Outboard weight and assisted steering

I’ve been looking to get into a boat this year, and have a question regarding steering/feedback.

I was originally targeting a 16′ side console with a 70-90 hp on the back. I’ve owned a boat of these dimensions, so understand what I’d be getting into.

I’ve had a couple of boats (mid 90’s) that are larger pop up recently. 17′ boats with 115-120 hp outboards. I believe an engine in this class is around 350 lbs.

Without any modern assisted steering, how is the feedback on an engine of this size? Especially trolling a river, where you are moving back and forth quite a bit.

I am concerned, as I owned a Pro V with a 150 hp Vmax years ago. This boat did not have hydraulic steering, like the Crestliner I owned before it. The difference was very noticeable.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

Any thoughts?

It shouldn’t be an issue if it has no feedback steering.

If it was at all in your budget, I’d add the hydraulic steering. My buddy has a 115 with Popeye arms required for steering. My 150 with hydraulic is finger steering.

And you probably know the other advantage of hydraulic steering is staying on course if you aren’t holding the wheel.

Ive had a couple boats such as what you are describing. They would go 35-40 MPH and both ran 17-18 pitch screws. With the trim.tab adjusted correctly the feedback was manageable. These were 2 strokes so might be lighter than a 4 stroke. Both had 2 cable steering. That said, if you can afford hydraulic steering get it. Hope this helped.

Hydraulic steering is the way to go, but with a 115 it isn’t needed. The other guys talking about the steering fighting them and hard to turn were not a no feedback system. A no feedback won’t let the wheel slam to the left or to the right if you let go of the wheel. I think 150 is when most boat makers start installing hydraulic steering, but I have driven boats up to 200hp without hydraulic steering, but no feedback is a must have on a motor that big.

mojogunter wrote:

Hydraulic steering is the way to go, but with a 115 it isn’t needed. The other guys talking about the steering fighting them and hard to turn were not a no feedback system. A no feedback won’t let the wheel slam to the left or to the right if you let go of the wheel. I think 150 is when most boat makers start installing hydraulic steering, but I have driven boats up to 200hp without hydraulic steering, but no feedback is a must have on a motor that big.

Ok, that is the info I was looking for. I’ve heard that 4 cylinder 2 strokes are manageable; it is when you get to 6 cylinder models.

Now, next question – would a mid 90’s Princecraft/Alumacraft/Lund have complete not assisted steering, or was it anti-feedback in that era? My thinking is that anti-feedback wasn’t available then.

Example of a few boats: 92 1775 Pro v, 115 Yamaha 2 stroke, 1995 Princecraft Pro 178, 120 Evinrude. 1995 Alumacraft Competitor 170. 130 Yamaha 2 stroke.

Thanks!

One other question, can you order a windshield (bubble) for an older Pro V (early to mid 90s), and what is the approximate cost?

I had a 1999 pro-v that had no feedback steering. I don’t know when that came out. If you look on the plastic sleeve that is on the dash that the steering wheel mounts on top of it is stamped no feedback, or with the motor straight by hand try to push the motor from center to either side and you are able to get the steering wheel to turn pushing on the motor it is not no feedback. Keep in mind neither system is power assisted. One just won’t let the steering wheel be turned by the rotation of the prop. I doubt you would be able to buy side console for that old of a boat. When I bought my new pro v 2025 I had the dealer install a side console and I think it was $1800 in 2005

I own a 94 Pro-V 1775 with a 2010 Mercury Opti 150. I’ve got no issues with the cable steering on it, could be that its only a year old. I was going to put in the no feed back system when my cable broke last year (prior to the 150 motor) and the bracket wouldn’t fit under the console, so back to a cable I went.

I’m actually just referring to the windshield. One of the boats doesn’t have a windshield/bubble on it.

mojogunter wrote:

I had a 1999 pro-v that had no feedback steering. I don’t know when that came out. If you look on the plastic sleeve that is on the dash that the steering wheel mounts on top of it is stamped no feedback, or with the motor straight by hand try to push the motor from center to either side and you are able to get the steering wheel to turn pushing on the motor it is not no feedback. Keep in mind neither system is power assisted. One just won’t let the steering wheel be turned by the rotation of the prop. I doubt you would be able to buy side console for that old of a boat. When I bought my new pro v 2025 I had the dealer install a side console and I think it was $1800 in 2005