Ok, a newbie question. SeaDoo claims to have off throttle steering, but without little jets going sideways or whatever, I have a hard time visualizing how it works. And naturally, Sea Doo reps say it is so great, but can't fully explain how it works. Furthermore, does it REALLY work? Just curious. Thanks

They have a flap at either side of the hull that activate when the motor is off or throttle not depressed and act, like a rudder.

Oh, that makes sense. Not sure that most people with any skill would absolutely need it, but good idea, especially for beginners - you know the ones, putting around at the dock working the handlebars back and forth like a punching bag, wondering why they aren't turning. Free entertainment is sometimes the best!

SeaDoo's off throttle steering makes no sense to me. I can see their design might be good in northern waters where its well over 1 foot deep. Those stupid little paddles that lower into the water will be torn off for sure here in Florida. I often riding in water that is barely above my ankle. But like other SeaDoo problems, they’ll learn from their mistakes.

Greg, Im not sure they lower into the water, I could be wrong, but my understanding of the system has the rudders opening on a hinge at the sides of the hull, at leAst that's how I understood it when I saw the display model October before last. Undubtedly someone will fingd a way to break them anyway.

they won't work putting around the dock...too small to have any effect..will only work when going fairly quick and then panic/release throttle/turn handlebar at last minute so you hit object at an angle..that's what it looks to me too, mario.

On SeaDoo's web page they use the word "automatically deploy." I remember seeing these when they released their 03 models in Sept. They rotate downward on a common shaft. A SeaDoo salesmen, my freind, and I were standing there joking about what a stupid design they were for around here. We were saying that because they lowerd into the water.

they probably got em ripped off in testing cuz the 4tec i saw had them on the sides behind the spons. They didn't stick down under the hull.

I have the SC and they dont stick under the hull at all. They are at full down position until you go over 40 or so, then the opas moves up for maximum speed. There is no way it can be broken unless you are an idiot and there seems to be no problems with them. Opas is never to be off, it links and works with the nozzle steering. The SC is fast and stable cruiser. I'd say best rough water cruiser.

So te flaps are actually active at speed too?

they are actuated by water pressure from the pump.

No water pressure=fins down

word is that they are very effective around the docks etc.

To me...it looks like another crutch for less skilled riders.

wow i must've not paid enough attention. Fins down ...all i saw was open/close against the side of the hull..i'll look closer next time so i know what the heck you guys are talking about.

We'll know shortly here in Florida, if they pivot into a position below the hull, we'll have a bunch of them running around with broken flippers. I wonder if that like being in a row boat with one oar.

these are 2 years old now (2002's had them too), they work fine ,unless you get sand or silt in them