Tiller or Console?

[Mark]

I currently own a 15 ft smoker tiller, I mostly fish smaller bodys of water but occasionally fish larger bodys of water. I would like to upgrade to a 17 ft lund, I'm thinking of a Mr. Pike or a 17 ft Angler tiller with a 75 hp four stroke merc or honda, Question is what are some of the advantages of each, I'm looking for some different points of view, maybe something that I have not thought of.

Thanks Mark

[Fritz]

I went with a console on my new boat last summer. I was tired of sitting in the back of the boat getting wet while my buddy sat up front dry. Especially since I am fishing bigger lakes than I use to and fishing is always better on the other side you tend to run across them. I enjoy driving it more and I have improved visibility.

If you like trolling, you defintely loose some boat control. I prefer casting jigs and cranks.

The console does take up space, but I have still have more in the new boat. (old boat 14', new boat 16') Besides, I use the area under the console for storage of a few things.

Also, in the future we might get some dual use and try tubing or water skiing. I believe a console would be preferred for both activities.

Good luck with your choice,
Fritz

[Lawrence]

HI.

This is really personal preferance. I like a tiller for the added room in the boat and boat control. The counsol is nice if you run far distances or want to pull water toys. But for fishing I beleive a tiller is the way to go.With a tiller you can steer, use the throttle, and shift gears and still hold a fishing rod. To me, if your trying to hold over structure in a wind or current this is important.

Good luck
Lawrence

[Tommy Mac]

Mark,
Tillers make the best pure fishing boats, but then, they are not for everyone. Catch A Big One! Tommy Mac

[Terry/JNR]

My vote would be for a console. Bigger hp motors. More long running capability. Less fatigue on the long runs. If you mount a kicker, console control is nice. Overall better control of the boat when under power and of course much drier. As for boat control while fishing, I can nearly hover over a rock pile or a single fish on the graph with the use of front and rear electric motors even in 4 ft waves. I beleive I can out control any tiller modle boat out there. So conmtrol while fishing isn't much of an issue any more.
I think you'll find a lot more pros than cons for a console steer rig.

[River_eye]

Not Again! ha ha :-) You could probably find all you need to know in the archive as this discussion has come up a few times before.

River eye

[Kip#1]

Take into account what kind of trolling you do. When I'm trolling, the only time I can use the big motor is for dragging crankbaits. It trolls too fast for most live bait dragging applications, and usually too fast even for any lake trout trolling when I'm in Canada. My boat is only 16'+ and this is based on the 40 HP I used to have on it. With a 60 HP, it'll be cranks only. For slower speeds I rely on two electrics - primary push from transom-mounted MK, direction adjustment with the bow-mounted MK. I wouldn't go back to a tiller (19 years in a tiller, 3 now in a console). But that's just me.

[Terry/JNR]

Finally. Guys properly using 2 electrics are hard to find. I don't think they comprehend using the 2 at the same time. No offence intended. I've been running front and rear for several years, but with a powerdrive bow mount on the stern so I can control both motors from anywhere in the boat.

[jim]

I was a tiller man for along time.they are the best boat for presentation,but now I have a console and it just takes a little getting used to.we could go on all day about witch one is better.in small boats the tiller i think is always better.but in larger more heftyer boats the console rules.16ft.is were the 2 come together

[NICK]

Mark, if you're used to a tiller and looking at a 17' boat, stick with the tiller. Go with a four stroke 70-75 hp. With fuel heading towards two bucks a gallon, you'll not only have a more roomy fishing platform, but an economical one as well.

[Fin Addict]

Both have advantages. My brother has a Lund w/ a console and I have the same in a tiller. We take the best boat for what we want to do. I prefer my tiller for the way I fish walleyes, slow and more precise. On a windy day when boat control is more difficult, I know we catch more fish from my tiller - that windshield is a great sail in the wind. Tiller also has more storage room and is easier to move around in. I also like having my electronics right in front of me when I am fishing. To do this w/ the console requires multiple screens. That being said, you get wetter, can't have as much hp on the same boat (slower)and are not as comfortable on the way out to fish. Console w/ an autopilot is the way to go if you troll a lot on big water or if you want to ski a lot. When wind is not a factor, I notice less difference between the two. Collapsable windshields would be slick.