Power assisted steering boats.

[Nosealegsyet]

I passed my RYA Power Boat Level 2 this weekend, the conditions were not great, our teacher said that the waves for 3 metres high, and I was a bit ill to say the least the first day, but a lot better the second day. I took the exam in a RIB, 200 hp engine, and to be honest, I didn't particularly enjoy it. I found it difficult to turn the steering, and being female , im not strong in my upper body, and all I kept thinking was 'this wasn't what I signed up for '. ………..It was like a workout, my arms were killing me, and being sick at the same time, I don't know how I managed it, I had to get up to 15 knots, and it felt like I was doing 100 miles an hour....I spoke to our tutor and asked him if boats came with power steering, and he said that this particular boat had hydraulics which was the same as power steering, my god!....And he said that most boats would be the same. I find it hard to believe that to be honest, there has to be an easier way to drive a boat.So my question is, do boats come with power steering.? Im looking for a day cruiser, nothing over 30 ft I don't think. I want to be able to turn the wheel with my finger like I do my car lol!...thanks everyone

 

[GrahamHR]

They certainly do have power steering. I'm surprised really a 200 HP powered RIB didn't have it. The power steering on outdrive boats if anything makes it too light in my experience ! A finger on the wheel will turn it.

 

[scottie]

First of all congratulations it sounds like you would have been working with 3mtr swells and probably doing things for Ist time under exam conditions is not easy.
Hydraulic steering and power assisted are not always exactly the same thing but on a large outboard may well be.
You might find finger tip steering on a fast boat a bit twitchy at times

 

[spannerman]

Virtually all outboards over 100 hp have hydraulic steering, which is not the same as power steering. You are providing the muscle, whereas a Mercury Verado or Evinrude G2 and several other makes have a high pressure pump which senses when you turn the wheel and power up giving you true power steering. Anything by Mercruiser or Volvo with a sterndrive as found on the type of cruiser you want will have power steering.

 

[DazzyWoo]

Congrats :encouragement:

Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise? Had you been out in glass conditions you wouldn't have the same insight! Next up - go out on a windy day

To answer your question - I'm currently boat-less, but I've had 28ft and 34ft boats and the steering similar to that of car with power steering. Having said that if trying to make progress in unfavourable conditions does require a surprising amount of concentration (for me at least).

It might be worth you trying to get a ride on some bigger / heavier boats - In my limited experience they tend to be more capable in unfavourable conditions. Unfortunately I don't have enough friends with big boats to give an authoritative view.

DW

 

[[2068]]

Our boat weighs 7900kg and the engines with outdrives produce 520hp.
In all conditions, you can twiddle the steering wheel with one finger.
Similarly, the throttles just need a gentle nudge.

On holiday last year I hired a RIB with a 200hp on the back: by the time we got back, my arms felt as if I had spent the afternoon in an arm wrestling tournament.

 

[Rocksteadee]

Congrats on your course, this is one I teach and is my favourite of all.
Presumably the 3m swell was not there for the close quarter work only the fast manoeuvring and maybe navigation.
Up to about 150 (maybe 200) the steering is generally hydraulic, as previously mentioned, not power assisted steering. At speed with light power assisted in a small light boat can make it very twitchy and dangerous. A heavy boat boat 35+ cruiser will not physically move that quick so light steering works.
I teach one hand steer, one hand gear. The ladies and kids do struggle with this for the manoeuvring in a confined space so I teach the correct way but as they will go home and do it their way, ie. use both hands, I teach that as well. Only use both hands when in N and move the hand such that neither passes the throttle if it is adjacent to the wheel, a derivation of the feed the wheel we do on a driving test but not at 10 to 2, more like 20 past to 10 past (assuming throttle is at 3 o’clock)

 

[tico]

One thing that i've noticed on our RIB (115hp) is that when the engine is fully trimmed in, the steering effort is much increased. If it's trimmed out just a little, the steering is much lighter.
Seems to be a common note on the RIBNet forum.

 

[Momac]

I think most people would not go out in anything like 3m waves.
My boat has very light power steering as did my previous boat. Both sterndrive but a shaft drive mbiat may also have power steering.

 

[Nosealegsyet]

First of all congratulations it sounds like you would have been working with 3mtr swells and probably doing things for Ist time under exam conditions is not easy.
Hydraulic steering and power assisted are not always exactly the same thing but on a large outboard may well be.
You might find finger tip steering on a fast boat a bit twitchy at times

Thanks Scottie

 

[Nosealegsyet]

I think most people would not go out in anything like 3m waves.
My boat has very light power steering as did my previous boat. Both sterndrive but a shaft drive mbiat may also have power steering.

Thanks Martyn, I feel happier now , im glad that what i epxerienced isnt the norm.....ONwards and upwards.

 

[Nosealegsyet]

One thing that i've noticed on our RIB (115hp) is that when the engine is fully trimmed in, the steering effort is much increased. If it's trimmed out just a little, the steering is much lighter.
Seems to be a common note on the RIBNet forum.

The trim up and down, i still havnt digested properly, but the instructor did mention it, and i though he said if you were going too fast there would be a risk of capsizing, if you trimmed up or down? Cant remember which one now.

 

[Nosealegsyet]

Congrats on your course, this is one I teach and is my favourite of all.
Presumably the 3m swell was not there for the close quarter work only the fast manoeuvring and maybe navigation.

Yes we did the other stuff in the marina.


Up to about 150 (maybe 200) the steering is generally hydraulic, as previously mentioned, not power assisted steering. At speed with light power assisted in a small light boat can make it very twitchy and dangerous. A heavy boat boat 35+ cruiser will not physically move that quick so light steering works.
I teach one hand steer, one hand gear. The ladies and kids do struggle with this for the manoeuvring in a confined space so I teach the correct way but as they will go home and do it their way, ie. use both hands, I teach that as well. Only use both hands when in N and move the hand such that neither passes the throttle if it is adjacent to the wheel, a derivation of the feed the wheel we do on a driving test but not at 10 to 2, more like 20 past to 10 past (assuming throttle is at 3 o’clock)

Would of been much easier to be allowed to use both hands, but he said there was a risk of me catching the throttle?

 

[Rocksteadee]

Would of been much easier to be allowed to use both hands, but he said there was a risk of me catching the throttle?

There is that risk but after the course you will use both hands so I like to include that to teach the safe way to do it

 

[mlines]

I am surprised he took you out in those conditions. It would be difficult to learn and concentrate whilst being ill and it becomes a survival exercise not a training one. I get sick if it is anything other than calm but as leisure boating is all about enjoyment and fun we simply stay onshore on those days,

Most small to mid-range boats with an outdrive (as opposed to an outboard engine) have power assisted steering. There is still a cable/control going all the way to the drive but there is a pump and actuator to provide assistance. In practice this makes the steering nice and light. In fact, if the steering feels heavy on a boat like this then it very often means the cable needs replacing as it is corroded internally.

When travelling at speed, the steering becomes heavier, not because of any magic "proportioning" system like cars have but because the water is holding the drive in whatever position you have the steering in plus the prop rotation has an effect. Therefore you will feel it as being heavier the faster you go and more difficult to steer in one direction due to the prop. but you really do not want to be throwing the steering around at great speeds anyway.

 

[tico]

Think i'd be a bit concerned about the instructor??
3m waves for a beginner
Not communicating about trim