Questions about center console boats.

[john from md]

I am thinking of getting another boat, maybe. I currently have a 16 foot Bayliner bowrider and I am thinking about getting a Whaler or Carolina Skiff. I only use it for fishing. Bottom fishing, drift fishing and trolling.

My question is, do you always have to fish standing up in those boats? I have a bad back and am used to sitting. In my bowrider, I can sit in the front or the back and get pretty comfortable.

The center console boats I have looked at appear to only have the drivers seat. While this looks ok for driving, it shure doesn't look like it will work too well for fishing.

Can someone enlighten me on how you fish on these?

Thanks,

John

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Questions about center console boats.

there are many designed for fishing, with a pedistal seat in the bow, and one in the stern. whaler and CS just aren't one of them. this is just one out of many. bow seat, and tilt back stern seat. http://www.smokercraft.com/showroom/ShowModel.aspx?ModelID=844&SeriesID=118

 

[arks]

Re: Questions about center console boats.

Those kinds of boats can be used for sit-down fishing with a few simple changes.
I've setup my 14' Jon so I can fish while seated. Both seats swivel. The front seat allows full use of the (foot controlled) bow-mounted trolling motor, and the rear seat allows me to wet a line while running the outboard. I think similar modifications could be easily done to a Whaler or CS.

I'm sure the "regulars" are getting tired of seeing this image, but here's my rig:

 

[john from md]

Re: Questions about center console boats.

Thats the mose sophisticated Jon boat I ever saw! Neat.

John

 

[arks]

Re: Questions about center console boats.

Thats the mose sophisticated Jon boat I ever saw! Neat.

John

Thanks John.
I just wish more FISH would like it.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Questions about center console boats.

The CC that I used to have didn't come with pedestal seats but they were easy to add.

 

[cdnfthree2]

Re: Questions about center console boats.

I just pulled two of those thick based pedestal seats out of my CC (Probably 3 or 3.5" thick posts with about ten inch bases) I'm switching to a removable cooler seat. More moving around room. I bet they'll fetch well on ebay.

 

[DJ]

Re: Questions about center console boats.

Here's my Custom Whaler.

 

[john from md]

Re: Questions about center console boats.

DJ,

Nice setup, very neat and unclutterd. Are your tanks under the seats?

I would have to put some holes in the seatback supports so I could adjust them with pip pins. That 90 degree angel is a little too ridgid for me.

Regards,

John

 

[mthieme]

Re: Questions about center console boats.

John, there's no reason why you couldn't mount a pedestal swivel seat.
My skiff pictured had a swivel seat when I got it. Although being low, it is not bad back friendly.
I'm guessing you plan on staying in (probably) the Severn ?

 

[john from md]

Re: Questions about center console boats.

Actually , fish the bay down to the Choptank and up to Dundalk as long as the wave heights are 3 feet or less.

My Bayliner rides well but it and the engine are original 1985 so I figure I would start looking for something different.

Boston Whalers always interested me so I figured I would ask a few questions about them.

Regards,

John

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Questions about center console boats.

Whalers are top of the lines, with top of the line prices, but hold there value, some 1970 whalers are selling now for what they sold for new, of course todays dollar is worth a Quarter compared to a Dollar then.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Questions about center console boats.

Actually , fish the bay down to the Choptank and up to Dundalk as long as the wave heights are 3 feet or less.

My Bayliner rides well but it and the engine are original 1985 so I figure I would start looking for something different.

Boston Whalers always interested me so I figured I would ask a few questions about them.

Regards,

John

I like Whalers too. But you won't do your back any favors running the bay with anything less than a deep Vee. I assuming you're not going to trailer to your destination (?).
I've seen older Bayliners out there. Maybe just plan to repower...add fresh water cooling next go 'round.

 

[john from md]

Re: Questions about center console boats.

Funny you should say that.

I have been looking at trailering down towards Deale or even Chesapeake Beach rather than making the run by water. It's not bad if the bay is not up or the wind is not out of the south, but running 40 miles on some days does make my back ache.

Now that I start thinking about my back, I'm starting to remember what those flat bottom boats feel like.

Some of my friends have been trying to get me to trailer over to the shore to fish the choptank and the bay around Tilghman island. I may have to do that this summer.

John

 

[DJ]

Re: Questions about center console boats.

John,

You can do that. Make the backrest adjustable.

I find it to actually be more comfortable, than it looks. It's all in how high the backrest is placed.

I actually stand, more than sit, while driving.

Yes, the tanks (two six gallon) are under the seat. There is enough room for a much larger permanent tank, if I decide to go that route.

You can also go with pedestal seats but just make sure they are anchored very well.

I went this way because my Whaler was sorely lacking in storage and deck space.

You can see more here.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=261834

 

[john from md]

Re: Questions about center console boats.

DJ,

You did a really nice restoration and the documentation was great too.

Just a guess but are you in the Daytona, FL area?

John

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Questions about center console boats.

DJ, is in Phoenix, i'm in Jacksonville, and have a boat in the Daytona area.

 

[txmntman]

Re: Questions about center console boats.

John, I've had lots of boats, bass boats, bowriders, jon boats, and center consoles. I currently have a 15 ft starcraft aluminum and a 17 Boston Whaler Montauk. I have found the center consoles to work out much better for me than any other design, and I use my boat for fishing, tubing, and general boating. You will also find folks bashing this make or that make for a variety of reasons, and some of these reasons have some basis in fact. Here are some additional observations:
* boats with flatter bottoms will tend to feel more stable at rest, giving you a great fishing platform. They will also tend to be rougher riding in a chop. My Montauk is a great example of this, and some people think it is too rough riding. I think it is great and really, really like the boat.
* Adding a seat to the front of a CC boat is usually a simple thing, and can be done to most CC, the BW included. It does mean that you can use the bow mounted trolling motor and fish while sitting down. The comfort of the seat has more to do with the individual seat than the position or the boat. Most seat can be purchased lots of places, and the Marine store here at i-boats has a bunch of them
* Many of the CC has a flip seat for the driver. The larger ones also have a rear seat similar to a rear fishing seat found on most bass boats. Again, for fishing while seated. This are also easily added if your boat of choice does not have them.

Get the boat you want and add accessories as you see fit. Most are easily done. Bear in mind that what is choppy on a lake may be considered not a problem on a bay, (and vice versa) depending on who you are talking to. Look at the boats where you will likely be boating, and that may tell you what works well where you are.....Good luck!

 

[john from md]

Re: Questions about center console boats.

TD,

The reason I though DJ was in Daytona is that the type of house, plants etc in his picture looked like a place I was going to retire to, Spruce Creek. After 9/11, many of my friends lost their good retirement packages and moved back up North. That's when I decided to stay put even though I regret it everytime the winter comes.

When I used to fly and train in AZ, there wasn't that kind of foliage. I guess times change.

txmntman,

Just so you know, I'm not a neophyte to boats, however, I am quite a bit older now so I have to watch what I buy. I used to own things that flew from wave top to wave top or broke right through them. That and my undergraduate tour at the U. of RSVN probably gave me my bad back.

I actually built an ocean going sunfish, complete with marconi rig and engine that I used to sail in the Atlantic, Delaware and Chesapeake bays in the '70s. I really got a kick out of the looks I got from the head boats 10 miles off of Cape May. I used to take the kids out too in that thing. Today they would probably arrest me for some kind of child endangerment.

The problem I find as I get older is that my mind still things it can do things that my body can't. As much as I would have liked to get a BW, I probably will stick with a V hull as it doesn't get beat up as bad making the trip. I agree the flat bottom is mor stable but the rocking puts me to sleep and I wouldn't want to miss out on my zzzs. Good sleep is also harder to come by as you get older.

Regards,

John

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: Questions about center console boats.

Arks, I'm not a big fan of sub 20' CC boats but have to admit, your looks sweet! Enjoy it!

John, Curious, Any particular reason the bayliner isn't working or just time for a change?