Looking at older used 16′ (35-50hp) flat floor open boats with pedestal seating for this summer. A lot of older consoles and tiller units for sale out there. Having never owned a fishing boat like this, thought I’d ask the gang what some of the pros and cons are between tiller/console layouts, ease of use, etc. One concern is where to place the cooler… 
Thanks
Pete
I love the tiller. I have more room then console. The only wish I looking at a windshield boat for cold weather and long runs. For the size of boat you are lookling at I would not even consider a console. I run a 18ft pro V with 90 hp tiller. 
If you are going to do some trolling I would go with the tiller. They are a lot easier to handle. Plus the bonus of not having the console is more room for a larger cooler. 
It all depends on what you want to use the boat for.
More room!
I had a 17′ Lund Explorer tiller. Two people fishing out of it was enough, I couldn’t imagine having the console in the way.
I’ll have to give another vote to the tiller. Tillers give you a lot more space, especially with the size boat you are wanting. They are easier to control and you don’t have to move when you get to your spot. Grab a rod and you’re set! You will stay dryer in a console, but that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to take. Get yourself a good rain suit and you will stay dry for the most part.
Tiller PRO: More room for people, floor space, storage.
Tiller CON: COLD and WET ride.
Counsel PRO: Warm and comfortable ride in bad weather.
Counsel CON: Loss or needed space.
I’ve used both my boat and a buddies in the last few days. I have a 19′ with a walk thru windshield. I love it especially in poor weather. Using his boat, the last few days. HOLY COW is that cold running up and down the river. With that being said, a 20′ tiller has a mind boggling amount of space and storage.
I went from a Lund Rebel w/ 40 hp tiller to a Lund Renegade w/ 70 hp single console…. my first ever console boat. Both were 16 ft.
I am still a console guy, but as I age I now prefer the walk thru. What you sacrifice with a console in space, you make up for in:
Drier ride
Extra Cooler Storage Space under the console
A wind shield on those cold mornings
No more sore left shoulder
More comfortable drive on long hauls.
It truly does depend on your style.
A tiller is unmatched in boat control and lighter weight.
Good luck in deciding! A new boat is always a winner!
My first boat was a tiller, my second was a single console, and my current boat is a full windshield. What I’ve learned is that, if you fish a lot early and late in the year, the full windshield is a lot more comfortable for both me and any passengers. A tiller and single console both have more room. I found it much harder to see when driving my tiller boat. A single console was fine for me, but my passengers were always cold. My current boat is a warm ride, and still has enough room to fish three guys comfortably, and four if vertical jigging.
I just spent a week on pool 4, and with the amount of debris floating down river the last few days, I would have hated having a tiller boat.
In that size range I would go with a tiller. Perfect world…a guy needs 2 or more boats!!!
Quote:
In that size range I would go with a tiller. Perfect world…a guy needs 2 or more boats!!!
Just two???????????
1. canoe
2. 14′ duck boat
3. 20′ big water fishing boat
4. Cabin Cruiser
5. Pontoon
6. Center counsel saltwater rig
7. Maybe even a 26’+ Great Lakes troller.
I’m sure I’m missing one or two.
I love tiller boats–more control and more room–I had a console boat–was ok for pulling kids behind boat and all that–but for room-control Id take a tiller anytime!!
Quote:
I love tiller boats–more control and more room–I had a console boat–was ok for pulling kids behind boat and all that–but for room-control Id take a tiller anytime!!
I would like to agree with that. I got schooled on Friday by a guy in a 16′ Lund. He put on a boat control seminar while I fought the wind and current.
With that being said, I doubt I’ll ever get rid of my walk thru. I’m a fan of being warm and comfortable.
If you’ve got an 18+ footer, I think a console would be good, but the line of say, Lund Explorers, Alumcraft Classics, etc. are best in a tiller form. They will fish 3 nicely and are much more roamie. Once you get them on plane, I’ve never really had an issue with getting wet. My buddy has a 16.5 foot Alumacraft Classic with a console and I don’t like it nearly as much as my other buddy’s 165 Magnum Tiller. My 2 cents. Good luck!
Either way you decide to go I would try and find one that is a little newer. The extra width on the newer boats makes a tremendous difference especially when talking 16 foot. You can buy a realativly new boat and put an older engine on it to have a lot of aditional room at reasonable cost..
Good L:uck and have fun searching.
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