caribbeanmum
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Checking to see if anyone here knows if the assistive power steering makes a difference in handling/performance vs just the seastar system? Wanting better handling for tubing and skiing.
22' M Swingback Assistive Power Steering
- Thread starter caribbeanmum
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Vikingstaff
Moderator
Short answer: 100% yes, particularly for water sports and skiiing. Wouldn’t own one for that use without it myself. You can one hand, heck, 1-2 finger steer with the power assist. So when doing water sports and zigging/zagging, it makes a world of difference. That fads more into the background, and you can focus on having your head on a swivel and listening if you spoter calls anything out.
I will simply add though, having a tritoon and more powerful motor also makes a difference in the value/necessity of having the power assist. I think over the years, most have kinda advocated (I’m one of them) that if you have a 150HP or more, power assist is a huge upgrade and improvement due to prop spin and torque. If you add it, you just wont ever have to muscle your steering for anything, including water sports.
The one other hidden benefit is docking, or tight maneuvering operations. Having power assist allows you to MUCH MORE EASILY steer and control the boat in those situations.
Finally, I added a spinner wheel knob below to ours in about year 2 specifically for water sports. Combined with the power assist….just WOW! Really transforms easy maneuverability for under $20. Since then, I almost always use it when under way, even for slow cruising. It’s that nice. The one below I got because it looks very sharp and flows/matches with the nice steering wheel, while being…well…cheap.
Spinner Steering Wheel.
I will simply add though, having a tritoon and more powerful motor also makes a difference in the value/necessity of having the power assist. I think over the years, most have kinda advocated (I’m one of them) that if you have a 150HP or more, power assist is a huge upgrade and improvement due to prop spin and torque. If you add it, you just wont ever have to muscle your steering for anything, including water sports.
The one other hidden benefit is docking, or tight maneuvering operations. Having power assist allows you to MUCH MORE EASILY steer and control the boat in those situations.
Finally, I added a spinner wheel knob below to ours in about year 2 specifically for water sports. Combined with the power assist….just WOW! Really transforms easy maneuverability for under $20. Since then, I almost always use it when under way, even for slow cruising. It’s that nice. The one below I got because it looks very sharp and flows/matches with the nice steering wheel, while being…well…cheap.
Spinner Steering Wheel.
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I just installed one of these Hypersonic spinner knows last week. I love it!Short answer: 100% yes, particularly for water sports and skiiing. Wouldn’t own one for that use without it myself. You can one hand, heck, 1-2 finger steer with the power assist. So when doing water sports and zigging/zagging, it makes a world of difference. That fads more into the background, and you can focus on having your head on a swivel and listening if you spoter calls anything out.
I will simply add though, having a tritoon and more powerful motor also makes a difference in the value/necessity of having the power assist. I think over the years, most have kinda advocated (I’m one of them) that if you have a 150HP or more, power assist is a huge upgrade and improvement due to prop spin and torque. If you add it, you just wont ever have to muscle your steering for anything, including water sports.
The one other hidden benefit is docking, or tight maneuvering operations. Having power assist allows you to MUCH MORE EASILY steer and control the boat in those situations.
Finally, I added a spinner wheel knob below to ours in about year 2 specifically for water sports. Combined with the power assist….just WOW! Really transforms easy maneuverability for under $20. Since then, I almost always use it when under way, even for slow cruising. It’s that nice. The one below I got because it looks very sharp and flows/matches with the nice steering wheel, while being…well…cheap.
Spinner Steering Wheel.
I have another boat in FL that has one. Wouldn't want to not have one.
sunedog
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Just ordered that same knob based on your repeated recommendations. What position did you mount it on the steering wheel? I have to go back and forth several times and spin the wheel lock to lock to get into my docking space. Thinking of mounting it at about 10 o'clock so I can spin the wheel with my left hand as I work the throttle with my right. Thanks.Finally, I added a spinner wheel knob below to ours in about year 2 specifically for water sports. Combined with the power assist….just WOW! Really transforms easy maneuverability for under $20. Since then, I almost always use it when under way, even for slow cruising. It’s that nice. The one below I got because it looks very sharp and flows/matches with the nice steering wheel, while being…well…cheap.
Spinner Steering Wheel.
Vikingstaff
Moderator
10 o’clock is a nice spot if you like your hand/arm up higher. I had it up there for a couple season, and think I like there a little better for water sports with zig-zagging. However, these days I am down around 8 o’clock like Gary for the same reason - more relaxed arm, and I am not a very tall guy anyway. In the end, I would go one of them so you left arm can steer while the right arm can stay on the throttle as necessary.
DVW
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SeaStar is a trade name now owned by Dometic. They apply that trade name to various steering products including the expensive hydraulic power assist steering. Upgrades to marine steering include anti-feedback, electric assist and electro hydraulic assist. The biggest bang for the buck upgrade is a product they do not make. A spinner knob on the steering wheel.