Tiller Vs. Console for fishing?

[beretta]

Im looking at getting a new (used) boat for fishing. I will mainly be fishing LOTW along with some smaller lakes near Brainerd. Now having said that I wont be out in 4 foot rollers...I live right by the lake so I have my choice of days to fish. So I dont need a 24 foot yar craft or anything like that. I'm looking more along the lines of a 16-19 foot boat with a 60-120hp motor. I'm simply wondering what everyone's thoughts are about a tiller vs a console (steering wheel) type boat? What are the pros and cons of each? Thanks for any input.

[NELS-BELLS]

For strictly fishing...I like tillers. I believe Gary Roach still fishes with a tiller. I had a tiller and now I have a full console because my kids are older now and they want to ski and tube, etc. I really miss my tiller. So much more room and great for back trolling.

Nels

[Deitz Dittrich]

Tillers leave more room inside the boat, and I think they back troll much better.. HOwever I can see advantages to both.

[Fish Head]

Personally I like the console. I fish bigger water and appreciate a windshield and steering wheel.

[BoxMN]

Long babblig here... heh.

We (me and bro) have a 18' 150hp console (main fishing boat), and a 16' 50hp console (duck boat).

If you plan to do ANY skiing or tubing, I would recommend console. Since you mention fishing and nice days, then console would not be needed, but still kinda nice for long runs, and to be honest, the console is anice place for putting stuff

I know there are a lot of real nice big tiller boats, but I would say anything bigger than 90 hp I would want console.

For our 16' boat, I wish that was tiller for more room for decoys, and just plain more room in the boat. Also you don't need a console for smaller hp IMO. Backtrolling would be easier with tiller, but with that said, we do just fine with this boat and have since 82 for backtrolling walleyes with it. It doesn't turn as far or as fast as tiller though, and that is noticable.

I guess for me, for LOTW, I would go larger hp and console. We had our 18' out there once and weather turned on us and I would not have wanted to be in tiller boat that day! ha! Water over the motor and bow at same time at times, and our boat isn't that small and we are not total rookies

[Nick Kuhn]

If you plan on fishing in the rain with any boat capable of 30+MPH, you will definitely appreciate the console. Also nice on very cold days as well.

[UMDSportsman]

If you buy a tiller, the second thing you are going to want to buy is a good rainsuit. If there is anything above about 3-4 inch waves, i am always getting sprayed. both have their good things and their bad.

[propster]

Another thought is the type of fishing you will mainly be doing. If trolling, especially for walleye and with bactrolling, a tiller will probably serve you better. If mostly casting, such as for bass and musky, and if there will ever be more than one fisherman in the boat, the consoles have the rear deck with a base for a seat or butt seat, and that's really advantageous. A side or single console is a bit of a split-the-difference choice as far as space and room.

[TravP]

If you buy a tiller, the second thing you are going to want to buy is a good rainsuit. If there is anything above about 3-4 inch waves, i am always getting sprayed. both have their good things and their bad.

Thats not always true, my dad has a tiller and we go out on 4ft rollers and can stay dry. On the other hand, my grandpa has a console and gets soaked everytime in any waves taller then a foot. Width of your boat and if its a deep-v has alot to do with it too, and so does boat control.

[Chef]

Let's try no to get too general here--this guy wants experienced information vs. opinions.

A tiller gives you superior boat control and response when you're working spot-on-spot Walleye fishing applications. If this is your preferred style or your goal, then buy a tiller.

If you want the other legitimate "pros" of a Console style boat noted here, then buy a console and steering wheel boat.

[Rivernut]

I have a tiller, always have. Don't get wet in 3 footers. I do fish rivers and small lakes for the most part. My buddy has a wheel boat, and it is nice when traveling long distances. But it gets in the way at times. For trolling and especially backtrolling, I prefer my tiller. Matter of preference.

[IFallsRon]

I've fished with Roach. He runs a tiller better than most people can drive a car.

I like tiller if I'm serious fishing.

[Charley]

Chef-- Has nailed it. If you are serious walleye guy tiller is the way to go.

[Charley]

Ifallsron-- I was fishing on Mille Lacs a few years ago. I had to take phone call and while I was talking I looked up a saw a boat coming to me. I was the only one on the spot. It was a console when it got right to me I saw it was Gary Roach. I couldn't belive it. If I wasn't on the phone I would have asked why he was in a console.

[Brian H]

I have both a tiller and a console.

To me it's all about species and method of fishing. If I'm casting for Bass, Pike, Muskie doing some running and gunning I'm taking the console boat.

If I'm trolling, bobber fishing I take the tiller. If I have kids in the boat it also is the tiller. Tubes, ski's driving around the lake it's the console.

Before you decide tiller or console you need to ask yourself what and how you will use the boat. Once you answer that, the style of boat becomes crystal clear.

Don't let your best friend or a dealer tell you the style of boat you need. You are the one paying, know what you want and stick to your guns.

[beretta]

Thanks for the replies guys. So if I understand everyone right, I can basically say: If I want fishability, go with a tiller....if i wanna be a sally and stay dry/comfortable, get a console ? lol Thats basically what Im getting....correct me if Im wrong. Thanks again!

[BobT]

I had a tiller most of my life. I always hesitated with consoles because I felt they took up too much interior room until I found my rig. My Sylvan 1600 is 87" across the beam and with that width there's still plenty of roominess even with the console. One thing I like about the console above my former tiller is that my weight is distributed a little better, which improves handling and it's easier to see for operating. You're not sitting way in the back trying to see around and through your passengers and this adds a level of safety. Albeit a small difference unless you're not very tall. Notice, I didn't say short.

As already mentioned, if you're one that likes to troll, then I agree with a tiller. Far easier boat control for trolling with a tiller than with a console. Not saying it can't be done though. Throw a kicker on a console model and you've got the best of both worlds.

Bob

[Sandmannd]

I have a console and a good friend of mine has a tiller. There are advantages to both. I love my console, it's a single console so I still have plenty of room in my boat. His tiller is a longer boat and tillers do have a lot of room. It's all personal preference. I troll just fine with my console boat.

[rodmaker]

I'm a tiller guy. Always have been. Generaly speaking the tillers give you more fishing room, and are wide open. I assunme you fish Eyes alot???. It all depends on what types of fishing you do. (applications) family??? There is no right or wrong answer to this. Comes down to personal chioce

Glass vs fiberglass is another topic. Glass in general is a smoother quieter ride.

If you want glass in a tiller, give the YarCraft 1895 now 2095 storm a look. Or look at a Warrior.

If you want Aluminum, I had for 14 years a Alumacraft 1895 Compeditor tiller. Worked great on Mille lacs.

[Charley]

Rodmaker--- Back in 97 when I bought my boat the owner of Yar-craft had died and lot issues about things. So I went with Warrior.

[LMITOUT]

If you want glass in a tiller, give the YarCraft 1895 now 2095 storm a look. Or look at a Warrior.

Or a Ranger.

There isn't much out there if you're looking in the 16' to 17' length in the form of fiberglass. Most are 17'-6" and longer so that may limit you to Aluminum if you don't want anything that big.

I had a wheel boat before my current tiller and it seemed like I was always fighting the wind with the console wind whereas with the tiller I'm using it to my advantage. There is just no way to compare boat control in the wind between the two.....stick the rear end into the wind and just hover, or crab-walk down the shoreline using the transom trolling motor to correct speed and depth as the wind pushes you. Having a tiller opens up more opportunities for finesse style fishing I believe. Now that I'm running a tiller it's like I'm fishing my old lakes for the first time again, as I'm approaching them in a complete different manner and angle.

As mentioned above, during rain or cold weather you'll kinda wish you had something to hide behind, but that's a trade off for the fishability that a tiller offers. Both styles of boats have their place at different times, but I can say that I'm delighted with my first tiller.

[fishwater]

There isn't much out there if you're looking in the 16' to 17' length in the form of fiberglass. Most are 17'-6" and longer so that may limit you to Aluminum if you don't want anything that big.

Kinda going off topic here, but has anyone seen the new 14'8" warrior coming out this year? That is one sweet little glass rig. I believe they will be offering it as a tiller or console.

I've got a console boat setup with a tiller kicker. As BobT pointed out, it is a good way to go if you want the control while fishing, but don't want to be running a tiller across big water.

[rodmaker]

I have a 2003 1895 Storm and know of five others who have 2002-2004's. None of them have had any problems. Some guide on Mille lacs.

It came down to YarCraft , Warrior, which ever I could find first and in the best shape.

Warriors rock also..

YarCraft does also make a 17 ft tiller, (and maybe console also??) Very nice tiller set up.

[Charley]

LMITOUT--- Must have a Ranger.

[rodmaker]

The rangers are nice, I looked at them, but my YarCraft has more fishing room (floor space) than the Rangers.

Again it's a personal choice. If you buy Ranger, YarCraft, Warrior you won't be disappointed for a Walleye Rig

[Charley]

All I know is you can get good deals right now.