Hydraulic steering has become the industry standard for today's high-performance outboard boats because it delivers smoother steering, greater reliability, and significantly improved driver control compared to traditional mechanical cable steering.
By eliminating steering cable friction and reducing propeller torque feedback, hydraulic steering provides effortless handling while improving safety at both cruising and top-end speeds.
The Buckshot Racing #77 350 HP Pro Hydraulic Steering Helm is engineered for single-engine applications up to 350 horsepower and is the foundation of our complete 350 HP and 700 HP Pro Hydraulic Steering Systems.
The helm is supplied ready to install and is fully compatible with most SeaStar® and UFlex® hydraulic steering systems, making it an excellent replacement or performance upgrade without replacing your entire steering system.
Four Helm Sizes for Every Driving Style
Choosing the proper helm displacement is one of the most important decisions when designing a hydraulic steering system.
Helm displacement, measured in cubic inches per revolution (cu. in./rev) or cc/rev, determines how much hydraulic fluid is displaced with each turn of the steering wheel. This directly affects steering speed, steering effort, and the number of turns required to move the engine from full port to full starboard.
Buckshot Racing #77 offers four helm options to match virtually every performance application.
Our 1.6 cu. in. (25cc) helm provides the lightest steering effort and is even easier to turn than the popular SeaStar 1.7 helm, making it ideal for recreational boats, fishing boats, bay boats, and customers who value effortless steering.
Our 1.8 cu. in. (30cc) helm offers an excellent balance between steering comfort and response for everyday performance boating.
For drivers demanding quicker handling, the 2.3 cu. in. (37cc) helm significantly reduces steering travel, making it an excellent choice for pad boats, bass boats, offshore V-bottoms, and performance catamarans.
At the top of the lineup, the 2.7 cu. in. (44cc) helm delivers the fastest steering ratio available, providing fewer turns lock-to-lock than the popular SeaStar 2.4 helm. It is the preferred choice for drag racing, APBA competition, offshore racing, tunnel boats, and high-speed Mercury Racing applications.
Understanding Turns Lock-to-Lock
The number of steering wheel turns required from full left to full right depends on both helm displacement and steering cylinder volume.
Smaller displacement helms move less hydraulic fluid with each revolution, requiring additional wheel turns but providing the lightest steering effort.
Larger displacement helms move more fluid, reducing steering travel while increasing steering response and steering feedback.
As a general guideline, the 1.6 cu. in. helm requires approximately 5.5 to 6.5 turns lock-to-lock, the 1.8 cu. in. helm requires 4.5 to 5.5 turns, the 2.3 cu. in. helm averages 3.5 to 4.5 turns, while the 2.7 cu. in. helm typically requires only 3.0 to 3.5 turns, depending on the steering cylinder used.
The result is simple: lower displacement produces lighter steering with more wheel rotation, while higher displacement provides quicker steering response with fewer turns.
Which Helm Is Right for Your Boat?
The ideal helm depends on how the boat is used. Recreational boaters, anglers, and cruisers often prefer lighter steering effort, making the 1.6 or 1.8 cu. in. helms excellent choices. Performance enthusiasts who regularly drive boats on the pad, make aggressive course corrections, or operate at speeds exceeding 80 MPH generally benefit from the quicker steering ratio offered by the 2.3 or 2.7 cu. in. helms.
High-performance hulls such as STV, Allison, QuarterShot, Mirage, Triad, HydroStream, Liberator, Bullet, Cougar, Skater, Motion, Eliminator, and similar race-inspired boats demand immediate steering response. The larger displacement helms reduce driver input while delivering the precise steering needed for top-speed stability and confident cornering.
Complete Steering Systems Available
The Buckshot Racing #77 Pro Hydraulic Steering Helm can be purchased individually or as part of a complete steering system. Complete 350 HP and 700 HP hydraulic steering kits are available with hydraulic cylinders, stainless braided hoses, bulkhead fittings, fittings, and all required hardware for installation.
We also offer custom hose lengths along with single-engine, twin-engine, triple-engine, and quad-engine hydraulic steering systems for recreational, offshore, and racing applications.
Buckshot Racing #77 Tech Tip
Helm displacement affects steering feel far more than many boaters realize. If your current hydraulic steering feels slow or requires excessive wheel movement, upgrading to a larger displacement helm is often the most effective improvement you can make.
Conversely, if effortless steering is your priority, a smaller displacement helm provides excellent control with minimal steering effort.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're replacing a worn helm, upgrading a SeaStar or UFlex steering system, or building a custom high-performance boat, the Buckshot Racing #77 350 HP Pro Hydraulic Steering Helm delivers the precision, reliability, and steering performance serious boaters demand.
With four (4) helm displacements available and complete hydraulic steering systems for applications ranging from recreational fishing boats to 700 HP offshore race boats, Buckshot Racing #77 offers the flexibility to tailor your steering system to your exact driving style and performance goals.
For personalized guidance, contact Buckshot Racing #77 at mike@buckshotracing77.com or call 714-697-1716 to discuss the optimal helm size for your specific boat and needs.