Side console

[Seahorse]

I am still pondering about what I will do with my boat. Was thinking converting to centre console and put new yammy 70 on back.

Then thought about selling both boats and buy something bigger.

I aw talking to a guy at the ramp last week about his side console. He loved it. It was seajay 4.6 m .

I asked wether he got wet. He said only if blowing from one direction. I guess that applies to any boat.

I am just tired of tiller steer.

I want option to stand and steer.

Can anyone give me heads up on side consoles.

This is now becoming a mammoth decision but want to explore all options.

Cheers
Greg

Chee

[Noelm]

never been a fan of side console myself, but that's not to say they are crap, they are just not my "thing" centre console for me if I had to choose.

[ozynorts]

I have never been in one but my question would be can you stand and steer in one??? The seats and helm's always seem to be quite low?

[bluefin59]

I stand and steer in heavy chip in the bay and sometimes when off shore and don't find it uncomfortable but then again I am only 165 cm tall.. Matt

[davo]

Side consoles fine. Just balance out the boat better. I've owned both and the side console means that everyone walks down the centreline of the boat.

I have my batteries for the bowmount offset to compensate. I realise the average tinnie is more prone to leaning into the wind but every boat has a quirks.

[Seahorse]

If I currently sit to one side on the tiller steer, why would there be any difference with a side console. Wouldn't seats be in about same spot.
I was more worried about how wet u might get and I could imagine the softness of the ride should probably be the same.

Cheers

[astro66]

I have just converted my 4.5m brooker safari to side console....wish i had done it ages ago...its so much better...easy to stand and steer through the shallows with heaps better visability ...
Pretty cheep to do...500$ for cables/controls/attatchment kit...180$ for the steering...made the console at work 0$ a couple of hours to fit and all ready to go..

[Seahorse]

Astro,
That sounds good. I got a 455 seajay territory. Wife's cousin is an aluminum boat builder so he will make me a console unit.
How does it go in the choppy stuff? Do u get very wet? What motor u got on the Brooker. I just sick of sitting down all time. What was reason u converted to side console? Can u put a pick of what things look like.

Cheers
Greg

[astro66]

be home on break on thursday...3 weeks out here and im hangn for a fish...ill throw up a pick when i get home..
Its a 40hp merc....used a tohatsu control box and i think they were yammy cables...very easy to fit..
I made the console bit bigger and higher than normal so you can stand and steer no problems....when you sit you get a bit of cover from it....
Its no different as far as ride besides your not reaching around to steer although it does pop up on the plane a little quicker with the weight of you leaning forward more and the weight of the console...

[Seahorse]

That's sounds good. I am now seriously thinking of going this way. I will just wait to see if, anyone else has anything to offer.

Cheers
Greg

[fishclique]

Let me know how it goes seahorse i plan on doing the same with my tinny . I imagine if you get wet when using tiller steer it would be much the same as a side console . Will making the fishing alot easier though.

[Si]

That's sounds good. I am now seriously thinking of going this way. I will just wait to see if, anyone else has anything to offer.

Cheers
Greg

seajay may be able to do the alterations for you like the 'Tropic' model. although its a bit of a hike to Bundy. Just a thought.

[Lightly Toasted]

I thought the SeaJay 455 could only take a 50HP?

I have a SJ 4.4 Magnum XPACK and can't wait to get rid of the tiller steer. The 40 Merc tiller is tiny, so I can't stand up and steer making navigating shallow water very hard - Aswell as docking.

I looked at going to SC, but will be going CC for a few reasons (partly so I can have a T-Top for rocket launchers, allowing better storage, etc). The 4.4 is also a very wet boat if there is any chop at all, so much so that I need to buy some goggles to keep my glasses for getting covered in salt all the time. That's even sitting almost in the middle of the thwart, I would not like to know how wet I'd get sitting right at the gunnel.

Another problem with SC that I've found is that you need to offset the weight, so when you move to the side with all the weight the boat leans over really bad. Unless you're really light weight, or don't bother to offset. That could be just a problem unique to me however, maybe I should cut down on the KFC or something.

Just my 2 cents.

Rob.

[astro66]

Toasted...im 100kgs....boat handles the same with sc as tiller...sit in the same seat...
i do have my livebait tank on the opposite side though to even the weight up...but you should set every boat up to suit the load/handling not just sc...

[Lightly Toasted]

Toasted...im 100kgs....boat handles the same with sc as tiller...sit in the same seat...
i do have my livebait tank on the opposite side though to even the weight up...but you should set every boat up to suit the load/handling not just sc...

Must just be my boat then. I spent a lot of time figuring the weight distribution out, still leans like crazy. The SJ 4.4 does have a perfectly curved deadrise (as apposed to a sharper V), which probably makes a difference.

I also meant at rest, not travelling. I should clear that up.