Steering torque revisited

[gehol]

XRS, 300R, 5 blade Power Tec, 28 pitch, 1 inch above pad, sportmaster 1.75:1 gears. Currently the hole shot is OK, 5000RPM gets 70-71 calculating out to 8% slip.
The steering torque is really pretty bad. Several questions:
How does the number of blades affect steering torque?
Shape of blade, the Power Tec uses essentially a Bravo shaped blade.
Motor height.
Was wondering about a Bravo in a 30 pitch??
Are others dealing with this on the 300R with sporty?

I have reached out to Mark today and waiting on a reply.

Any advice, opinions welcome.

[av]

Lower the motor , lose a little on top but steering tourqe is less , just a thought.

[rocketmanjp]

PM sent

[gehol]

PM sent

Replied

[jaxbass]

I have an SDC, 300R, 1.75, 30 bravo, hydraulic “14 bobs....does have some steering torque but not too bad, 86mph in limiter. Steve Bishop drove my boat last week and got 88 out of it, he suggested a 32 bravo when running light, not tourney load.

[gehol]

Lower the motor , loose a little on top but steering tourqe is less , just a thought.

I may drop it a half inch and see if I can feel a difference.

[jr 22]

Do you have hydraulic jack plate?
The steering torque you are experiencing, is this at 70 or is this at 80+?

[gehol]

Starts being objectionable at 60 or so. Working with the trim does help a little. I came out of a 20XD with 250XS. 1-3/8 above pad, 28 Bravo. The XRS is new to me and drives different. So, I am still learning the boat. The torque makes it hard to keep the boat balanced on pad at 65+.
I have asked this question a couple times and will repeat it here. All things equal, will a 5 blade have more torque than a 4?.

[donniec]

I went from 2016 XRS 250 w/torque master with 28 - 4 blade Bravo to 2021 XRS 300R w/sporty 31- 5 blade High 5 Mercury and I am looking at putting the Sea star power steering pump on mine cause it is so much torque on the wheel.

[crank68]

I deal with one 21 XRD with a 300R ..... steering is tough at whatever speed. 4 blade or 5.....

[badmerc]

one thing to check is your jackplate. Measure the extension part that moves on each side. I have found them out a 1/4". It will make a difference

[gehol]

one thing to check is your jackplate. Measure the extension part that moves on each side. I have found them out a 1/4". It will make a difference

If you mean make sure the motor is perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the boat, yes that is good.

[jr 22]

Starts being objectionable at 60 or so. Working with the trim does help a little. I came out of a 20XD with 250XS. 1-3/8 above pad, 28 Bravo. The XRS is new to me and drives different. So, I am still learning the boat. The torque makes it hard to keep the boat balanced on pad at 65+.
I have asked this question a couple times and will repeat it here. All things equal, will a 5 blade have more torque than a 4?.

For me yes 5 blade has more steering torque than 4 blade. I need to pay more attention next time on water since I have a hydraulic plate. My XRS/300r seems to only have steering torque when I get engine height over 1 inch above pad. Unless I want to run over 80, I usually run about even to .5 above pad, seems more efficient rpm to mph in the 50 to 70 range. I'll pay more attention next time out. I know when I want to air it out and run +85 at 1.5 to 2 inches above pad with near max trim - steering torque is huge. When you get 1.75 to 2.0 above pad you must trim engine near max to get nose to lift. At 1 to 1.5 my boat doesn't need a lot of trim with max5st 5 blade, but does with stock bravo hence more steering torque with 4 blade bravo under that condition at 1 to 1.5 P to P height. Yes an XRS with 300R is not as simple as 20XD and a 2.5 motor.

[sowenssw]

I have a 20xdc with a flashed 250R, running a 32 pitch Max 5 and the steering torque is insane under hard acceleration, and has some steering torque just about anytime. I talked to my dealer and he suggested a Power Assist pump for my hydraulic steering. Looks pretty simple to install, simply plumbs right in with the existing hydraulic steering hoses. Only problem is looks like they cost ~$1,500...

[gehol]

Guys, I may have found something that greatly improves this situation. If interested text or call me at 256.762.0360

[nightbasser]

SeaStar Solutions

[crank68]

Tried to text the number above…no luck. Please call or text me. 919 631 2019 thanks.

[gehol]

Tried to text the number above…no luck. Please call or text me. 919 631 2019 thanks.

Just sent you a text.

[C.Warrix]

I too had a tremendous amount of steering torque on my 21xdc 300r sporty. Used the space where the oil tank was to place a Sea Star Power Assist Pump #1315-2. No more Steering torque!

[av]

I too had a tremendous amount of steering torque on my 21xdc 300r sporty. Used the space where the oil tank was to place a Sea Star Power Assist Pump #1315-2. No more Steering torque!

Did you have to buy two hoses separately?