new 300 and 350. Yamaha makes it standard on motors 350 hp and higher and optional on motors from 150 to 300. These systems are typically more expensive than separately installed steering options, and so boat manufacturers use add-on systems from companies such as Dometic or Uflex. Honda Marine is the only manufacturer that doesn’t offer proprietary digital steering options, instead seamlessly integrating Dometic’s Optimus EPS electro-hydraulic power-assist steering on the Honda 350.

Integrated systems are in the motor mount, replacing potentially leaky, power-hungry power-assisted electro-hydraulic steering systems. Digital steering draws practically no current until you turn the wheel. Electro-hydraulic power assist has a pump running at all times drawing on 12-volt power. With Mercury, Yamaha and other digital/electric steering systems, joystick and autopilot integration is seamless, allowing autopilot course correction by a tap of a heading button or jogging the joystick itself.

Dometic’s Optimus all-electric steering is popular with boatbuilders and owners refitting their vessels. Courtesy Dometic

Dometic Optimus E-Actuator is an all-electric steering option that replaces the hydraulic-steering and power-steering pump with an electrically driven roller screw commonly called a jack screw. It accepts input from an electronic helm and Optimus 360 joystick steering. Add Simrad’s SF05 autopilot integration module to bring joystick controls together with Simrad’s autopilot system, and you get what feels to us like a dead ringer for Mercury and Yamaha’s electronic autopilot/joystick systems.

Uflex MasterDrive is frequently chosen among OEMs. It senses pressure changes from helm input and backs up the force with an appropriate push, making steering effortless even on multiengine setups.

Read Next: Dometic Debuts Optimus Electric Power Steering for Inboard Watersports Boats

Multi-engine vessels benefit from power steering for easier operation. Increasingly, electric systems are optimum. Courtesy Wellcraft The Bucks Don’t Stop

The problem with power steering is the cost. Always the bucks, right? That’s the main reason engines from 150 to 225 hp frequently don’t have power steering. The smaller boats can’t easily absorb the cost among price-conscious buyers. That’s a shame too because there are two options to add power steering to mechanically steered boats. Uflex offers one system ideal for up to 200 hp, which is the Navitech power-steering system. The electric power-assist motor is compact, and a simple cable motor input means easy installation. It’s compact enough for an aftermarket upgrade. Dometic also offers an easy-to-install electric-steering system called Extreme Power Assist. Both are ideal for bass boats, pontoons and vessels running from 90 to 200 hp outboards. And both can be added aftermarket with common tools and average mechanical capabilities.

For more than 225 hp, we’d choose integrated digital electric steering whenever it’s offered. Otherwise, we’d go with add-on systems. For 150 to 225 hp motors, it’s a tough call financially, but if you don’t mind the upcharge, you won’t regret the decision to opt for the assist.

The post Power Steering for Outboards appeared first on Boating Mag.