EZ steer and power steering

[dymaraman]

I just bought a 22ft Campion Explorer with a 5.8L 351 Volvo duo Prop engine. I purchased the entire outfit and elected to add a Yamaha kicker(trolling) motor to the package, along with an EZ Steer setup. Everything looked fine except the dealer neglected to inform me that my boat had hydraulic steering and thus made using the EZ Steer nearly impossible due to the fact that without the big volvo still running, turning the two connected legs was impossible because the hydraulic steering pump needs "POWER" to work. My question is, can I still use this EZ Steer setup and turn the connected engines manually with my volvo main engine shut off, provided I'm strong enough to turn the wheel that is? AND/or, will doing this cause damage to my power steering which defeats the purpose in the end?
Thanks all

 

[Bondo]

Re: EZ steer and power steering

Ayuh,..... There'll be No Damage from Manhandling the wheel..... Lota Work though......
You might wear out the Helm prematurely,.......
But you'll have a Great Upper Body build........................d

Are you going with the Kicker for the Fuel,.??... Or the Speed,..??

 

[Boatist]

Re: EZ steer and power steering

I fine your question very interesting as 2 year in a row I ask both Merc and Vovo dealers if having power steering and using an EZ steer without the main motor running if the wheel would be hard to turn like in a car.

Both each year said it would be very easy to steer even with the motor shut off. I hate it when you can not get an honest answer. They assured me would be very easy to steer.

Many of the motor are not available without power steering.

 

[dymaraman]

Re: EZ steer and power steering

I have spoke extensively since my posting with many dealers and experts in the hydraulic steering field. They pretty much all say the same thing. Steering manually isn't an issue as far as doing damage to my power steering system, however, they did warn that engaging the power steering while using the kicker, could blow apart the EZ Steer depending on where the kicker and main volvo leg are positioned when starting the big engine. So I tried it yesterday and "Yep" on one occassion, I actually was trolling along fine on my kicker, with volvo main shut off. I got caught up in a bit of tidal water and started the big 5.8L just to gain back a bit of bow control, the force of engagement on starting was strong enough that it tore the EZ Steer bar in half. Luckily it can be put back together again and re-used, so something to consider using EZ Steer.
To answer an earlier question my reason for the EZ Steer and kicker setup is trolling speed. The 5.8L Volvo is far to fast to troll at idle speed. At 750 rpm(idle), the boat goes almost 9 mph. That dual prop setup really smokes at low rpm's.