Center Console vs Front Steer

[Smelly]

Hi Team!

I understand this next question may well be personal choice but I am interested in any thoughts discussing the Pros and Cons of center console vs Front steer on a smallish boat of 4.55 m in length?

Regards

[NeilD]

Depends on what you are using it for.

[sid_fishes]

me , i like the centre console if the layout is right you get a lot more fishing room, not with a bimini but a t top so u can attach clears front and sides if the weather turns pear shaped
cheers ian

[joeT]

I have this same dilemma as I am deciding whether to get a centre console 5m or front steer. I think I concluded I will go for the front steer - not so good for fishing from but you don't get wet. I like to fish at night and in winter and it gets bloody cold without some forward protection, with a full canopy and clears you get protection from wind, rain, spray etc. Which will mean I will be willing to go fishing more. Personal preference, but I'd rather go out fishing more in a less than ideal platform than fish less often from an ideal platform. Anyway, its not that bad as long as I'm fishing.

Best solution is some kind of centre cuddy, but the boat will then need to be big and way out of my price range...

[Smelly]

Thanks Sid and Joe and Horse.

Horse - I want to fish for snapper in Port Phillip Bay (Melbourne) - no more than 15knt winds.

Mostly at night, dusk and dawn.

Sid, what don't you like about center console?

Joe, besides less fishing room, what else don't you like about forward steer?

What about side console guys?

Also, what about actual boat travel - over chop - which position is better for planning and a more comfortable ride?

Smelly

[Leo_N.]

Centrre console is by far the most comfortable for the ride. The front of the boat is the bit that slaps, so is the least desirable place to sit. You really noticed this on my old 4.3 m tiller steer tinny...my passengers were always keen to come down the back where is was more comfortable.

Standing up at the console you also get a better view than sitting down. Side consoles are good for creek fishing for the layout, but tend to unbalance the boat, so you need to reposition everything around your own weight....probably not as much of a problem for the lighter folk out there.

[DR]

I find CCs are better for fishing out of if you get big fish that like to do laps around the boat,you just wander around the console follwing the fish. aslo easier for throwing lures on the drift ( for those of us without electric motors ) your not constantly trying to reposition the boat, once again wander to the point which is closest to where you want cast.
can be uncomfortable in the rain, but that is why we have wet weather gear..

[Smelly]

Thanks - much appreciated! ;D

[Jeremy]

agree with what has already been said. Main advantages of the centre console are for following a large fish which is circling the boat and for lure casting with one up front and one back. For floatlining for snapper out the back of an anchored boat, there is no advantage whatsoever IMHO.

Jeremy

[Smelly]

Great points!

Leo, a forward steer can also lead you stand up at the front.

Is the ride better standing at front or in center?

Thanks

[toymod]

I have had both cc and runabout (current) I prefer the runabout style as you have more protection. With the bimini on, andside curtains etc I have never been burnt and it keeps you away from wind and rain (makes the boss happy ;D).

If its going to be a dedicated fishing boat a cc is the way to go, however if you are going to use it for a bit of fishing and pleasure I would go the forward steer (with window etc).

You will get what I think more enjoyment when you get home dry and not sunburnt and I think it is a more pleasurable set up for a "family outing".

Food for thought

[cooky]

Great points!

Leo, a forward steer can also lead you stand up at the front.

Is the ride better standing at front or in center?



Because your motor is essentially your pivot point, the closer you can get to it or the stern of your boat (the back) the better the ride is. Therefore a centre console is a better ride standing up. Unless the centre console is close to the front of the boat. If calm water fishing a lot, then the forward console at 5m would be the go. Even bay / offshore the 5m would be better as long as you can stand up. I have a 5.4m glass and I hardly ever sit down. I just can't get the ride smooth enough (too much speed) unless it's flat like a lake.

[BladeRunner]

CC are great except when the weather gets a bit rough make shore you have a rain coat to cop spray over the side. They are a very wet boat.

No Sea To Rough No Fish To Tough [smiley=vrolijk_1.gif]

BladeRunner [smiley=bandana.gif]

[sid_fishes]

the thing i dont like about cc,s is the fact that most are only narrow where as some boat builders are looking outside that area, col from fisher, offer the choice of two sizes or you can modify to your taste[and i,m not saying others dont do it ok] but i like the idea of me and my better half being protected and the rest of the crew for that fact by having clears attach to the t,top and a bigger console giving you more area to house electronics, safety gear and all sorts of other stuff we all seem to want at hand . my brotherinlaw has a runabout style of boat and he spends all his time on his feet to drive /see whats going . if i wanted to be banged around i would still own my race / ski boat
but thats me cheers guys ian

[Smelly]

BladeRunner, do u have a CC?

Would you lose much fishing space in a CC in a 4.55m?

Smelly

[bushbeachboy]

Smelly,
I have a cc on a glass boat. The cc is a good size and has the framing for a t-top around and attached to it. I had a clear made up that fits to the front and sides of the console with press studs, and I keep dry without wet weather gear. Of course the passengers need their rain coats... ;D

[Smelly]

Thanks BB.

What size is your boat and do you suffer from compromised beam andpassenger/gear space?

Smelly

[bushbeachboy]

Smelly,
Being a longboat it is inherently narrow. Mine is 6m long x 1.9m wide. There is plenty of room to move around, and more storage than you could poke a stick at. Things like underfloor fuel tanks help add to storage space. The t-top has a radio box built in so that the radios are up and out of the way. The console has tackle boxes built in to each side with slide-out trays. Plenty of storage all built in to the boat. When fishing, the only things on the deck are the eskies, people and occasional fish. The boat also handles the sea well, and I've had it out in some weather I shouldn't have with no problems. Having said that, I wouldn't even consider it for PPB. It's too open, and you'd freeze your bit and pieces off. ;D

[BladeRunner]

Smelly
My CC is a 4,95m Clark abalone has very high sides so the crocs can’t get at you, we removed the back seat added extra buoyancy foam .Asked the manufacture of Clark boats first before we removed the seat in case it upset the boats performance. No worries they said as long as we added two more ribs to support where the seat was on port & starboard side .

To answer your question most definitely not . NO gave more space to fish 3 people easily
You can go just as far as the bigger boats and still fish up the creeks.

Pm your email address for home and I can send you some pictures there over the size limit to post here .

Regards
BladeRunner

[DaveSue_Fishos_Two]

Why not just sit at the tiller and have a hard top about 2metres above you? You don't lose any room at all, you are sitting down, and you are in the position to enjoy the best possible ride. I love the tiller steer with a small console type of a setup in front of me with the sounder and other electronics. It is handy when you have kids with you as well because you can see everything that is going on in the boat. You can also play large fish all around the boat without even having a cc get in the way. And, if you're fishing/crabbing up a creek, no steering system can respond quicker than a tiller.

Just my preference

Cheers

Dave

[BladeRunner]

Reel Nauti
Hi Dave good to see you on line.
Yep your not wrong T S's are not bad up the creeks for steering.
I went up one untill it narrowed down had to back out. No 3 point turn in by boat.
How's the fishing up your way been?

see ya
BladeRunner

[DaveSue_Fishos_Two]

G'day Bernie,

All is well up in this neck of the woods. Not many fish around at present with these bloody northerly's. Crabs are slow too at the moment. Sue says to say hello.

Cheers
Dave

[Smelly]

Reel Nauti -
Great idea - would you still use tiller steer in Bay fishing such as PPB in Melbourne?

BushBeachBoy -
I want to acquire 4.55m tinny for PPB - would you consider this crazy - in terms of cold and openess on bay? That frame on top of your CC sound like a great idea - cost of frame for T-Top?

Smelly

[DaveSue_Fishos_Two]

Smelly

Col from Fisher Boats had photographs in the boating section of this forum some time ago of a boat he did for a bloke. It had a 140hp tiller steer on the back. It was absolutely awesome.
If the configuration of your boat is tailored to your uses you won't get too wet. If it is not, add some bow and side rails and attach some clears.
Tiller steer can do all of the jobs any other form of steering/control can do (perhaps with the expection of quite large boats with very large motors). It is not the position of the helmsman that limits the use of your boat. Rather, it is size and configuration of the boat, horsepower, and experience.

Cheers
Dave

[joeT]

The only issue I find with a tiller is that it is tiring for long drives, especially the vibration of the motor that is transmitted directly to your hand through the tiller, someones gives me a numb hand driving around the bay.

[BladeRunner]

Sorry Sue I didn't forget you just got carried away with this fishing stuff and boats

Will we see you both in this years fishing comp?

Regards
BladeRunner

[BladeRunner]

Smelly
Smelly this is a picture of my boat if it gives you any ideas .
Canopy cost approx $300.
Good luck if you going to build a cc or modify one

BladeRunner

[BladeRunner]

This is before I turn old blade into BladeRunner
Have fun you will soon find out what tiller steer is like if you go where I have been.

BladeRunner

[BladeRunner]

last One

[Smelly]

Greatpics Bladey!

Who made the Canopy? #

If you made it, would you be able to give me some build/material specs? #Is it possible to make it longer? I love it!

Your boat is 4.95m long. #What minimum length do you think a CC can be installed on?

How does this CC now affect your fishing space and what differences can you notice in transit?

PS. Just gotback from my walk - in downtown Port Hedland WA and I walked past a CC boat and the console looked very much like the Pope Mobile - even with the tinted glass!

And, my email address is cahird@bigpond.net.au (sorry for delay and any more pics are welcome)..



Smelly

[Smelly]

To all - it seems the front steer option did not even get a mention!!

Why not have a forward steer on a 4.5-5m plate boat?

[BladeRunner]

Smelly
Thank You.

With your email address I can now send more details and pictures
with out clogging up this site and not having to reduce size of any pictures

Sit tight and over the week end. If you are keen I will briefly explain how I got to completion stage of a Centre consol . May post another pic or two and answer any Questions

see Ya
Blade [smiley=bandana.gif]

[Smelly]

Excellent!