Bigger tiller rigs. What should I look for/at?

I’m thinking about upgrading my tin can to a bigger tiller rig. I’m thinking of something between 16.5 and 17.5 feet, 50-90 HP.

Two questions:

1. Any advice and issues that owners would advise me about when it comes to buying a tiller rig of this size? General concerns, “wish I’d known” stuff, etc.

2. I’ll be going to go with something used because obviously cost IS an issue. I’m looking at spending <$12,000.

Weight is also a factor. I like the looks of some of the fiberglass rigs, but the weight is big turnoff. I have a big fiberglass pleasure boat and I just don’t think I want to deal with a fishing boat that trips the scales at that kind of poundage.

I’ve looked at Lund Pro V and the Alumacraft Magnum and I like both of these models for different reasons. I don’t want to limit my options just because these are the only brands I’ve owned, so are there other aluminum rigs I should consider in this size and price?

For example, anyone have any experience with the Crestliners and Starcrafts in this category?

I’m open to any advice and “be sure you look at” types of comments. I won’t be buying now, I might get the green light from Her Budgetary Comptrollerness sometime in the late summer, but in the meantime I thought I’d best figure out what I want.

Grouse

So what, where and how do you fish? Need to find a boat that fits what you like to do with it. My navigator is a great boat for what I like to do. Plenty of room for pitching and netting fish in the back end. Plenty of rod storage and can hold long rods. Top end is fast enough to get around but the 75hp motor is still small enough to troll with it. No need for a kicker. Now if I fish mille lacs or some other big water my boat would be gone in a heart beat.

Mike, there’s no really specific answer to what/where/how. I fish almost everything from panfish, to bass, to walleye. I’m not really a Mille Lacs guy so much, but basically anywhere with a boat launch is fair game for me.

As far as the balance of fishing, I’d say 75% of my time is spent on smallmouth.

My logic in a tiller rig is mostly because I love the wide open space. I’ve got two boys who will be starting to fish soon, so the ability to move around and also to move seats around to configure the boat in different ways is something I like. Also, when casting from the front deck, I don’t like having a windshield in my way.

It’s nice to be able to handle bigger water, but the main reason for a bigger tiller rig for me is more about comfort, space, and of course on the rivers you have heavy cruiser traffic to deal with so the deep V does come in handy.

I figured in this class of boat, something around a 60-75 HP would be fine as far as giving me enough speed. Most rigs are set up for backtrolling with wave wackers, but I have a kicker motor so maybe I rig that or maybe I don’t.

Grouse

I agree with Mike, you need to determine what types of water you plan on fishing. I have a 1991 1775 Crestliner Viking with a 75 HP Mercury tiller. I bought this boat new in the fall of 1991. I had been on Leech Lake the week before with my 16′ Lund and had the living *#@! scared out of me with unexpected big waves. I watched a Crestliner like the one I bought just slicing through the waves while the Lunds of that era pounded hard.

I use my 1775 on the river, small lakes and many times on Leech and Mille Lacs. I would suggest you go with at least a 17′ if you ever plan to fish bigger water. Lake Pepin would definetly qualify as big water with north or south winds.

Most of the new aluminum tiller boats have a shorter cockpit depth these days to accomodate trolling. Tournament anglers requested this years ago. I like one with plenty of depth for kids safety and drunken buddies. Never had anyone fall out yet!

I believe most manufacturers build great boats these days and it comes down to depth, width, convenience of storage areas, bait wells, live wells, etc. I would suggest shopping around and really looking at all the attributes of each model before buying to make sure you meet your long term needs.

My plans when I bought my boat was to get a new one every five years! Never factored in the cost of kids, college, weddings, etc.

Quote:

---

What should I look for/at?

---

A really, really, really good rainsuit! Or better than good, best you can afford.

-J.

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

What should I look for/at?

---

A really, really, really good rainsuit! Or better than good, best you can afford.

-J.

---

Ah, don’t listen to talk like that. Tiller rigs are where its at for guys that wanna catch fish and ain’t worried about taking a boat ride. You will get wet though in bigger waves. I like to have my buddy sit in teh seat next to me, then he takes most the water/spray on.

I would suggest something in the 17-18′ range. Make darn sure the motor is maxed out on it. If it is not, it will be a dog for ya. I have 175 Alumacraft TP/90hp and I love it. Width is much better on a tin boat than glass also in most cases. You probably are not gonna want to put on a kicker either. You should be able to troll down with the main motor and adding more weight in the back of the boat where you sit with make your front light and will sway in the wind making it harder to control.

Quote:

---

Ah, don’t listen to talk like that.

---

…..he asked.

-J.

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

What should I look for/at?

---

A really, really, really good rainsuit! Or better than good, best you can afford.

-J.

---

At some point, you may find that your fishing career will be hampered by your crippling fear of water.

What are you fishing out of? A hard topped Trophy with an Alaska bulkhead? An adequate trolling rig, but the ability to hammer bankside cover by casting spinnerbaits through the open window will have some limitations . . .

Grouse

I went from a 1775 prov tiller to a 620vs with a 15hp kicker.The first day I had it on the water I knew I should have kept the tiller. I now run a 20ft tiller and love it.For fishability for 1-3 people the 1775 is tuff to beat. I had a 75hp on it. You should be able to find something in your price range.

Quote:

---

I went from a 1775 prov tiller to a 620vs with a 15hp kicker.The first day I had it on the water I knew I should have kept the tiller. I now run a 20ft tiller and love it.For fishability for 1-3 people the 1775 is tuff to beat. I had a 75hp on it. You should be able to find something in your price range.

---

Just curious, what was your top speed with the 75 HP on the 1775 Pro V?

Grouse

Quote:

---

What are you fishing out of?

---

Ranger 618VS. No fear of water. Many years running tillers. I will never go back to an aluminum tiller for a lot of reasons. Wet ride is top of the list. Glass tiller? Maybe.

-J.

I fish out of a 1660 pro v and really like it. Not as much beam as some other tiller boats but it fishes 1-3 very well. I spend most my time on pepin/pool 4. I myself wouldnt call a 16′ a “large” tiller, but bigger than what your fishing from what i can tell…. Alot of guys like the fiberglass tiller rigs, i like the ride they have and their looks, but i dont like their maneuverability compared to aluminum….just my two cents

I run a 02′ 165 Mag. I really hate the livewell on the side. There is no way I can keep it full of water without it listing really bad. I call it the “dead box” as I keep minimal water in it. I am thinking of making a Drain pipe so I can circulate water to keep fish alive when needed with out filling completely.

Rod storage is limited too.

Every one will have a different opinion so he is mine.

I purchased a 16 foot Crestliner with a 60hp tiller and have been quite pleased with it. Top speed is in the low 30’s mph. The 60 hp fourstroke will idle down for most crankbaits and I throw out a drift sock if I need to go slower. I run a 55lb bow electric with the 18 remote cable foot pedal. That way I can run it from upfront when casting to structure or run from the tiller seat when slow trolling or drifting. I fish two or three guys comfortably. Casting for Muskies makes it a two man boat. Given your budget, I think you are right on in what you are looking for.

Most times you will find the cockpit layout will be just a bit different between boats. Sit in the boat a spell and try to visualize if it works for you if it does great. In a used boat check the condition of the vinyl seats and cushions, yes they can be replaced, but if they are in good shape the rest of the boat was probably well cared for also.

Good luck in your search.

I ran 38 by my self 34-35 with two people,that was a 2 stroke.I would look for a 4 stroke now. No smoke.

I’ve been down this road before….I seriously wouldn’t rule out a glass tiller because of weight. its really nice to have a glass boat sit in the water and not having the nose blow around in circles making you dizzy. This alone is worth it to me. Wet ride vs dry ride no comparison. Smoother ride in rougher water vs getting beat to death no comparison..(even though it would only be a 30-35mph rig it still makes a difference). As for trolling put a electric transom trolling motor on and troll forward. Best thing I ever did. I use my 60hp and then deploy my electric in reverse if needed to slow down. It’s a infinite speed/control system. Of course this is just my $.02

Late model crestliner fishawk in the 1650 or 1750 range might be to your liking. I have a s/c. You get wet but they are wide and low. Tiller would have lots o room

I would look at a Lund pro angler you should be about to find a nice one with a 75 horse in that price range. My dad has an 05 and I love fishing out of it.

I have a 1800 pro v with a yammi 90 runs great big enough for rough water but small enough for any lake. Tops put at 34. Not bad. Love the room tiller boats have.

just seen this on craigslist the other day.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/boa/2957994343.html

looks like a nice tiller rig, and i know i loved my alumacraft i had.

plus with that 90, it should scoot along good.

Thats not a bad looking rig. With a tiller you want a very user friendly tiller motor. My 75 Yamaha beats the Etech it came with hands down. Shift lever located closer to the end of the tiller arm than the motor. Tilt and trim on the end of the tiller arm. Easy to hit with my thumb while under way. VTS trolling buttons for dialing RPMs up or down when needed. A must have for trollers. Think Merc has some of these features to but not sure about other motors. After trolling with a Yamaha motor I quickly realized how much the Etech wore me down trying to stay on top of the minor adjustments needed. Not good when those minor details meant catching fish or not.

Backtrollerboats.com

I am not kidding –

I know this guy and he makes a GREAT boat – saw it at the boat show and the Sportsman Show.

Very well thought out boat for the tiller man

Dog

Quote:

---

Backtrollerboats.com

I am not kidding –

I know this guy and he makes a GREAT boat – saw it at the boat show and the Sportsman Show.

Very well thought out boat for the tiller man

Dog

---

I wonder how this is going to work with Warrior building boats in Melrose, and using the same fiberglass manufacture to do the molds.

Quote:

---

I’ve been down this road before….I seriously wouldn’t rule out a glass tiller because of weight. its really nice to have a glass boat sit in the water and not having the nose blow around in circles making you dizzy. This alone is worth it to me. Wet ride vs dry ride no comparison. Smoother ride in rougher water vs getting beat to death no comparison..(even though it would only be a 30-35mph rig it still makes a difference). As for trolling put a electric transom trolling motor on and troll forward. Best thing I ever did. I use my 60hp and then deploy my electric in reverse if needed to slow down. It’s a infinite speed/control system. Of course this is just my $.02

---

This is a good one. I don’t think the weight is going to be too much different between comparable sized glass or aluminum boats. Having the nose of the boat down is a big thing and an advantage to a glass boat if you buy the right one.

Quote:

---

just seen this on craigslist the other day.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/boa/2957994343.html

looks like a nice tiller rig, and i know i loved my alumacraft i had.

plus with that 90, it should scoot along good.

---

I’ve seen that rig on CL.

What makes me suspicious is that it’s been listed off/on for at least a year now. Same boat, same pics. It just makes me wonder if he’s got guys looking at it and they’re all backing away. . .

Those Backtroller boats are interesting. I like the utilitarian setup, certainly designed by somebody who knew saltwater rigs and how to design for low maintainance and fishability. Finding one in my budget isn’t going to be realistic, though. Something to watch for my next-next upgrade, maybe.

I’m still not sold on fiberglass overall, however. From the specs I’ve looked at online, for similar spec as far as length, beam, and depth, fiberglass is 250 to 500 pounds heavier in dry weight. To me, my friends, that is significant both in the water and on the trailer.

Grouse

Glass tiller for me – I have an older 1890 Warrior tiller with 90 Merc. Smooth–not always dry in wind and waves–and weight is not an issue. In fact, the weight does help in wind. 35 mph gps speed. (2)Livewells and (1) baitwell. Rod storage galore.

There are some used Warriors that pop up every so often in your price range.

Have you done a demo in a glass tiller? It might be worth your time. I am on the river and Pepin 2 to 3 times a week. Pm me if you want to run my boat around. Maybe we could even fish!

There are nice used glass boats out there in your price–Yarcraft, Ranger, Warrior, etc.

Happy searching!

I just sold my 1650 Fishhawk and bought a 618vs Ranger tiller. there is no comparison. Glass boats fish better..hands down.

That being said….I loved my fishhawk.

#1 thing when buying a Alum. Tiller is get a fourstroke!!! Backtrolling with a smokey 2 stroke is not my idea of fun.

Good luck in finding your fishing machine!

It seems the focus on these conversations related to backtrollnig and assume for standard walleye fishing.

Does anyone use 18’+ tillers for bass fishing and more specifically, bass tournament fishing? Bass boats generally arent family friendly boats whereas the tillers offer room for the youngun’s to move around.

Quote:

---

It seems the focus on these conversations related to backtrollnig and assume for standard walleye fishing.

Does anyone use 18’+ tillers for bass fishing and more specifically, bass tournament fishing? Bass boats generally arent family friendly boats whereas the tillers offer room for the youngun’s to move around.

---

Good question. Especially since I’ll be doing far more bass and panfish, than I will wallleye. So over to you guys out there that use a tiller rig for something other than backtrolling for walleye.

Since the question is bound to come up, I’ll answer it now: If I do so much bass fishing, why not get a bass boat?

Bottom line is that as I mentioned, I have kids and do a variety of fishing on a variety of waters. Bass rigs are one trick ponies in my view. Very good at one thing and next to useless for anything other than that one thing. Fishing panfish with a 3 year old from a bass boat? Only bad [censored] would happen. Bass boat on Canadian walleye-o-rama trip? Only bad . . . you get the idea.

Grouse

Look at the Lund 1825 ProGuide tiller. It has a large casting deck up front and wide open in the rear. I was “this” close to buying one.