Tiller guys who switched

[Winnie T]

I'm looking for devout tiller guys who made the switch over to console boats. How many of you are glad you made the switch, and why. What makes you glad you made the change? How many of you guys that switched to a console are unhappy you did so and why? Did anybody go back to a tiller?

I may be in the market for a new rig, and I'm trying to make some informed decisions. Thanks for all your help.
Winnie T NPAA #105

[FISH 24 7]

I went from a Tracker Magna 17 Tiller to a Lund 1800 Pro-V to my most recent Ranger 620DVS purchase. While I can certainly appreciate the merits of the tiller with respect to boat control, etc., I found that most tillers weren't heavy enough to allow me to do anything but backtroll in any wind whatsoever. Even with a drift sock employed, I wasn't able to maintain a consistent forward pass and thus was relegated to backtrolling and getting wet (even with wackers) in my previous two tillers.

The control in pressing weather conditions, coupled with the ability to stay dry in those traveling conditions made me go the route I did. To each his own, but I'm very happy with the decision to go the route of the console.

If I had to fish out of one boat for most small waters and rivers though, I'd still opt for the tiller.

Hope this helps!

Mark Gilbertson
NPAA #556

[john mannerino]

Mark hit the nail on the head.I fish tourneys and in the cold the wind shield cant be beat.Summer keeps the bugs off your glasses, the wife loves the dry safer feeling ride.I like the feeling of putting up the canvis when it rains.But i sure missed my tiller for fishing,had to make adjustments here and there but I dont think I would go back.John

[curt quesnell]

no better boat for fishing than a tiller...no worse boat
for traveling 20 miles on the water than a tiller boat.
4 years ago i sold my smoker craft pro tiller (a great boat)
because i was sick and tired of being wet all the time.

i bought a 24 footer with full canvas top..and that was
extreme the other way...great for trolling in open water
not so good on the drift and forget the "spot on the spot"
...

now i have an 1890 pro v.....and so far i love it...it seems
like a boat i use for every type of fishing...jusdt got it
in august so ive got some work to do figuring stuff out.

curt quesnell

[smally]

went from glass wheel boat to tin tiller. will never change again. the only true fishing boat is a tiller.

[Bear]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-07-01 AT 08:47AM (CST)[p]Well for me I was always a tiller guy started out small and proceeded through the Lund Pro-V's bumping up in size with the last Pro-V being a 1775 with a 75. I abnsolutely loved that boat. It allowed me to be at the peak of catching fish. I fish mainly the Mississippi where I back troll almost all of the time. Due to the fact that I was going to be fishing a larger tournament circuit with big water I opted to buy a console which was a 1900 ProV with a 200. I now own a Ranger 619with a 200. For long distances and forward trolling there was nothing better than the console. If I had to get precise in my presentation I couldn't do it. Backtrolling was impossible due to the fact that the kicker is mounted on one side and makes it impossible to turn the other way. Needless to say my fish catching abilities have suffered! The biggest decision is where and how do you fish. I love the speed and the nice windshields on those cold winter days. Would I go back to a tiller, if my girfriend wouldn't have such a bird about it I probably would and still might. She likes the console for the speed and also likes to waterski and use it for a family boat. I know if I had the money and had two boats one a tiller and one a console my favorite would be the tiller.

Good Luck,
Troy Patterson

[TBO/MN]

You can have my tiller when you pry my cold, grey, dead fingers from it. I have had a side/wheel boat and I wouldn't have another one. There is one and only one reason for me to be in the Lund...."FISHING". Yup, I get wet, Yup, I back troll, but "REALLY" isn't that what walleye fishin' is all about?? It is for me.

Disclaimer:
This is my opinion, and in no way reflects the views of walleye cnetral or it's sponsors.

Good Fishin'
TBO/MN

[Hans]

I finally decided I need two boats, a tiller model and a side-helm model.

Truth be told, the tiller is my favorite platform for routine fishing, but the side console is mandatory for foul weather fishing or for large lakes with a lot of choppy water to cross.

Hmmmmmm -- maybe Bombardier can figure out a combo motor with selectable tiller or helm steering? I hereby claim royalties on the idea.

Hans
(hic!) :7

--
Anything worth doing, is worth doing for money.

[BAJ]

You'll never regret the switch!!

The KEY is a powerful transom electric motor. These big electrics give you the best of both worlds. Now you can sit behind the wind sheild on a long run and not worry about the next wave getting you. (Tell me that isn't a nice on a cold wet morning) And when you get to your spot, just drop your electric and ta-da! you now have a tiller boat. You can fish your spot-on-da-spot just as good as any tiller boat. (because that's what your boat is when the transom electric is down).

I use a 24 volt Minnkota 74T. This year I'm thinking of going to a 24v Vantage. Make sure that you have two large bank batteries and a set of power-pro's and you can fish all day long in 20-25 mph. WITHOUT having to smell all that stinky oil that's blowing into your face as your back trolling into the wind. AND without that KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK of your 2-cylce trying to idle. The 4 cycle is quieter and without the fumes. But it still doesn't have the infinate speed that an electric has. It's a pain having to kick the gas motor in and out of gear because it's SLOW, just isn't SLOW enough.

Just remember not all wheel boats are fishing boats. Ranger, Yarcraft, and Lund all make some great models. Just make sure that you purchase a boat that has the ablitiy to hang a big transom electric off the back AND has a place for you to fish (sit) next to the electric.

Have FUN
BAJ

[jon]

BAJ, Liked what you had to say, seems you have a good experience using a powerful transom trolling motor, what kind of boat fo you fish out of?

[GullGuide]

BAJ hit it right on the head.
I can stay on a spot better using my bow mount, and i do not have to wory about wind or waves even in the toughest conditions. I do have a transom mount and splash gaurds as well, but even with splash gaurds you can get soaked.
GullGuide
>"////=<

[GullGuide]

P.S...
Dont forget Crestliners!!1...:)
>"////=<

[Homer]

Everyone's pretty much nailed down the pros and cons. I bought a 14' aluminum that allows me the ability to have pinpoint control on small lakes and rivers, and use my 1775 Pro-V on bigger waters. I shopped around for good used equipment, and got the 14' for less than the cost of the electronics on the bigger boat. Licensing and trailer upkeep has doubled, however.

[BAJ]

I'm a fishing guide and I'm on the water 120-130 days a year. 80% of the fishing I do is spot fishing "rigging and jigging" for walleyes My views tend to be "little" bias because of this.

I've used Rangers and Lunds more than any other boat. The 690vs, 619vs, and the 620vs are good boats. But their cost is a little higher and if you're guiding, there's not as much room when there's four people in the boat. The lund 1900 LE is a good boat for guiding, much more room, but it's just a little wetter, and the worst part... docks eat the boat's flat side with all it's tape decals alive!!! The glass boats with that extended rub rail just seem to look better after a year of hard fishing. Yarcraft has a good tournie setback wheel boat. But there wouldn't be enough room in it to guide.

I don't care for boats that you have to fish out of the front of. It might be ok if there was just you and a buddy fishing on a calmer day. But if you guide, its too much like a chinese fire-drill. AND if it's rough weather, that bow seat sits ALOT higher than a seat in the back of the boat. OR maybe it's because it feels more like BULL riding up there then fishing.

I sorry to say, I haven't found a good Crestliner wheel boat for guiding yet.

HAVE FUN
BAJ

[smally]

if you think that you can backtroll with a powerful electric as well as somenoe can with an outboard, well you haven't backtrolled much. if the wind is light enough to use an electric motor, then you would be 100% more effective using your bowmount. but in windy weather and i mean a backtrolling wind, there is no electric that will outperform a 30hp-60hp outboard. period!!!

[cisco]

Not much to add -- However, I can say that my walk-thru windshield helps give me weeks of additional fishing time on both ends of the season. My first serious effort is brown trout fishing in Door County in April on both the Lake Michigan side and the Green Bay side. The windshield is super protection, both fishing and running to port.

Last year, the weather permitted open water fishing in central Minnesota into December. I would not have liked fishing in an open boat (by "open" I mean w/o windshield). At my age I like some creature comforts.

[Jay]

No way is a bowmount as precise as a transom mount electric, can't control speed or direction as quickly. BTW, I've backtrolled a ton. Between my 9.9 four-stroke and my 36 volt MinnKota Vantage 101, I can backtroll in most any conditions that I care to. I might have a hard time using that 30 to 60 hp on my 20' boat though.

Winnie T - if you fish big water, I wouldn't hesitate to go to a wheel boat. It takes some getting used to, but with big electics and kickers, they are just as fishable as a tiller in most situations. I always had tillers but I wouldn't go back now. Just be aware that not all wheel boats are suited for working from the back. Some don't track well in reverse and aren't set up for easy use of kickers and transom electrics.

[Minnesota]

I have a Lund 1900 Pro V LE. To me, its the best of both worlds. I can turn around and drive the kicker from my drivers seat, my partner has a windshield to sit behind, both of us can enjoy a smoothe ride from the back of the boat, plenty of power to run and gun, plenty of room. I would get this boat. They come with a pedistal mount in front of the passenger console. Have an extra one installed in front of the drivers console for when you have a couple buddies in the boat. Its aluminum so you can pull it up on shore with no worries. You might want to put an extension handle on your kicker but beyond that the boat is awesome. Hope this helps. I love mine and with a 200 Merc DFI Optimax they scream. With my jack plate I can run 63 mph. The girls love the rooster tail! :)

Minnesota

[Listener]

Tiller ProV 1776: Great until waves arise; then, too much weight in stern, especially if you have a kicker, too. If OB is high on transom, the torque on wheel in big water is beyond comfort, prop can blow out, and nose is too high. Boat takes a pounding and it is wet! No question, performance is far superior in wheel boat.

If you ever fish Mo. River, 'bago, or other big waters, you should pray for "no waves, no wind" after you get out 5-10 miles. Otherwise, you'll get pounded to death all the way back.

Forget tillers except on small lakes.

[GORD]

There are many things to be said for and against both tillers and consuls. Being in the back of the boat where you can see everything thats going on in the boat is one of my main concerns and is also something that often goes unmentioned in the comparison.

[Fritz]

Gord,

What you say about seeing everything going on in the boat is true, but my big complaint as a tiller guy was the buddy in front not watching careful enough for stumps, bars, etc. While I still hit some with my console, not nearly as many as with the old tiller. Unfortunately, I am hiting them faster and harder. :)

Fritz

[Eye crosser]

THERE IS NOT A WHELL BOAT MADE THAT CAN HANG WITH MY TILLER IN 3 FOOTERS!

[GullGuide]

Well guys,
I must be the worlds best bow mount opperator because I have NO trouble working structure that way. I guess to each his own..:)
>"////=<

[Tommy Mac]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-08-01 AT 08:55AM (CST)[p]
Sorry, posted in the wrong place.

[Tommy Mac]

I have had many a boat
Other than the fact that they all could float.

The one thing that was the same in them all
Is that there was no steering wheel at all.

Oh the wheels are nice
If it's for a truck to get on the ice.

They just don't seem right
In a boat for fishin, day or night.

So when the walleye's are hittin
And the wind is a blowin.

The only way to keep it under control
Is to fish from a boat with tiller control.

Hey Winnie, don't you dare switch
Or I'll have to fish with someone else to fix my itch.

First it was Shane then there was Kevin
Now you too? Couldn't let you go down without this warnin.

I'll tell you what, forget the wheel.
And when the fishin is done, I'll still buy a great meal.

TM

[Winnie T]

Tommy Mac, Im still laughing. I didn't know you were a poet. Thats the best poem I have ever read, why that poem alone is enough to convince a guy to stay with a tiller. Besides I wouldn't want to miss those Gosh Dam dinners.

Thanks to everyone who responded here!

Winnie T #105

[Gordy Powers]

Gull Guide,

What do you do when you have 2' waves coming out of the east,and your working an flats edge going south?With a tiller I can put out a drift sock,put my 80hp. 4 stroke in reverse an backtroll cicles around your bow mount!I have never seen a wheel boat hold with a good tiller yet!Everyone is saying you get wet ,I don't seem to have this problem,I have backtrolled in 4' waves without a problem!You need to have the right tiller,an ballance the weight right i.e. fill the front livewell!Most all wheel boats are rear heavy with the big engine,kicker,batteries,livewells&gas tank,an sitt in the water at an angle!The kicker is o.k but the recovery time is not the same as a tiller due to it being off set on the transom.I fish mille lacs all the time an have yet to see a console boat run any faster than my tiller when it's nasty out,if they try they usually slow down about 1/4 mile because they are getting beat!I can't go as fast as you but when I get there I am more effective!

[tinboat]

I'm switching to a tiller, my guiding partner has been a tiller guy for several years, on a windy day he kicks my butt on tight structure. Even with drift socks, big electric bow mount, kicker, he is able to track a breakline better than i can in my console. Plus he is sitting in the back, looking forward and can see his clients at all times, while I sit up front, neck craned back trying to watch my people, and after a few days my neck hurts like #####. So this year Im making the switch to a tiller, in hopes of cutting my fuel expenses, saving my neck, and getting more fishable room. But when it comes right down to it, its all a matter of personal choice....

[JKJ]

I went from a 19 footer with a 90 HP tiller to an 18 foot console with a 150 HP and 9.9 kicker. I couldn’t be happier. I can get to where I’m going fast, dry, comfortable and I can work any spot efficiently.

With the kicker tied into the main steering and a separate set of controls for the throttle, I can backtroll with the 9.9 from the console. Never get wet.

No one here has mentioned this, but it was my main complaint about a big tiller boat. I just about went deaf in my left ear with that motor screaming in it for 3 years!! Not to mention my left arm is no longer stiff for several days after running spots for a weekend.

[BigEye]

It was mentioned earlier that a tiller with a drift sock out the front could fish circles around a wheel boat w/ bowmount fishng south with 2 footers coming from the east. Well that wheel boat can put a sock off the front and bactroll from the counsel following the countour just the same as a tiller with a sock out the front.

[AquaMan]

I went from tiller to console back to tiller. My fishing style never changes, so I made a mistake in going to the console. It will be different for others, but I am a diehard tiller man.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[BigEye]

Gordy,

This maybe true to a point but that same wheel boat can put a sock off the front and backtroll from the cousel position in big waves and be able to follow a specific contour. The principles are the same it you think about it the only difference is instead of turning the outboard with your hand you turn it with your hand via the steering wheel. Just a thought

[TRE]

Why cant a wheel boat put a drift sock out the front, sit at the counsel, kick the outboard in reverse and bactroll in big waves along a contour just like a tiller with a sock out the front?

[JKJ]

I'd agree with that statement. I can backtroll with the best of them at my console.

[tinboat]

I have done that, and you can do it, but you spend a lot of time spinning the wheel around, and I really didnt care for all the fumes coming from that 200 back there....
In my application, and my style of fishing, a tiller is a better choice.
Thats one of the cool things about boats, everyone has choices and we all can find something that works for each one of us. If we all fished from one type of boat we wouldnt have as much to talk about.

[T-bone]

Tiller guys have an advantage here. We can change the direction and the throttle with one hand, leaving the other hand open for a fishing rod. Trying doing that with a wheel boat.

[Gordy Powers]

Big Eye

This is true but your recovery time is twice as long as a tiller, plus you can't be very comfortable! I watch the guys struggle all day. Tillers with the right engine i.e. 4-strokes are unbeatable.I can adjust the carb on mine so the engine runs at 600rpm.all this an no fumes,an I can talk to my partner with out yelling!This year I will be running a wheel,but I hope to sell my tiller to a buddy just for back trolling on Mille Lacs.
I really need to talk the wife into the 2 boat concept-YA RIGHT!
I can here it now,new baby due in May an you need 2 boats!

Good Luck

Gordy

[T. Ryan]

I have fished out of both and with the new four stokes that idel down so low I love my tiller. 195 T. Pro with 100 Yamaha 4 stoke tiller and a Minnkota 74lb on the back also. If the water gets to wild for the electric then the yamaha can take over. It will back troll down to 2 mph on my GPS all day long, no smell, noise or vibration. The 195 has a ton of room - don't know why they quit making them and the new 185's have a bad design for the new electronics box as far as I am concerned.
No dought that the consoles will keep you dry when running hard but it takes away room and they cost more.
It comes down to what your needs are.

Good luck !

T.

[ripper]

i started in a console with a wheel, and watched as i got my a<<<< kicked in rough water by tillers ,i have spent 3 yrs in a tiller and would not go back , the big boys with there 200 , 225 , will beat me down the lake ,, but i can stay there when it gets rough . to me (and this is my opinion) i watch these guys with the steering wheel fight all day for control in 3 ,4 footers .
while i do it with ease,, and i know i have to leave a little sooner to get home at the same time . I am a tiller guy, never to go back.
smile ripper

[C P H]

I keep hearing about how dry you guys in your wheelboats stay when your in 3 footers could have fooled me my buddies all have rough riding backbracking Lund consual boats Then there me with my 16 foot Lakelund glass tiller rides great boatcontrol is no problem yes I fish big water ie. greenbay,Lacseul Top it all off I get just as wet as everyone else out in rough water but trade my tiller I dont think so

[Jay]

Well, good for you! I don't think anyone asked you to trade your precious tiller.

[steve(IL)]

Thanks BAJ.

[T-Mac]

Hey, you can have both!
I am an old tiller guy (easy all you buddies of mine!!!..I know I am old!)
My last 3 boats have been LUND Pro-V LE s. In this boat, you can have a console and a big motor and decent speed, and still have a tiller to back-troll with.
I use a High-thrust 4-stroke tiller model kicker, throw a drift sock out the front on a really short hitch,(I put a cleat dead center at the front of the bow deck) got the wave wackers, and I can backtroll as well as I could in my big tillers that I used to run.
I also have a steering tie bar that I hook up from the 200hp. to the kicker when I want to forward troll using the kicker that way, too. It pops on or off in about 5 seconds.
Hey I stll have " a tiller", but no more neck and shoulder problems associated with hanging onto the big tiller on 40 mile down-wind runs.

[Guideman]

I have been guiding out of Crestliner's for many
years and all of them worked great. I have a walk thru 18ft sportfish it is easy to run fom the back of the boat and with a remote control
for the bow mount I can use both trolling motors
to hold the smallest structure. My clients love the dry ride and I can fish four adults in total
comfort. I guide on Lake Vermilion were most of the structure is isolated humps and rock piles and I have no problems holding in high wind and
waves. Back in the day all of the pro's used to fish out of tillers, now very few still use them
there must be a reason for the change. :)

guideman.

[fishin_fool]

Winnie. T... You should go for a ride in my wheel boat. Tommy mac is in love with it. Just ask him! :) I liked my tillers but will never go back to one. If its to rough for the electric and I have to I use the big motor, thats what I do. I went with a d- opti instead of a gas kicker and I am glad that I did. It works well. You should go out in a wheel boat for a day and see what you think. Tommy Mac did!!

[ranger owner]

The reason for the pro's using console's is that they need the bigger motors to travel faster from spot A to spot B when the fish arnt bitting on the bigger lakes that most tornaments are held on. Also for pulling crankbaits consoles are easier. Most pros I have talked to have said they would go back to a tiller when there done fishing tornaments. My dad owned a Ranger 619 console boat and that sure was fun listening to him complain about trying to rig and control the boat in 3 foot waves on Winnie from the bow, when A guy 40 feet away was in a 16 foot aluminum tiller with a 40hp on the back was fishing with ease. I bought a ranger 18 foot tiller and couldnt be happier not to mention all the floor space I have. Another thing is I dont have the consoles in the way of trying to net my partners fish.

[ranger owner]

The reason for the pro's using console's is that they need the bigger motors to travel faster from spot A to spot B when the fish arnt bitting on the bigger lakes that most tornaments are held on. Also for pulling crankbaits consoles are easier. Most pros I have talked to have said they would go back to a tiller when there done fishing tornaments. My dad owned a Ranger 619 console boat and that sure was fun listening to him complain about trying to rig and control the boat in 3 foot waves on Winnie from the bow, when A guy 40 feet away was in a 16 foot aluminum tiller with a 40hp on the back was fishing with ease. I bought a ranger 18 foot tiller and couldnt be happier not to mention all the floor space I have. Another thing is I dont have the consoles in the way of trying to net my partners fish.

[karpbuster]

Had a tiller, switched to a wheel, back to a tiller.

I go slow, dress to get wet and stay warm, I want to control the boat and hopefully catch a fish.

Best way I know how is to fish with a tiller. That is what I like.

Is it that time of the winter already? Coming sooner and sooner. :)

karpbuster

[seaarkmvt]

Tiller for me.I tried a console boat,and did not like it.So I am back to a tiller.A bowmount troll motor,and a great running main motor is all I need.I think tiller boats are making a comeback,and with powersteering it is easier.