stick steering - how big of a motor

[chrisguidry]

i have a boat with stick steering. boat is rated for a 50hp. can you put a motor that big w/ stick steering and can you convert wheel to stick. Thanks for the replys!

 

[Forktail]

Re: stick steering - how big of a motor

Welcome cajunboater. <br /><br />Stick steering is dangerous IMO. I used to have it on two river boats, one with a 50 HP Merc thunderbolt and another on a 70 HP Johnson. It was hell, and only designed for one hand.<br /><br />You'll need to remove the entire stick and cable to replace it with a steering wheel and cable. Well worth the small hassle.

 

[JB]

Re: stick steering - how big of a motor

I'm with Forktail.<br /><br />I woouldn't use more than a 25HP engine on a stick-steered boat.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: stick steering - how big of a motor

The riverjet boats up in my neck of the woods have a whole lot more juice than 50 horse, and some of them are stick steering. Unless you are traversing class III to class V rapids upstream, there is no need for stick steering. These setups are on jet drives, and the instant response is necessary to avoid boulders and other obstacles at slow speed. A stick steer on anything but a riverjet is useless and dangerous. Unless you need to avoid obstacles, lose the stick...Good luck.