I noticed over about the past 5 years boat manufacturers phased out 16 foot fiberglass tillers, i.e. Yarcraft, Warrior, Tuffy. Everything got bigger. Now after a long recession I’m wondering if those boats and lower price point, easier on gas, etc make a come back. I heard Larson is close to adding a new 16 foot tiller.
Anyone think there’s a market for this type of boat again and know of any manufacturers coming out with something in the near future?
I don’t think they are coming back.
16 footers are pretty small. I have sat in both the new Ranger 175T (17.7 ft) and Tuffy X170 (17.0 ft) and would not want to go any smaller.
Both nice boats by the way!
-J.
Even with the wide open floor of my 1890bt, having one other person aboard is the comfort level I enjoy. Two others is doable, but with a 16′, one extra is almost cozy.
jerr
I think we’re all spoiled a bit. There’s plenty of room in a 16 foot boat for two people. We fished 4 out of my uncles 16 console at Kab lindy rigging just fine. I have a 1775 Mr. Pike myself and consider myself blessed. Meaning I would still be happy with a 16.
Quote:
I don’t think they are coming back.
Do you mean 16 foot tillers in general or Larson specifically?
Quote:
I think we’re all spoiled a bit. There’s plenty of room in a 16 foot boat for two people. We fished 4 out of my uncles 16 console at Kab lindy rigging just fine. I have a 1775 Mr. Pike myself and consider myself blessed. Meaning I would still be happy with a 16.
I grew up fishing Lk Minnetonka in a 12′ boat and caught plenty of Bass and panfish out of it; it even fished well with 2 of us as kids; although a few times we did take in water from a Tuna boat or two…I can even remember when my dad let us use grampas old 5 1/2 johnson on it instead of oaring.
I can then remember my first 14′ Lund how happy I was and how roomy and steardy it felt. Sure caught alot of fish out of it too.
I now have upsized to a 16′ Lund Al. boat and it really feels more roomy and I can even walk around it. I am a pretty big guy and often fish with 3 people and it fishes fine for me; also tows nice, lightweight, and stores easily in my garage.
I geuss everything is relative and we have to adjust to the new normal which is bigger than 16′ for most folks.
My favorite fishing trip to date was with four guys fishing out of a 12′ car topper boat. I was about ten and my Grandpa, Dad and one of my uncles were in the boat. I smile every time I think about it. 
That being said, I have a 1825 pro guide now and would never be interested in a smaller boat.
I do miss running the skinny water that I could when I had a ranger 1600V with a 50 yamaha pro tiller. Ran everything from skinny rivers to rollers on the pond. But now run a 20′ skeeter and haven’t looked back!
Quote:
I do miss running the skinny water that I could when I had a ranger 1600V with a 50 yamaha pro tiller. Ran everything from skinny rivers to rollers on the pond. But now run a 20′ skeeter and haven’t looked back!
I was raised fishing out of a 14 foot tiller with a 25HP ,now I run a 620 with a 225,I also have a 16 ft lund 40 tiller. love both boats but if I had to choose I’d take the 620. Times they are a changing!
I’ve got a 16′ Tuffy tiller v-hull that I love and have no problem at all fishing 3, plus gear, in all kinds of waters and conditions. I for one, strongly believe that there’s a market for 16′ Tillers. Especially, since they’d be a little easier on the pocketbook for those that simply can’t afford the bigger boats. ALUMACRAFT has several nice 16′ Tiller models to choose from.
Like others have stated. Boat prices are out of control these days. When an “entry level” boat from lund is around 15k naked and 20k rigged. I am not sure how a young family man can get into his first new rig with those prices. A 16′ glass tiller may have a home in the market.
I have Pro V 1775 tiller and it’s tight when there’s more than one other person aboard. However,when slow trolling with my bowmount/ipilot,it is a joy to be a ble to walk around stretch out,etc. I can still “lose” my remote,or my coffee cup…sunglasses
This fall I bought a 12′ jonboat for accessing a “water access only” public hunting spot. Put a 6hp Mariner on it,and with a hydrofoil it gets up on plane like right now – even with a tote full of clothes,a tree stand and my bow. And me….I feel like a kid skateboarding down a big hill when I’m running that skinny little river up to the hunting area. It’s fun.
I think there is a big market for 16′ tillers, just not fiberglass 16′ tillers. If price is the biggest concern, I wouldn’t think fiberglass is very high on the list of priorities.
Quote:
I think there is a big market for 16′ tillers, just not fiberglass 16′ tillers. If price is the biggest concern, I wouldn’t think fiberglass is very high on the list of priorities.
X2 – If there were a market for them, they would be built! YarCraft’s last attempt bombed. Nice little boat but I don’t think anyone bought one.
-J.
Quote:
Like others have stated. Boat prices are out of control these days. When an “entry level” boat from lund is around 15k naked and 20k rigged. I am not sure how a young family man can get into his first new rig with those prices. A 16′ glass tiller may have a home in the market.
Excellent point Wade!
I downsized from a 2001 1850DC C-liner to a 1750SC in 2003.
The single console was easier for guiding 2 clients. A big tiller is pretty appealing…depending on the size of the body of water.
I always had small boats and my next boat will be small. My father has a 19′ Skeeter that I fish out of a fair amount.
I prefer the Skeeter when traveling across the lake.
I prefer a small boat when fishing.
Also, there is nothing funner than seeing big $30-50k boats run all over chasing fish and being on a good bite in a little tin can.
Actually Warrior still makes a glass boat like your talking about. The model is a V1475 BT . It`s 14`9″ long 75″ Beam 20 ” Transom and a 25 gallon live well built in. It is actually a pretty nice layout with a keel that Warriors are known for. Im guessing by looking at it the boat would out perform most 16 ft aluminum rigs.
Did not see that boat on the Warrior website. Is there really a market for that boat? Has Warrior sold any?
-J.
Jon, you said you sat in the Tuffy x-170. What did you think? It seems fine to me until bigger waves/water. Only 72 inches wide and low sides. Can’t imagine being on Mille Lacs with that.
I hear the Larson will be 88 inches wide and a higher freeboard than the Tuffy but not so high you can’t flip fish in the boat.
It is not on the web page yet but it will be coming after they get one built. This boat was not on the priority list for the new owners but they have all the tooling for it from before and it sounds like they will be building one soon, I have a feeling my kids gonna want one for his first boat 
Quote:
Jon, you said you sat in the Tuffy x-170. What did you think? It seems fine to me until bigger waves/water. Only 72 inches wide and low sides. Can’t imagine being on Mille Lacs with that.
I hear the Larson will be 88 inches wide and a higher freeboard than the Tuffy but not so high you can’t flip fish in the boat.
.
I always chuckle at comments like this. I wonder how our fathers and grandfathers ever caught a fish in their 1950s 14′ crestliner with a 9.9 merc on the back.
Quote:
Quote:
Jon, you said you sat in the Tuffy x-170. What did you think? It seems fine to me until bigger waves/water. Only 72 inches wide and low sides. Can’t imagine being on Mille Lacs with that.
I hear the Larson will be 88 inches wide and a higher freeboard than the Tuffy but not so high you can’t flip fish in the boat.
.
I always chuckle at comments like this. I wonder how our fathers and grandfathers ever caught a fish in their 1950s 14′ crestliner with a 9.9 merc on the back.
I think they stayed off the big pond when it was windy. 
What’s the price point on the Warrior 14 tiller?
Some of use still only own a 14fter with a 9.9hp and Yes we stay off the big ponds. 
http://www.backtrollerboats.com
Filling the void!!!!! 
I also really like the new Backtroller boat. If they made a 16 footer I’d be very interested. Anyone know if the 17.5 footer will be the only size they make?
In the meantime I’ll wait to see what Larson comes out with in a 16.
It is a 17.5 foot boat the fishes much smaller…
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
