Trolling-Tiller vs. steer

[Chsrlietuna]

Hi,
I am new to this forum and would like some feedback.
I have heard the age old debate over tiller steering vs. Console steering but I am curious as to what peoples opinions are about trolling. I am looking for a boat to set up with down riggers to troll for lake trout and land-locked salmon. I am looking for a 16-17 foot aluminum boat and wanted to know how people felt about trolling with tiller steering. Right now I am leaning toward console steering but if trolling with a tiller steer isn't much different that might give me more options. I am open to all comments, criticism, and suggestions.

Any help would be appreciated. Also if anyone has an opinion about Dura Nautic Boats I would llike to hera that as well. (haven't had much response on the Manufacturers like.

-CT

 

[ebry710]

Re: Trolling-Tiller vs. steer

I have a Whaler and it is center console. I am setting up for console control, because everything, depth finder, radio, lights, switches and basically the brains of my boat have been set to the center.

 

[rolmops]

Re: Trolling-Tiller vs. steer

There is an additional factor and that is weight.I used to troll in a 17 foot aluminum boat on the finger lakes in upstate NY and started using tiller steering.It was a constant fight between boat direction and wind direction because the bow of the boat was to high and it was pushed around by side wind.
Sitting in the middle of the boat keeps the bow down and overall steering and direction is far better controlled.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Trolling-Tiller vs. steer

also if you use no feedback steering system. you can turn the wheel loose, and be boat will stay straight, as long as the wind does not catch the boat. then you can fight the fish. with tiller steer unless you lock the motor straight, or tighten the swivel, the boat is going to turn in circles, when you have to turn loose the tiller.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Trolling-Tiller vs. steer

I do a great deal of trolling with both and it can make a big difference.

On large bodies of water steering from the console works great and the big motor acts like rudder to help steer. You're sitting with all the electronics and typically have a better view.

I also troll in conditions so tight that all the rods need to point out the back of the boat or you'll be hitting other boats, docks, trees, rocks, etc.
In this situation tiller control is much better.

My CC is set up to steer either way, the quick disconnect just pops on or off so it takes about 10 seconds to go from one to the other.

 

[marquette]

Re: Trolling-Tiller vs. steer

i would go with console. by the sounds of how you want to rig the boat with downriggers for salmon and trout almost all the action will be in the back of the boat. getting the guy steering the boat out of the way from the fishing makes sense to me. i use console steering and i agree it holds track better when i walk away from it than my tiller steer boats have.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Trolling-Tiller vs. steer

Tiller can give you precise control that isn't possible at the limits and slow reaction of a steering wheel.

Having said that, I don't like tiller steering since I don't want stuff in the way at my transom. And I use the electric to forward or back-troll anyway, so the main engine is irrelevant to me in that case, and speed-trolling with the main engine is always forward for me.

The convertible tiller-to-helm sounds intriguing, but I think I would prefer the helm steering over tiller if I couldn't choose. I like the central control, and it's a shorter run forward or aft with guest anglers in the boat who seem to often need panic adjustments to their fishing gear

Funny anecdote: A guest teen last year was complaining something was wrong with his line-he wasn't catching anything. I'd been out about 10 mins with 4 teens in the boat, with a couple of nice rainbows landed trolling already. As I took the rod from him I could feel the fish on the rapala so I handed it back to him telling him he had a fish. He eventually started reeling in the trout, but not until after he looked at me (disgusted) and said, "Is this a bass lure?!" Take a kid fishing, it's entertaining!

I am torn about center console versus side console since I spent several freezing, wet days fishing here in Vermont last fall. The closed bow wastes space, but it sure does keep down the wind. But for general fishing I am really attracted to some of the smaller center consoles I have seen at the boat shows.

But my vote is console control.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Trolling-Tiller vs. steer

Since the subject of center or side console came up, and you're looking for a style of boat to troll with, I thought I?d give my unsolicited opinion on that also. For a small boat used to troll for salmon, a CC is a poor choice. This type of fishing is normally done in colder climates and there is very little protection from the weather in a CC, plus in a small boat the console takes up a tremendous amount of room. Having a side console or dual console does not mean you have a closed bow, it can be a walk through with an open or closed bow, just depends on what you want, and it makes trolling in bad weather much more comfortable. This style also allows you use a full canvas top and stay completely out of the cold and wet.

With a swivel seat at the helm of a side console it lets you sit facing the stern with a full view of the downriggers and rods, plus the entire deck between you and the gear is wide open. In a CC no matter where you sit you can?t easily see everything and not everybody can sit behind the console, so to get to the rods can be a little tricky. A design like TD?s is better because the CC is mounted well forward leaving a great deal of room behind it.

For other types of fishing, or in warmer climates, a CC can be great.

 

[Chsrlietuna]

Re: Trolling-Tiller vs. steer

Thank you for all the great feedback. I think I will be looking for a console steer. There have been many scenarios brought up I did not think about IE. wind and tracking. Since I will have a fairly light boat it will most definitely be a factor. I will still be looking for more opinions if people keep posting. Thanks again for your help.

 

[sturdavj]

Re: Trolling-Tiller vs. steer

I have used both tiller and console steering. For slow trolling tiller steering will provide the best control.

Previous boat; With my tiller I mounted a swivel seat on the port side of the outboard, I controlled the speed and direction with my right hand while fishing/ holding my pole with my left hand. No question I tended to stay engaged longer while fishing with the tiller. When I fished by myself on big/ rough waters to help with the tracking I would place several boulders (~ 75 > 100 lbs) in the bow to keep it riding low in the water. IT was a 14 ft aluminum Klamath delux fisherman model.

Current boat; I now fish with console steering, the first owner moved the console from the center to the starboard side of the hull. This provides plenty of access (port side of the console) as I move from stern to bow.

I use a swivel seat and spend most of my time facing aft with my legs extended, watching my pole(s) resting in thier holders, something I was not able to do with my tiller, which resulted in a sore neck/shoulders at the end of long day fishing.

If I was to set up a boat with pole holders and down riggers I personally would go with console steering so that I could face rearward and keep a constant monitor on the action taking place with my lines.

If I was planning on trolling slow (1.5 > 3 mph) while holding my pole and ?feeling my line? as I fished then tiller steering would be my choice.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Trolling-Tiller vs. steer

Like he said, tracking isn't a big deal, just move a fuel tank or some gear to the front of the boat to balance it out if you use a tiller by yourself.

 

[marquette]

Re: Trolling-Tiller vs. steer

i used to use a couple of 5 gal water containers to balence the boat. i could just reach them over the side and fill them. set them in the front and easily empty them when i got back to shore.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Trolling-Tiller vs. steer

........to troll for salmon, a CC is a poor choice. This type of fishing is normally done in colder climates and there is very little protection from the weather in a CC, plus in a small boat the console takes up a tremendous amount of room. Having a side console or dual console does not mean you have a closed bow, it can be a walk through with an open or closed bow, just depends on what you want, and it makes trolling in bad weather much more comfortable. ....... A design like TD?s is better because the CC is mounted well forward leaving a great deal of room behind it...

"This type of fishing is normally done in colder climates"
Sounds like you have been fishing in Vermont

I am planning to start another boat myself in the spring. I love my 14' Niagara with its closed bow, but a walk-through or side console with room to fish from the bow without having to climb over the windshield is attractive. The center console is appealing because you can walk at the gunwales all around the boat. But I have been grateful for the protection in my boat often enough that your comment has caused me to drop the CC idea.

The new hull I am talking about is an old Reinell and has about 16" more beam and is two feet longer than the Niagara, but the Reinell windshield is a step through. I am going to give it a diet with my tiger saw, and probably make it a walk-through, and make a hatch or panel to fill in the opening for wind protection.

Maybe I am dumb, but a quick search and I cannot find tashasdaddy's boat. Unless this was it http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=259338&highlight=project but the pictures are broken links. I was hoping to look at it.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: Trolling-Tiller vs. steer

I'm actually a tiller stearing fan. Downside to tiller control is that you loose some forward visability and often need to trim the boat with weight (full live well usually works for me) to keep the bow down in wind.
Upside ( particularly in 18' or less boats) is that your interior space and footprint is mazimized. ( A console take up considerable space in the boat.) A console free boat less snagging hazards for fishing lines and ALLOT less mechanical /electrical system extensions to maintain and/or fail.
FWIW, I'm rigging a 16' aluminum now and it's getting a 30 hp tiller

 

[Starcraftguy1]

Re: Trolling-Tiller vs. steer

Well,my 17' deep v Bass Tracker has flat gunwales,with flush mount rod holders all around it.The side console has an armrest captains chair,with 1 spin of the seat I can get to all my rods in the holders,watch my fish finder and the 40 horse can troll at 600 rpms.I feel is the perfect trolling boat.And let the thing go,unless I have hooked a monster,then I will pull back into nuetral.Everything is within arms reach.

 

[Chsrlietuna]

Re: Trolling-Tiller vs. steer

Hello,
Love all the great feedback, I ended up buying a 16 foot Princecraft Starfish DLX. It has a side console and as soon as I set it up for trolling I will tell you how I like it. First however will be striper season. I hear they are slowly starting to come up the Hudson river now.

-CT