Center Console Boats

[Vuddah]

Hey guys,

I am new to the boat world and wanted opinions to help guide me in a direction. I am a college student with a wallet not so big yet. I will primary use a boat to navigate lakes and rivers around minnesota. I had stumbled across a boat that fits my wants (price [$2000 or less], casting deck, motor, trailor and size) but found out that it is a center console (skiff) boat. Any opinions (as how it rides, casting problems due to it being in the middle, etc.)on this boat seeing how its different that the normal "right sided" steering placement?

Thanks,

Vuddah

[Here-Kitty-Kitty]

I prefer to sit in the middle as I'm 6'3 280lbs. I have been in center console boats the the console was way up front to all the way back. I have never personally had a problem cast, and we have had 3 guys casting many times without problems at that. I say go for it, do what feels right to you.

[traveler]

I looked hard for a couple years to find a good center console in this area...not the typical style of course. I fish a lot of saltwater and really like them for thier fishability, casting wise anyway. You can fish (and net) anywhere around the boat, it's easier for several guys to get around, I like the "look" of a CC, just a fun style of boat. Easy to clean with no carpet, just hose it off.

I wouldn't call mine a skiff...some CC's are, but many are deeper hulls as well. Mine is a bay boat, kind of 1/2 way between a skiff and a Vee. It's glass, so it's heavier, rides well and handles bigger water just fine.

Drawbacks; generally less seating, not my favorite to troll out of, both from seating and rod holder standpoint. I could put in more holders, but I don't want to drill the rails. Rides fairly wet, not so good for early/late season. Probably a main reason they aren't so popolar up north.

All around a fun boat, and great for muskie casting. The CC doesn't get in the way, and I like to be able to easily follow a fish anywhere around the boat, and net anywhere as well.

[Vuddah]

Moving up from a canoe to this will be a very exciting change. Thanks for everyone's personal experiences. This has helped me out a lot

Vuddah

[PerchJerker]

I've only spent a few days in center console boats, and have never owned one. I'm not sure what the ones I've been in are called, but they had a fairly steep deadrise (ie. V at the back of the hull). That keeps them drier and faster in rough water compared to a flatter bottom hull, but also more side-to-side tippy than a flat bottom hull.

I liked fishing from them. We were always anchored or drifting and they're great for those applications. I've never trolled in one and never gone casting in one. With the right electric motor and deck setup I think they'd work good for casting. Trolling really depends on how well and slow the motor runs at low speeds, how well the boat handles, and what you can do for rod holders if you want them.

[Northlander]

I think for the way most of us fish around here your better off with a tiller or console boat of some sort. To me that center console takes up a lot of room in the center and in most almost cuts the boat in half. If your up front and have to get to the back to net a fish or vise versa its always in the way. Im not a big fan of them.

[traveler]

Steve...It is a console boat! come out and fish with me and see if you still feel that way:)

I've fished out of my friends 20' ranger, and his duel console really seems to divide the boat. I can get front-to-back way quicker in my boat, going down either side. True, an open floor plan Lund tiller is easier, and probably a better all around boat for around here, but the CC does some things very well.

[CAMAN]

I think for the way most of us fish around here your better off with a tiller or console boat of some sort. To me that center console takes up a lot of room in the center and in most almost cuts the boat in half. If your up front and have to get to the back to net a fish or vise versa its always in the way. Im not a big fan of them.

I've fished out of them and never had an issue. In fact saltwater guys fight MUCH bigger fish than us in da nort and sometimes need to run a couple laps around a boat and never seem to have a problem.

[PerchJerker]

Didn't Nitro or someone like that make a center console bass boat a few years ago? Looked pretty much like a side or dual console, just had the console in the center and room to get around it on the sides. I never saw one in person, just in magazines or advertisements.

[CAMAN]

Yup, its call the Z9-CDC (center dual console) and they're still being made. I love the thought behind it but haven't seen one either to make up my mind if I like it or not. I'm worried the side walkways might be a little too narrow to get around easily.

[traveler]

I googled it...thats about as far from a center console as I've ever seen. The steering wheel is in the center, thats it. NOT a center console by any practical definition.

[CAMAN]

For a two person bass boat its about as close as you can get. What do expect?

[traveler]

Center console boats are not bass boats by nature. Google Sea Hunt boats...pretty typical centers there.

Heres a pic of mine......

[hanson]

I think most folks thoughts on a center console boat is a Boston Whaler or something similar. I'm not sure if thats my preferred boat but it is an option.

Now when you start talking about larger center console jonboats or center console bay boats, my ears perk up. Width of the boat is important for maneuvering around the console for sure.

Larry Dahlberg had an episode of Hunt for Big Fish where he fished out of a 22-24' Skeeter Bay Boat for muskies. Basically said it was one of the best muskie boats he'd ever fished out of and wondered why more muskie guys weren't leaning that direction with there boat choice.

IMO... nothing wrong with a Center Console at all if that is what you like.