will a center console work?

[g_morin]

Ok here is the deal i was looking at a bowrider but the more i read about them i lost my warm and fuzzy....ive driven a center console and thought it was a nice boat my wife would have a place to lay out....i cold fish....i could pull tubers and i can just cruise fresh or saltwater...pretty much seems like a versatile boat for 17-19' boats. Is there any reason my conclusions could be skewed? I love the idea of a 17' montauk whaler...

Glenn

 

[aspeck]

Re: will a center console work?

That's what I was looking for with similar reasons. Before I found one in the condition AND price I wanted I ran across a neat dual console that probably works better for my "family" applications. Either way, from your reasoning I think you would be happy.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: will a center console work?

The only difference I see would be seating for others on board. Center consoles are not known so much for creature comforts.

 

[g_morin]

Re: will a center console work?

There would be a max or 6 on board but ive seen bow pads for whalers with rails so as long as the chop is low it should be ok i would think...

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: will a center console work?

well first for the number of passengers you have to go by the hull plate and not what you think it will hold. you should be able to find the 17' montauk's rating.

No one can say "a center console is ___" because there are so many hull and interior designs that also have center consoles. Many have lots of built-in seating (Sea Hunt Ultra). Some have no seating (Parker). Some are bare-bones and some are luxurious. Some have various set-ups for seating, and some have a big flat deck up front (Carolina Skiff J series) that could be a "sun pad" that some people like so much--it's also a casting platform which makes even more sense.

Speaking of, the Carolina Skiff has some of the highest passenger capacity ratings.

Any 17' boat will be too crowded for 6 for recreational boating even if it's rated. 19' might be tight, might be OK depending on use--not for a 8 hour cruise but OK for short hops.

 

[the vision]

Re: will a center console work?

I had a bow rider. I couldn't fish from it,so I bought a center console. Now we do everything you listed. Fish,cruise, and pull the kids on the tube.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: will a center console work?

Almost any CC in the size range you are looking for would make a lousy family boat and adding several feet will make it only marginally better.

If you want to fish in warm weather (you didn't list where you live), then a CC might be the right boat. Most have little or no protection for the wife and kids though, so they get to sit in the wind and weather when ever you're cruising around. This can be OK for a short time in good weather, but gets old fast, especially if the weather turns nasty. Seating can also be an issue, the skipper and possibly one other person get an OK seat, the rest get sort of an after thought spot to sit that may have a cushion or something to try and make it comfortable, but it can be awkward.

I have 2 CC’s so I deal with this all the time, I would rather have a different layout. One I gutted and changed it totally, the other one is turning into a long term project and will be changed.

Some new CC’s have better layouts, but I don’t think you’re talking new.

 

[g_morin]

Re: will a center console work?

Well we dont have any kids so not really a family boat me my wife and a couple friends mostly....

 

[DC20]

Re: will a center console work?

You might want to look into a dual console. It has some of the same features as a bow rider combined with a center console.
My current one has a huge cushioned bow area, transom shower, raw water wash down, live well and built in cooler.

 

[JEBar]

Re: will a center console work?

while CC boats do offer some solid advantages, for family/fishing use we have found that a dual console, bow rider with fore and aft pedestal seats offers us the best floor plan ... in addition, we like a fish and ski type hull without the low cut bow ... naturally what is perfect for one person/family may or may not work for another .... for me the biggest thing I have to fight in making such a purchase is falling in love with a boat and from that point looking at it through rose colored glasses .... historically when I've done so the reality of any shortcomings become clearer and clearer with the passing of time

Jim

 

[g_morin]

Re: will a center console work?

I haved into those but also keep in mind budget is of importance with this purchase....thank you for all the input though.