Tiller Or Console

[Greencoachdog]

I voted console!

 

I'm sure a tiller has some advantages... but I can't think of any.

I prefer a console for the simple fact you can always see where you're going, using a tiller and taking off from a standstill.... give 'er gas and look straight forward, what do you see?... the front floor of the boat, the same with stopping... but that's just me!

 

 

Art, that is called stick steering... you're playing with your boat's stick, pushing it back and forth, back and forth...

[Mike the Pike]

Here is something I found on the net.If only a Manufacturer could build a boat that you could drive with a wheel switch to the stern in comfortable position to troll. now that would be the ideal boat maybe even a retractable winshield.

 

 

 

 

This is from the net

 

I've been looking the Lowe Angler series of aluminum boats for fishing lakes

>and light duty saltwater. For each length model the choice is either

>console or tiller steering. What are benefits and advantages does one have

>over the other? This is going to be my first boat purchase and your

>insights would be greatly appreciated.

 

>TIA...bg

 

 

 

Biggest difference will be in comfort/convenience vs. fishing room.

 

A console steered boat has some shelter from the wind and water, which are

valuable if you fish in rough condiitions. The only thing more uncomfortable

than sitting and fishing on a very cold day is driving across the lake at 35

mph on a very cold day.

 

 

With a console, you also get a convenient arrangement of controls where

everything is within half an arm's length. You also get better weight

distribution with more weight toward the front of the boat; the overall

performance of the boat may be be a bit better, although the weight of the

console eats some of that up.

 

 

A tiller steered boat offers maximum useful space. There's nothing in the

middle of the boat (like a console) to snag your line on. You can have more

people fishing from the boat without feeling as crowded. It's a simpler boat

to maintain, with no steering or trim systems, and all other wiring systems (Tillers Now have power trim)

simplified since everything is right there in the back of the boat.

 

 

Here's the bad news: Whichever you get, you will probably be sorely reminded

of the advantages of the other style when you are needing those features.

 

 

Here's the good news: You'll probably own both types in your boating lifetime.

 

 

Here's more bad news: When you have moved from one to the other, you'll miss

the old one, too.

 

 

No boat is perfect. Analyze it, pick one, go fishing.

 

 

-- Rich Stern

[OhioFisherman]

Don`t old guy`s use tillers? I mean really, younger guys like myself and Lew have adjusted quite well to steering wheels, granted it takes some doing, but I am sure that given enough time even some of you geezers can do it! LOL just kidding, it`s a matter of personal preference, if you troll a lot on smaller waters a tiller makes sense.

 

How many don`t get the car thing?

[IanD]

All I have ever run in 30 years is a tiller. New rig follows the same style.

I like the extra floor space and the extra degree of control offered. Now if I was making a 30 mile run, I'd let the son-in-law drive.

[danc]

Sight fishing, and seeing whats up front of me is my game, so a console is my choice. And, although I rarely do, I have the option of battening down the hatches and putting the top up in inclement weather. From what I understand, the precision that back trolling for Walleye requires is best done with a tiller. But that's not my game. I'll stick with my console with all of my gauges right in front of me.

[Clampet]

Console, for shelter from elements.

Edited December 17, 2006 by Clampet

[Bob Devine]

I prefer a console but with a smaller boat 14-16 a console would be best. I had the chance to guide a guy last yr on the Detroit River with a 20 Ranger with a 150 tiller/power steering of course and thought it was cool. Only problem was blast off, it was a 4 stroke and you had to keep an eye when as it took a bit to get on plane. Lots of room for fishing on that boat.

I have a 21' - 225 Merc with the console and for the big water around here, LSC, Erie and other bodies that I fish I would have nothing else.

[Fish Farmer]

TILLER all the way I have both, Stand up top in all. But doing some real fishing, give me my TILLER.

[glen]

my boat and motor can be tiller or console. I have never used it as a tiller. I had a tiller before and the console is better. I can talk to the person beside me when running at speed. Try that in a tiller with a guy in the bow.

[PERCHER]

Also a Tiller fan.More floor space.I need all the floor space I can get for all those monster fish we catch

[Carp]

Have both, still get wet when it rains and lose my hat in the wind...

 

Ditto !!!

 

Have both, but I prefer the side console.