Dual Windshields Are Functionally Worthless!

[FishYearRound]

There have been quite a few posts lately about dual or walkthru windshields. Being a year around boater I believe I can state for a fact that the full windshield is 100% better than a boat with the dual wind screens. Personally, I have found that the dual wind screens have almost no value..you might as well have no windwhield as to have them. Sure they provide a small amount of wind deflection, but they really serve no usefull purpose. Contrary to what some have posted here, the full windshield does not cause much drag, does not interfer with casting or fishing in general, is not a big deal to close, and definately serves the purpose for which it was intended..to protect those in the boat. Someone stated in a earlier post that they felt the dual windscreens are popular because of a more sporty look to them. I tend to agree with this. I, for one, would much rather be protected form the wind, rain, bugs, etc. then to look have a feeling of perceived coolness. These boats cost too much to not be fully functional and with the dual wind screens, IMHO, the boat is not fully functional. That's my take on this issue.

[AnotherViewPoint]

As you said, that is YOUR take on the issue. Good thing you recognize that. Opinions are like noses ... everybody has at least one.

Mine is very different from yours. I have fished out of a friend's walkthrough. It was a pain in the butt helping him net his fish if he had to stay in that bow seat to run the trolling motor in strong winds. In hot weather that wtw robbed me of a refreshing 30 mph breeze during our travels to the next fishing spot.

I fished in September with another friend out of my own boat which has a single console. The high for the 5 days we fished together was 45 degrees. It was down right nasty. I wore a fleece jacket and pants and put over them a gore-tex rain suit. I was fine at 30 mph motoring to our next spot for sometimes 30 minutes at a time in even fairly high winds. He, on the other hand, with zero console protection, was dying even with a down jacket and pants inside goretex exterior.

That console offers a lot more protection than you give it credit for. It does NOT offer as much as the wtw, I agree, but don't sell it short. You are welcome to your opinion. Just don't try to sell this as a black and white issue. It isn't.

[perchjerker]

I thought he was comparing a full windshield to those little motorcycle windshields, as I call them. Not a single console.

[AnotherViewPoint]

Boy, Perch, I read his post twice again. I sure see him comparing a wtw to a windscreen ... not necessarily the mini-bubble type. If I am wrong, so be it. Won't be the first time ... just ask my wife!! lol.

[perchjerker]

He says dual wind screens. I figure thats what he meant. I guess we will have to wait to see what he says. Not that it makes much difference. Im just waiting to go home! :)

[schrof]

You ever try jigging vertical in a river with 20 mph winds or more with a full windshield(even if its open in the middle)? Makes it much more difficult to stay on top of fish. Agree, most of time full windshield helps in nasty weather.

[John]

I have had two boats with a full, walk-through windshield, and it has never occured to me that it was a problem. My first was a 5.3 Tyee, and now the 1700 Fisherman that I have. I guess that until you know you have a problem, you don't have one.

[T-Mac]

Well, of course, this is a personal preference thing.
I think the design of the boat makes alot of difference. Say a Pro-V or a Ranger Fisherman (low profile, non-wind catching models) for example, are gonna be less affected by wind than a high sided rig, windshield or not.
BUT....we get mucho WIND, WIND, WIND out here, and in a finesse bite,I tend to pull up the bow mount, throw out the sock, put down the kicker and start backtrolling when it gets breezy. You know...as soon as the bow mount gets to be "work". The walk-thru doesn't seem to hinder me in this. (1900 Pro-V IFS, now, but I have had Le and Se and Tillers in the past)
No two ways about it, the more sticking up above the water the more wind you will catch. If the boat is low profile, however, you can still manage very good control even with the full windshield (the middle section of the windshield is always open while fishing anyway). It may take some different tactics.
BUT>>>>HEYYYYY is it ever nice when it is 28 degrees and windy and you have 20 miles to run....to have that windshield to hide behind, eh?
I finally went to a full windshield (IFS) in 2002 and my 2003 has it also...I must confess.. I am a wimp now , because I love it.

[MikeMT]

I totally agree,T-Mac!Fishing is supposed to be fun,55 MPH in 40 degree or less weather is best experienced behind a full windshield.
Mike

[Atomic Eye]

Now, please tell me guys. With a a heavy squall, with rain pouring down, how much does your fishing partner (namely your wife) with a boat that only has a single console enjoy being out with you? How much more money are you spending for expensive Gore Tex outfits to try to minimally compensate for lack of protection? When you need / want the protection, you absolutely need it!

We're talking comfort vs bare bones fishing. If you wanted the easiest fishing mobility, wouldn't you console guys go for a no-console boat? Doesn't that provide you the best boat movement & least space usage? You're making some compromise that you feel is worth it. Why did you even invest in the extra cost of a console?

Seems to me that it's a question of giving up some access to freedom of movement for the much greater comfort / versatility afforded by the WTW. This is a personal decision / preference. There is no right or wrong, only pros and cons with willingness to expose oneself to the harsh elements.

Atomic Eye (New Mexico) -- "Gone Fission!" ~~~<}}}:>

[Guest]

I fished some RCL events last year in both boats with full windshields and individual console windshields. On Saginaw bay in the heat of the summer I did not notice a difference in the amount of air or water that hit me as a passenger. In the Detroit river on Friday morning and Sunday it was just flat out cold. No one sits behind the folding section anyways so what does it do for you?

The biggest thing that I did notice was on the durability of them. If you plan on going out in a place like Saginaw bay and going as fast as you can in 3' to 4' waves you had better have the individual console windshields. They are much more durable. Twice last season I seen the vertical bar that braces the full windshield break from its mount. After it broke free, the whole windshield slammed up and down an inch or two and kept slamming the brace onto the top of the consoles. Granted, I would never drive my boat like those guys did, so i would probably not have to worry a whole lot about it. But if you are a fearless speed freak in rough water, you will probably eventually break the support mounts.

[Atomic Eye]

You have a good point for whatever small percentage of fisherman who are willing to put their lives on the line for the trophy or tournament. Is this thread oriented towards those few or the larger number who wonder what is reasonable to spend their hard earned bucks on when they get their weekends to fish? I maybe mistakedly assumed it was for the latter. Maybe we need a thread for the Pro Forum and also for this one?

Atomic Eye (New Mexico) -- "Gone Fission!" ~~~<}}}:>

[LundBob]

Here's the problem though. Yes i want a full windshield but if your buying Lund in the 16-18K range. Your only option is a Pro-Sport. The Mr.Pike is the boat i WANT. But i might have to settle for a Pro Sport because it has a wtw. It is 4 inches shorter and 4 inches skinnier. With 3 kids i don't want to give up that extra room. My feeling is I do 90% of my fishing in decent weather. I always check the forecast. If it's going to be bad weather i don't think my wife will go anyways. So i'm going to try and convince her just getting the optional port console on the Mr. Pike is good enough. I hope she agrees.

[Hooky]

Lund Bob, Good choice for the money. I have the same and find that the extra storage in the port console is worth the money alone.

[targa2]

For this reason I carry a full face snowmobile helmut in my boat all year.Running in the rain can be downright painful as well as dangerous when you can't see.

[Fishing Junky]

You sell your 16fter w/25 yammy yet?

[LundBob]

Just put it in the paper yesterday and someone called 1st thing this morning and is coming to look at it this afternoon. I had an ad up at my and wife's work this week but no calls. So i popped for the paper ad. Hard to sell a boat in the middle of winter!!!

[LundBob]

IT SOLD!!! 1st guy to look at it bought it. I am now officially in the market. I feel like a kid on christmas morning:}

[Fishing Junky]

Congrats Bob. Would have made a great BWCA boat for my bro in law. I live in Duluth as well. Oh well. Enjoy your new one. Junky.........

[rebs]

I believe both have their place
it depends on where you fish and how you fish and how many fish with you etc.

I prefer a walk thru because I live and fish western new york and fish all winter. when the temps are in the teens I like being out of the wind when making a run to a different spot, also when spending long hours trolling for muskies and walleye

however almost all the charter boats in the area have a side console and thats what they prefer as it allows more room for clients etc..

so both have a purpose and it is a matter of personal preference
also there are a few center console boats

different strokes for difference folks

rebs

[JimP]

Well Al I've had the full windshield before and kind of liked it but now I've got one like yours. I hope that it's not too bad on those long runs down the river or out on Erie. I'm sure that most of the time it'll be ok but on those bad days I'll be thinking that I'm not the only one out here suffering, you'll probably be there too LOL. See ya this weekend. Jim

[Steve]

Just what I want to do, carry a full face shield to protect myself! Get the full windshield!!!!

[REW]

I have to differ with the statement that dual windshields are functionally worthless.

For cold weather running in the spring and fall - with little chop - the dual windshields, and associated consoles, really help to stop the wind and chill on the persons body.

The thing that is significant ; is the 2nd console. Although the windshield is short, the upward curve at the top, really deflects air, much higher, than you might imagine. The important thing; is that you have a console go keep the bulk of the air off your body.

Also, if you want even more blockage - you can spot a cooler in the space between the consoles, and keep even more of the cool wind, from bleeding back.

I also agree, that the construction of the typical walk through is much more suspect to heavy wave damage - from the shock of hitting the waves; than the shorter more solidly built - dual consoles.

Take care
REW

[SnellTier]

Great idea about the cooler, REW. I just ordered a Mr. Pike 18 with dual consoles and I will use that trick!! Would never have thought of it!!!!!

[BlackSilver]

I have a single console, no windshield (not even a little one), and we love it. Yes, my wife fishes with me a LOT, and we much prefer the open design.

Full windshields are for sissies.

Walk softly and carry a big fish.

Hans/MN
--
"Many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is
not fish they are after." - H.D. Thoreau

[eyechsr]

There are some days from november thru april I wish I had a full windshield, But the reason I like my dual mini w/shields is when I'm towing, I love the way you remove the windshields then just cover the boat with its trailer cover and off I go.
In less then 10 minutes I have my 1890 Pro V ready to roll down the highway with minumal wind resistance, this is important as I tow it with a 1990 ranger 4.0 and have down so for over 200,000 miles, towing the same boat with a windshield is almost not possible, I also have alot more visibilty.
I do carry a propane heater neopream face mask and goggles though.

[portable windshield]

With all the pro & con discussions of a single console, dual console, and walk through windshield why has no one mentioned portable windshields like the one I built at http://www.walleyesearchers.com/comfortsboat.htm as another alternative? Has anyone else built one?

Dave