What Type Of Boat Do You Own? - Tiller or Console?

[LMITOUT]

Since there was a thread on the brand of boat owned by Fishing Minnesota members, I was curious as to the configuration of said boats and which is more popular.

[Wade Joseph]

But my next one I will be going back to a tiller.

[Fishin4Life]

I am looking at new boats (well not new, but new to me) and am undecided about tiller or counsel. What do you guys think? any input would be great. thanks

I have a 14ft standard fishing boat now, tiller stear

[PerchJerker]

If you're deciding between tiller and console, you need to think about how you use the boat, how and where you fish, and how big of a boat and motor do you want. Each style has its advantages / disadvantages --- each has situations where it would excel vs. the other style.

[The_Duckslayer]

If you are going to hunt out of it the console will be a major inconvience! Other than that it just depends on what you are comfortable with I guess. Have a good one and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[stmichael]

IMO: I plan on staying with the console, if I was a hunter I would have another boat with a tiller. Plain Jane, john/duck boat. To me, a console is more comfortable, to operate.

[Random guy]

I own a counsel but wish it was a tiller every time I run short on room or have to dance around it when a fish runs to the back of the boat.

The next boat will be tiller for sure.

[eyepatrol]

I think you'll find there are a number of different opinions and preferences. Mine is to have a dual console with wrap-around windshield. I prefer to drive with a steering wheel and be protected from the wind and wave splash with the full windshield. Port side console is nice for my wife to store things for us and the kids in the glove compartment (i.e. - sunscreen, bug spray, snacks, cell phone, camera, etc).

[musky hunter]

Dual console walk through windshield, Smokercraft Ultima 175. It's deep and stable in rough weather. I much prefer the dual consoles because it's a warmer boat when moving, and around Lake Superior those cool lake breezes are something to contend with. If I only fished bass on small inland lakes it would be a different story, but I want the freeeboard because I do encounter white caps and the windshield to keep myself and passenger warmer.

[robbro]

It would be interesting to know what the walleye pros run

[Fishin4Life]

I do believe that most Walleye pros use tiller, but then again it does go by personal preference. I am leaning toward tiller stear just because it has more room. But I also would like something a bit versitle, my girlfriend and family do not enjoy fishing to the extent that I do so I would also like something that is able to tube and do things like that behind so they can come out every now and again to have a bit of fun ont he water. I wish I could afford two boats!

[Rost]

A small percentage of the pros (FLW and PWT) run a tiller. And if they do, often the tiller is juiced up with hydrolic steering assist such as a Merten Steering System. The Merten allows them to put larger engines on (150+).

Most of the pro tourneys are on big water and 30+ mile runs are common. So speed and comfort become important factors. Therefore, most of them choose a wheel boat.

[PerchJerker]

Agree that most of the walleye pros run console boats, and speed and comfort and big water is part of it. But another thing, in terms of walleye fishing and boat control, there's nothing you can do in a tiller boat that you can't do in a console boat that's properly equipped and rigged. But with a console boat like that you're talking about a big, expensive boat.

[BigWadeS]

I currently own a console, however; I am wondering if there is an advantage to have a tiller or if it is just buyer's choice?

[Rost]

I run a tiller as well. There are advantages and disadvantages to a tiller.

Advantages-

1. Tiller has more room and often times more storage.

2. Boat control is easier-Faster steering response

3. Less Expensive-Typically the tiller boats are rated for smaller engines which means less money to buy the rig and less money to shell out at the pump.

4. They make you look tougher than the others out there

Disadvantages

1. Smaller motor means you are now the slowest boat out there. Just watch the wheel boats fly by!

2.Wet/Cold- There are times you get wetter than you would in a wheel boat. But then again, I've been soaked from head to toe in many full windshield boats as well. (It goes back to being tough).

3. Not as comfy for those 15 mile runs down river.

It's all what you want out of your boat. Myself, I like my tiller and will probably buy another.

[mtreno]

another thing to keep in mind is what you are able to do. i have really bad shoulders - loss of movement and pain have made my choice of a wheeled boat much easier. being a musky freak have a ton of space was important so went with a single console. with no seats in the boat and just the single there is a ton of space in there for a 17 footer. plus my musky box fit between the drivers seat and the console so everything has its place with more than enough room for that state record i have been looking for...... course my boat partner hates riding on the floor in big water but i just keep telling him he needs to "man up" a little bit and quit B**chin. oh ya and sitting on a life jacket has helped with that as well.

the only time i wish i had anything else is walleye opener every year on mille lacs when the rain is just about to turn to snow and everyone we seem to look at is all nice and dry behind there windshield with there top over there heads bobber fishing...... hey at least i put the seats back in for that

[Cooter]

I run a tiller cuz I only got/can afford a small 14' and I think its a huge waste of space to put a console on something that small. Plus I like the free shower I get in the back of that little fart when cruisin the waves

[Sonicrunch]

Quote:

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I run a tiller cuz I only got/can afford a small 14' and I think its a huge waste of space to put a console on something that small. Plus I like the free shower I get in the back of that little fart when cruisin the waves

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+1

Same here.

[walleyeking#8]

I, too run a tiller. It is not because it is cheaper, it is because you have way better boat control. My buddy and I fish in a walleye league and we take turns using his boat and then mine. He has a console and I have a tiller. I would rather use my boat every week.

I have friends that have fished the PWT as amatuers and they say there are some pros running tillers(big tillers). I guess everyone has there opinions. When I can find someone with a console who can control there boat better than I can with my tiller, I will have to learn how he/she does it and then maybe I will switch to a console.