How important is hydraulic steering with a 115 motor/18 foot boat?
How important is hydraulic steering with a 115 motor/18 foot boat?
I don't think it's needed. I had a 2003 g3 I ended up repower it in 2017 with a 115 four stroke. never had hydraulic steering and had no issues. it steered greatOriginally Posted by Nat's Dad
Not really needed with a 115.... but like said somewhere above --- if you go over 115 to a 150. Get it for sure. It is a lot like power steering in a car. If you can get it with a 115, it is still very nice to have....but not really "needed"...
RT188
I LIKE boats...BUT I LOVE PLANES
Oh yeah.... I love the RT188 too.
Adjust the tab on the cavitation plate properly and it will steer like a dream with cable steering. Just a little angle will go a long way. I'm not even sure I'd have hydraulic with a 150hp unless the boat came with it standard. Just personal preference talking here but did have hydraulic on both of my glass rigs with a 200. The boats I've driven with cable steering on a 150 and 175 all steered fine when set up correctly.
2023 Xpress H18 with 115 SHO and Powertech NRS4 21p
8" Bob's Action Jack
Garmin Echomap 12, 10, 9, and LVS34 networked with Netgear Switch
Ultrex
Trick Steps and Ramp N Clamp
Pulled by a 2016 single cab HEMI Ram
Treat others like you want to be treated when on the water EVEN WHEN IN A TOURNAMENT! No fish is worth having a confrontation because you cut someone off or came in on top of someone.
I have two RT188's, one with hydraulic steering and one with cable steering. Its not an exact comparison as the one with cable steering has a 90 and the one with hydraulic has the 115 ProXS and there is about 4 mph between the two for top speed. Not much difference really, the hydraulic feels a bit "stiffer" and took some getting used to but I probably prefer it now by a slight margin.
2018 Ranger RT188 SC Black/115 hp Yamaha SHO 4-stroke; Garmin LVS34 - north
2018 Ranger RT188 DC Black/115 hp Merc Pro XS 4-stroke; Garmin LVS34 - south
14' Mirrorcraft tin boat (ancient) with a 9.9 Mercury 4-stroke, no electronics; catches fish anyway
Interesting. I once called Xpress to ask a few questions and got somebody sorta sounded high up told me whatever I do to get the hydraulic steering . Maybe it's because the 18 foot Xpress is a pad hull? I have no idea about any of this.
i really wish Xpress would bring back that camo jet tunnel hull bass boat they made in three lengths about 5 years ago. I bet they never sold any and that's why they dropped the whole line, but would have been perfect for my needs.
Last edited by Nat's Dad; 03-13-2023 at 09:43 PM.
Interested in changing the prop on my RT198 to a four blade. Which one did you use and are you satisfied with it??
I run a Bravo 1 FS 4-blade that is better than the Tempest Plus that came with the boat that Marks Props worked for me. Bravo is slightly slower in top speed but better everywhere else. Love it. If the Tempest did not break loose at breakover I would be running it.
John Walker - Matthews NC
2021 Ranger RT198P - Mercury 150 4S - Enertia Eco
VesselView Link - MotorGuide Tour Pro - Lowrance Carbons
When you get old and cranky and don't mind going less than 70 a Ranger tin will fit the bill. It will outlive me.
Naaaaa, I'm just pawn in game of life....
2018 Ranger RT198p
Charcoal Metallic
Etec 150HP G2 HO
24p Raker Stainless prop
82# MotorGuide Tour Pro TM
Fishes as good as anything out there, with the TM down...
Croxton Razor4 XLR preforms much better on mine than the 24 or 23 Tempest plus did.
2021 rt188p , Mercury 115 Pro XS CT , Croxton Razor 4XLR 22 , Z lock 4” jack plate , 8’ power pole blades
Thinking of changing my prop also, do you remember the part# or the pitch?? Did you buy it direct from the OEM?? Sorry for so many questions, these things are so expensive i don't want to make a mistake. Thank you!!
Reply With Quote