tiller or console

[Member]

hey all my dilema is i am going to buy a 409 stacer bass elite with 40 horse, my gut tells me go tiller for space others say console still leaves plenty of room i dont know help!!!

CHEERS MOLLY

[Member]

tillers rule.

[Member]

Listen to Johnny.

I've a 4.6 "Tournament Elite" (Stacer).  This was Telwater's remake of the Stacer punts some ten years back. Think "Evo" instead of "Millenium" hulls. Saw it at the Silverwater boat show (now that conglomerate thing at Rosehill). Great hull - thought so then and do now some eight years on. Still has the Tohatsu 50TLDI on its arse; goes like the clappers and trolls all day (700/800/900 rpm at the push of a starter key).

Oh, and yes, they wanted me to take it as it was shown: side console. No thanks. It's a great open boat with plenty of forward decking (two in fact) and suited to fly / lure casting. Also, back then with a four and six year old in the boat, they were never going to be behind me.

Convinced Caitlin that the wash well was a dunny. Another story perhaps....

[Member]

tillers rule.

True but why?

Consider your boat as a mobile work platform.  It's mobility is its greatest asset and at times its greatest impediment.  A current or the wind can just as easily push you into or away from trouble.  With outboards your only means of control is the motor/tiller combination situated at the stern.  The stern drive in itself is a unique concept, you drive a forklift and you get an inkling of how maneuverable that can be particularly with the extra movement a tiller steer gives over a console steer.

Where this really makes a difference is when you place the angler directly over the top of the steering/drive line. Rather than being positioned in the middle of the boat with stern and bow moving around a point approximately on your position you are situated on the leading edge of the turn.  This gives you a much quicker and much more direct control over the direction the boat takes particularly when fighting a fish or trolling. 

[Member]

What they said.  I've got both Mully, and as far as boat control at low speed goes you cannot beat a tiller.  Trolling with a steering wheel is a pain in the pectorals.  High speed is a different thing.  My old Hornet was good for about 40mph on the right water.  You end up with a forearm like Popeye hanging onto the tiller at that speed.  I'm a hug fan of the Merc gear shift on the twist grip too, one handed operation, but I don't think they do it on the 40.  Space makes bugger all difference.

[Member]

Tiller for me too Molly. Easier to get on & off when fishing dams that don't allow outboards.

Cheers,

Doddsy

[Member]

In a boat under 4.3M  -  yeh a tiller is the way to go (room wise , control etc) ....... though  if you plan to do long runs - then you'll appreciate a console.  bigger boats  4.5M + with  bigger motors -   a tiller is a pain.

Chris

[Member]

Tillers rule....no contest. Why?  Because I have one

Randall.

[Member]

Depends on what you do most of the time , be it casting or trolling
had the tiller , pain to troll with , have to be on it all the time , console is relaxing , for me that's what it's all about .

Regards

Pete

[Member]

Tiller.


Toddy

[Member]

Not meaning to kidnap the thread - but tiller.
From a guiding perspective and personal view - there's a vast difference between a boat to fish from, and a boat to work in.
For survey reasons I had to stay under 6m bt couldn't find an 'off the shelf' hull that offered the work station convenience I wanted.
I had one made. Tiller steer was the #1 option.
Other criteria are badge-free, bullshot free and Squidgie free zones - though I must admit the Slick Rig is the most gumby-proof plastic out there.
The next Freshwater Fishing has a more comprehensive rundown.
The pics show a bit of the design/storage/work station philosophy.
The fishing sequence is Matt Hart with a schoolie with wife amongst onlookers. His Mum, Pam took the shot.
Rob Bush, RIP, features in another.
Scott Finlayer took the 'help me, Honda..help, help me Honda' jump shot...was having a day off and a handful of rod for a change.
 

[Member]

whoops..

Help me Honda, help, help me, Honda....,.......

(might be a good line if ever a surfie/fishing band was to form......hmmm....the barraboys?)

[Member]

Had a 400elite with a 40Yammy 2 stroke and Tiller.

wish I still had it.

Have had a side consol in a bigger boat was ok but not as big as the smaller boat,

[Member]

A console is also weight, the Stacer Clitrex Hornet hull in 4 mtr doesnt have a very big planing plank, and the more weight you put in it the slower it is out of the hole
4 mtr boats dont have enough room for consoles as well

[Member]

On a 4 meter with 40 horses I'd go tiller.