power steering 22c?
 

Sooo... This summer I picked up an 04 22 Classic 496HO MIrage + prop. Bravo 1 X drive. After about 10hours driving time and spending hours on this web site I finally figured out that I need to run about 25% tabs and the boat is a blast to drive. I'm not new to this game with a lifetime of boating experience, but when I first got the boat the handling characteristics were like I can't believe they sell these things. The boat was all over the place?? Now since I think I have it figured out I ran it to 70mph and the boat wanted to pull to the port and I couldnt pull it back with one hand on the wheel even with more port tab down? I have a buddy just down the lake that has an 09 22 Classic same motor, drive with power steering that came factory with the boat, Zeiger Marine was the manufacturer. I drove his boat and wow what a difference and I am assuming that the power steering is what made that difference? One other thing he is running a Rev 4 blade prop? or could that be it? He can take his hands off the wheel at 65 mph and no way would I do that. Any imput would be appreciated guys! Thanks

a decent 4 blade AND full hyd steering both.

If you want to experiment just borrow your buddies prop for an hour....

I have a 2005 22c with a 496 HO and I have NO pull even at wot. with the standard steering package that Donzi put in.

What prop are you running?

The 009 edition would have a 1" raised X dimension. You might want to look into a shorty drive. The handling of the boats with the higher X dimensions are better IMO.

External steering will help too. At least a single ram half system which would be the cheapest option

I run a Rev 4 also; best prop for me that I've tried and I tried a lot of them. I don't think you can get rid of all of the torque steer unless you go to a full hydraulic helm and external pistons. I have the standard cable helm an Merc power steering. No way would I let go of my wheel over 40mph.

Thanks guys, that helps alot...

How difficult is it installing the external power steering? It's nothing I would do myself but can the average marine mechanic do it or should I take it to a performance boat mechanic? Can anyone suggest one in Michigan?

I have a 04 model myself.
With the standard Bravo Lower unit the boat handled horribly.
Finally took it to performance Marine in Lake George NY. They told me the drive height in the later model year boats is too low, and I needed a -2" shorty lower unit..........They were right......The boat is a whole different animal with the shorty...Better In EVERY respect.
IMO, there's a reason they raised the drive height, sometime after the 04 model year. It seems like most of the guys that have great handling boats on the forum are either earlier 502's, 454's etc, or later 496's
Performance Marine measured a local 502 classic, and the drive was 1 5/8" higher than mine.
However, I still wouldn't be able to take my hands off the wheel at that speed.

I'm not sure how external rams help without going with a hydraulic helm?
Stronger yes, but this does nothing for the slop that is in the cable helm. If the gimbal and tiller system is all tight, it should be the same...IMHO

I've been thinking of installing the, "half system" but not sure there is a benefit to the handling of the boat...

I have a 99 with a -2 shorty and a full Zeiger hydraulic system, stock 454 28 Bravo.

Runs 74, no torque steer, really no bad habits.

Can run over 60 hands free in the right conditions.

Ken

Ken,
How much faster is your boat with the shorty vs standard length lower?
My boat tops out at about 73 on GPS with stock 502 and stock Bravo.
Thanks

Pat picked up about 3 MPH under ideal conditions...stock 454.

Ken

to add goodies or not?
 

Thanks for the info Ken.
Aside from the speed gain did the handling of your boat improve with the shorty?
Did your boat have any ill handling prior to adding the shorty and full hydraulic steering?

My boat handles well as is so adding external steering would be more of a safety thing.
Changing to a shorty would be for a performance increase.
Just not sure the $$ are worth it?

No ill handling before or after..it was strictly to get more top end.

Prop did change from a Spinelli 25 pitch to a Bravo 28...slightly slower coming out of the hole.

Thanks for the input. For me a speed increase is not the primary goal.
I would like to get rid of the torque steer at higher speeds; it's a bit risky with the stock cable steering I have.
Not sure if a single ram, "add on system" will be enough but I guess it's a good first step.

I've spoken with CP Performance and Imco directly.
If I don't have an unforeseen boat expense pop up in the next month or so before putting them to bed. I'll be installing a "add on" external hydraulic ram steering system to my Donzi this off season...

I'm with you on the steering upgrade, I will be looking into it this winter also. I does look to be a little pricey but my steering torque is terrible also, if you throttle up or back fast it could throw you out of the boat if you weren't ready for it. Are you thinking single or duel ram?

Single ram "add on" Imco. It's about $1750 complete. There are systems a little less expensive and you can find used, but I have K-panes and not much room so...
As I understand the "add on" system retains the internal merc tiller and power steering. The external piston hydraulic is plumbed in series with the internal power steering servo and piston. It's all about reducing the torque steer and adding strength for safety...
The slop in the cable helm will remain, but that part doesn't bother me much and there is always the option to upgrade to a hydraulic helm down the line...

IMO, hydraulic steering on a stock 496 boat is a waste of money. You already have hydraulic steering (of sorts). Your boat has cable steering to run a hydraulic ram. I don't see how removing the inside ram and replacing it with 1 or 2 outside rams is going to significantly change anything.
With the stock steering in my 2004 it was a 1 finger operation to steer the boat. It's much harder to steer now that I have full twin-ram hydraulic. I wish I could go back. I had handling issues, but torque steer was never one of them.

I had a 2006 Shelby 22 classic with a 496HO ran 77-78 without a problem and had the stock steering the boat came with. Drove and handled awesome and wouldn't have changed anything about the steering..

Joe

As I understand, an "add on" system taps off the existing Merc power steering. The external piston or pistons are driven in series with the internal piston; the internal piston and connection to the tiller is not removed from the equation.
My intent is to add the external piston as a safety measure on my 20year old stock cable and Merc system. I'm not expecting to notice much more than a little less torque at the wheel. I fully understand that the "add on" system does not get rid of the play at the cable helm.
As for a full hydraulic to the helm, I agree that on a stock powered boat, that 5K is probably not worth it on a boat that does not have handling issues...

WOW.... Do I feel stupid??? was talking to a friend of mine about my steering torque and he asked if I had checked the power steering fluid? No because it could'nt possibly be that! Bingo, reservoir was bone dry. I filled it up and turned the wheel several times added a bit more fluid then took it for a spin and no problem with steering. I needed to find out why it was empty and the hose clamp on the line going into the reservoir was loose and I think that was the culprit.
Too late to do any more testing this season so time will tell? I think I just saved myself several thousand bucks!