200 Verado Power Steering?

[Glasman]

I am going to be ordering a new 1850 Tyee with a 200 Verado. The options are either hyraulic steering or order the power steering option with the Verado. My questions are, what is the way to go? how much is the power steering option versus just hydraulic? Is there any problem running a kicker with the power steering?

Any help on this would be appreciated.

Thanks,

[mr ducks]

Can't give you cost but can tell you I would go with the Merc power steering option! It is wonderful!!

[maxxum]

Glasman do you troll? If you troll with the big motor tied to the kicker. I have been told the battery runs down with the power steering. Many are adding another battery to eliminate this problem.

[Glasman]

Glasman do you troll? If you troll with the big motor tied to the kicker. I have been told the battery runs down with the power steering. Many are adding another battery to eliminate this problem.

Yes, I do a lot of trolling. I read somewhere about this problem with the battery's but could not remember the specifics. I would hate to spring for the power steering on the Verado and not be able to use it with the kicker.

[bvs]

The pumps can draw 50+ amps while steering. Mercury requires that dealers install AGM batteries on boats with power steering because their big alternators can't keep up with the load while at wakeless rpms. I'm sure a kicker would have an even harder time.

Do a google search for the Verado club. You might have to pay to get an answer, but there are dedicated Verado mechanics on that forum who really know their stuff.

[T Mac]

Get the power steering. You'll love it
When buying from a good dealer, the boats come with the recommended batteries in them....and is figured into the price.
If you have a kicker and wish to power steer it with the Verado power steering, we always rigged them with a dedicated kicker battery.

Hopefully this thread explains a couple of things:
1)Why a Verado w/ power steering is more money.
2)Why you need to deal with a good rigging (Verado certified) dealer.
(....Most "ski boat dealers" are lost on these high end fishing rigs and have no experience on how to rig them correctly).

But... once you have had the power steering, it would be really hard to go back to hydraulic.
Think about your tow vehicle. Would you get one without power steering?

[TJEli]

There is a power steering isolator for the Verado that only powers up the steering pump when you are using the kicker. It helps keep battery draw down by not turning on the Verados electronics.

A good Verado certified dealer will know about it and how to install it.

-Eli