Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Probably not necessary but you will be glad you got it. It's recommended for 150 HP and up. With a 200, it will be hard to turn under power without it.Building a 2020 23RSR SPS with a 200HP Yamaha. The Seastar Hydraulic Steering comes with the SPS. Is it necessary to add the Power-Assist Hydraulic Steering ?
Add it. I originally had just the hydraulic with my 24' S with sps and a yamaha 200. I have the electric assist now and it is night and day difference.
We have test driven a bunch of boats with outboards in the last couple months. All with at least hydraulic steering. Some were pretty easy to turn the wheel some were harder. Kind of hit or miss. We have found that the Uflex hydraulic steering was easier than the Seastar. Still searching......Even as a DIY project it's around $1200 for a Seastar kit with a tilting helm, a hydraulic cylinder, and enough hydraulic lines to get to the motor and back.
The power assist pump adds another $2k new, just by itself.
If I ever decide to install this, my plan was to add the hydraulic steering as a new kit, then hope to stumble across a used power assist pump someday like Carl did for cheap.
I stay away from Bennington's build a boat, so I haven't looked this up in a couple years, but I recall having this added at the factory is a reasonably priced upgrade compared to adding it later. But it can easily be added later.
Tomc, Thanks for the info, My biggest concern was , like you I have a 115HP on 21ft pontoon. Most feedback I’ve seen has been anything with 150Hp and up it would help. But on the 115 HP was kinda iffy. My thoughts now are leaning not to add it seeing we only have a 115HP. I believe most of the time we will be “cruising” on the lake anyway.I have hydrolic (not power assisted), and I don’t think there is much difference in ease of steering between that and cables. I also have 115 on 21’...It is easy enough to handle without the power assist.