Tiller Boats

I have driven 19’ wheeled boat (Crestliner) for the past 12 seasons. I am starting to seriously look at new tiller boats. My reason for a tiller is pretty straight forward – I am getting older, 90% of the time I am fishing alone and think there is a benefit to being able to stay put in the boat and not moving around too much. I have settled on either a Lund Pro Guide or a Crestliner Pro Tiller. I had originally thought I needed an 18 foot boat but I am now thinking maybe the 17 would be better (easier to handle by myself). I would welcome opinions on the pros and cons of both boats and also 18’ vs 17’.

Thanks. Dan M

Me personally, I just don’t like them. I like having a windshield to duck under, which also allows a bimini top for crummy weather.

I recently made the switch to a tiller boat this year after running a wheel boat my entire life. After 6 months of running a tiller, I can confidently say that I don’t think I will be moving back to a wheel boat for quite some time.

The most important thing for me about running a tiller is the fishability and the amount of control they offer. With a tiller, I can hold on an active school of fish all day long, regardless of weather conditions, which to me is very important. Granted I don’t have a windshield to hide behind anymore, but that’s what raingear is for.

I also found that I can fish effectively right from my seat. No need to stand for long periods of time anymore and wear yourself out.

If you’re looking at an aluminum tiller in the 17 foot range, I would suggest the Lund 1675/1725 Pro-Guide. These boats are layed out really nice and have tons of storage as well.

Tillers definetely can give you better boat control in some cases, but they also definetely can 1,
Get you alot wetter being as you are sitting in the back. 2, They can offer a much more uncomfertable ride in rough conditions (center of boat is the place to be in large but kicking waves),
and 3, you can also easily lose control and lose grip on tiller handle. Please always use safty teather, if electing to go this way.
There is alot of advantages to tillers and almost becomes ones personal preference.
If I was to go back though, it would be glass. Simply a smoother more stable ride.

Happy shopping!

I have a 1700 explorer and love it. It is plenty big, if you fish alone most of the time I wouldnt see the need to go any bigger (even with 1 or 2 extra people). With the wide open floor plans it fishes alot bigger then wheeled boats.

Pros – More room in the boat, less weight in the boat, trolling is easier.

Cons – Going to get wet if it is windy, less visibility in front of you until the boat nose comes down.

I’ve got a 16-foot Crestliner tiller and I love it. Mostly cuz I was influenced by my Dad who’s a tiller man and insists that all that “extra” stuff in the boat (like a wheel) gets in the way of fishing. Heh, heh. The points about getting wet are definitely true. In bigger waves etc., you get wetter in a tiller. And if it’s a big tiller, then can be a little harder to load/unload by yourself. Get a bunk trailer if possible. Mine is rollers and it’s a pain, though the boat is light enough I can maneuver it prety easy out of the water. My Dad bought a 2007 Lund 20-foot tiller a couple years ago (2010 pro guide) and it’s a beautiful boat to fish out of. I used it last month in N.D. on Sakakawea and it was awesome. It is bigger, though, so a little tougher for one guy to load/unload, but not bad. I think the choices you’ve mentioned would work fine. I’ve seen those on the river (mississippi) where I fish, and they sure look nice. I saw an elderly gentleman load a 1675 Lund tiller by himself the other day with no problem at all. slid on super easy it appeared. Sorta depends where you’re fishing and in what conditions. Good luck.

I got a 17′ Alumacraft tiller and love it, Justin pretty much summed a tillers fishability up but he did leave out the immediate response of trolling and turning. If your making the swith and want aluminum go Alumacraft or Lund

I forgot to add…one thing – and maybe you already know this – is the newer boats (tiller or otherwise) are wider than stuff from about 10 years ago. My tiller is a 2001 and while I like it, my Dad’s 2007 is a lot wider and more stable. And more room to fish/move around. So if you end up buying used, I’d also consider boat width. Also…if you go with a tiller, aluminum is a decent choice. I had an old Tuffy tiller and while it was great to fish out of it – like all glass boats – weighed a ton, making loading/unloading challenging at times if you were by yourself.

I was in the same position as you describe. I had wheel boats for 18+ years and was thinking of making the move to tillers. What I didn’t want to do was spend a pile of dough on a new one and then find out I hated it. I bought a used 1990 fiberglass boat to get the feel of a tiller. It was cheap but did what I wanted it to do. I ran that boat for a year and decided that I liked it. I traded in the 2 stroke motor and hung a new Yamaha 4 stroke on it a year later. The following year I re-did the whole interior, floors, carpet, all of it. This year I hung a new Hummingbird down scan on it. Next year I will put a new trailer under it.

Long story short, make sure you like tillers before you dump your present boat. No sense adding remorse to the equation.

Tiller works for me at my age (57) I would never have considered one when I was 40.

I went to a tiller this spring for reasons you listed. I got in every boat out there and ended up with a G3 17V177Guide I felt it was better built and better priced.

tiller and if you are fishing bigger waters I would consider staying at the 18′ which mine is (1775) you should be just fine if you are loading/unloading. If you are fishing smaller water or the river predominately, then I would consider the 17′ to make handling a bit easier… The bigger the boat, I might consider rollers, the smaller then I would use rollers, the bigger… bunks.

Mark

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Me personally, I just don’t like them. I like having a windshield to duck under, which also allows a bimini top for crummy weather.

Wade

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I still wouldn’t go tiller, my only regret is that I never went center console. I bought a walk thru windshield boat this year, and then had the opportunity to fish a center console boat.

Kinda wishing I’d have gone center console.

Wade

I question the change to a tiller from time to time, my current ride is a 621 Ranger. Its all about trade offs.
Tiller more control, wheel boat more speed-dryer ride-With the new Ipilot you give up less control. Good luck on your next purchase!

I went from a 16′ side console wheel boat to an 18′ tiller. First things first, tiller is better for me and I am not going back. Second, I thought the Lund was the best value of the boats I looked at (imho). I like the electronics console and the massive amounts of storage. It is easy to load and unload, I have a bunk tralier and am never going back to rollers. Plenty of power with a 90 and easy on fuel. My only regret is that it has taken the fun out of looking at boats, as I don’t really think anything is missing from this one. Good luck!

1725 Pro Guide Tiller will be perfect boat for you.

I have a 17 foot Lund Pro Sport its a 2009 and I simply love it. It has the full windshield and deep sides and wide gunales. I think 18 ft’ will be best for you.

I would suggest you to visit Pontoon Boat Guide for more information and specification of Tiller boats.

I just bought a 13 Lund Pro Guide 1825 and I am in love. My choice was between the Pro Guide and the Alumacraft Competitor. I chose the Lund and I am so glad I did. Don;t even think about getting the 17′, you loose a foot of boat and 25hp for $1500-not worth it. Go check one out, you will be hooked just like I was.