{"id":17038,"date":"2025-09-18T10:02:25","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T10:02:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/?p=17038"},"modified":"2025-09-18T10:02:25","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T10:02:25","slug":"power-steering-for-outboards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/?p=17038","title":{"rendered":"Power Steering for Outboards"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>    Power Steering for Outboards<br \/>\n \t<BR><br \/>\n<BR><\/BR><br \/>\n    <!-- no image --><br \/>\n \t<BR><br \/>\n<BR><\/BR><\/p>\n<div>\n<section class=\"hydra-container\">\n<div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BTG925-SPL-Steering-1-1024x768.jpg?resize=800%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"hydra-image\" alt=\"Boat running from overhead\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BTG925-SPL-Steering-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BTG925-SPL-Steering-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BTG925-SPL-Steering-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BTG925-SPL-Steering-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BTG925-SPL-Steering-1.jpg 2000w\">                <\/div><figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">Outboards are increasingly available with power steering systems, using advanced high-speed brushless electric motors controlled by digital input from an electronic helm.<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Randy Vance<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/section>\n<p><iframe id=\"wxuzj5efbz\" src=\"https:\/\/boatingmag.dragonforms.com\/wxuzj5efbz\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"width:100%;height:165px;border:none;overflow:hidden;\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>While many hydraulic-assist steering systems are available, engine-makers are pushing fly-by-wire steering. In fact, for many applications, we wouldn\u2019t be surprised if digital steering replaced hydraulic steering altogether; it\u2019s simpler to install than hydraulic assist systems, it can be more compact, and many boaters find that it offers more-precise control\u2014especially while docking.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who Needs Power Steering?<\/h2>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<section class=\"hydra-container\">\n<div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BTG925-SPL-Steering-2-1024x768.jpg?resize=800%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"hydra-image\" alt=\"Navitech Power Steering System\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BTG925-SPL-Steering-2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BTG925-SPL-Steering-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BTG925-SPL-Steering-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BTG925-SPL-Steering-2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BTG925-SPL-Steering-2.jpg 2000w\">                <\/div><figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">Navitech Power Steering System is a simple-to-install power-cable system that\u2019s ideal for boats with smaller outboards, but with excessive steering torque.<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Courtesy Uflex USA<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/section>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Integrated Power Steering<\/h2>\n<p>Digital electronic steering is available on Mercury V-8 and V-10 motors and Suzuki\u2019s 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\u2019t offer proprietary digital steering options, instead seamlessly integrating Dometic\u2019s Optimus EPS electro-hydraulic power-assist steering on the Honda 350.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<section class=\"hydra-container\">\n<div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BTG925-SPL-Steering-3-1024x768.jpg?resize=800%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"hydra-image\" alt=\"Dometic Optimus steering\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BTG925-SPL-Steering-3-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BTG925-SPL-Steering-3-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BTG925-SPL-Steering-3-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BTG925-SPL-Steering-3-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BTG925-SPL-Steering-3.jpg 2000w\">                <\/div><figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">Dometic\u2019s Optimus all-electric steering is popular with boatbuilders and owners refitting their vessels. <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Courtesy Dometic<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/section>\n<p>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\u2019s SF05 autopilot integration module to bring joystick controls together with Simrad\u2019s autopilot system, and you get what feels to us like a dead ringer for Mercury and Yamaha\u2019s electronic autopilot\/joystick systems.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read Next:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/boatingmag.com\/boats\/dometic-debuts-optimus-electric-power-steering-for-inboard-watersports-boats\/\">Dometic Debuts Optimus Electric Power Steering for Inboard Watersports Boats<\/a><\/p>\n<section class=\"hydra-container\">\n<div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BTG925-SPL-Steering-4-1024x768.jpg?resize=800%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"hydra-image\" alt=\"Boat with multiple engines\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BTG925-SPL-Steering-4-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BTG925-SPL-Steering-4-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BTG925-SPL-Steering-4-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BTG925-SPL-Steering-4-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/boatingmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/BTG925-SPL-Steering-4.jpg 2000w\">                <\/div><figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">Multi-engine vessels benefit from power steering for easier operation. Increasingly, electric systems are optimum.<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Courtesy Wellcraft<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/section>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Bucks Don\u2019t Stop<\/h2>\n<p>The problem with power steering is the cost. Always the bucks, right? That\u2019s the main reason engines from 150 to 225 hp frequently don\u2019t have power steering. The smaller boats can\u2019t easily absorb the cost among price-conscious buyers. That\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>For more than 225 hp, we\u2019d choose integrated digital electric steering whenever it\u2019s offered. Otherwise, we\u2019d go with add-on systems. For 150 to 225 hp motors, it\u2019s a tough call financially, but if you don\u2019t mind the upcharge, you won\u2019t regret the decision to opt for the assist.<\/p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/boatingmag.com\/boats\/power-steering-for-outboards\/\">Power Steering for Outboards<\/a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/boatingmag.com\/\">Boating Mag<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> \t<BR><br \/>\n <BR><\/BR><br \/>\n    Randy Vance<br \/>\n \t<BR><br \/>\n<BR><\/BR><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/boatingmag.com\/boats\/power-steering-for-outboards\/\">Go to boatingmag<\/a><br \/>\n \t<BR><br \/>\n <BR><\/BR><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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\u2019t be surprised if digital steering replaced hydraulic steering [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[126,148,180,5959],"tags":[127],"class_list":["post-17038","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-boatingmag","category-boats","category-dometic","category-october-2025","tag-boatingmag"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17038"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=17038"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17038\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=17038"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=17038"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=17038"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}