Now that I finally got a little time off, I can get where I can do something.

Wanting to get a new rig sometime between now and teal season. Want to go 1846 or 1848, undecided about a hunt deck.

Pretty much set on a GTR unless I come across a deal on a PD.

Lately Ive been thinking. I mostly use my boat to hunt, and want to start bowfishing a bit more than I used to.
During hunting season I make several fairly long runs, so I started thinking maybe a console would be a little more comfortable, but Im worried about giving up the extra room. Especially on such a narrow boat.

I think I can go up to 20' in total length for not too much more money.

What do yall think? Console, or tiller?

I have a 17x54 PD Bought as a center console. I pulled the console out and installed a tiller on the engine for more room in the boat!

If you do go console, make sure you go at least 18ft. I traded a friend of mines who bought a tiller all his tiller shit for my console and lost my ass.! My boat has much more room now! It worked fine with the console, but you cannot work it near as good in the mud and grass with the steering!

My podna bought the 18x54 and its much better suited for the console then the 17ft. you may think its only 1ft but it makes a big difference!

I dont regret switching for sure. Get you nice confortable seat and get the tiller if you hunt more then fish! i do bout 50/50 with some froggin in there and i much rather the tiller....

I went from a center console to a tiller an couldn't be happy. Mich rather have the room and the tiller allows more control over the motor IMO...

It is different for everyone. If I made lots of long trips, I'd have a console. About a half an hour is all the longer I can stand to hold that tiller. However, for me, the length of the trips did not justify the extra rigging, sacrificed space, and added complexity of a console rig.

Simpler is better for my use. I did not want cables, controls, hydraulic steering, solenoids, extended wiring, etc. in a rig that was going to be used very hard, in the worst conditions. Also, a tiller does free up some space in the boat, and (and some may argue this point) it does afford you a little better ability to "work" the motor when you are in the slop.

I know you can work a tilelr better, but I dont go play as much as I used to. Im set on at least a 18' boat, and figure if I go console Ill go hunt deck also for a total of about 20' I would think the extra length may give me the room I want, but I have no experience with the console rigs

i would say you will be ok,,,,but make damn sure you get hydraulic steering!

i had both a cc and a tiller and ill break it down like this

if u use the boat for fishin and cruisin only, get the cc.
if u plan on huntin and goin in the mud, get the tiller.

Here's a review of my boat switching from steering to tiller.

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=16136&p=175915&hilit=Tiller+vs+console#p175915

Side note...speeds were on my phone gps, actual speeds on my new gps were roughly 1.5-2 mph slower

you know you are already set on a cc. get a cc and if u need a tiller for any reason, come get mine. all ya gots to do is ask. and when i go run jugs or hunt the wax ill come get your boat. a cc is nice on long runs. that 45 min ride sux on a tiller on them cold mornings. get a cc with a windshield and ride in comfort. just my opinion, and if you dont like the cc then we can trade, lol.

CC- no regrets here and i do pretty much what you wanna do with your rig But if you are bowfishing a lot I would consider getting a wider boat.

Like the console. Had tiller for two years. Did mine as a side console set far enough from the edge to let the blind fold down. Still hunt three guys and a dog out of my 17'6" x 52" with the console.

I plan on getting a tiller and eventually putting a console in it. Thats why I'm going 52-54 wide.

I had an 18x48 CC, loved it. Plenty of room to load up two more guys and hunting gear. Fun to cruise around in. Very comfortable. If you are into measuring peckers in the mud, get a tiller.

My concern with the width is in the woods. A guy I hunt with has a 1844, and slide through a few sets of trees that I get stuck in almost every time in my 1650

#1 word of advice... Get hydro steering, or don't even bother buying a boat with a console.

Being able to walk to the front and get a beer while your boat drives itself in a straight line at 28 mph...,,,, priceless!

Matt I just bought a Gatortail CC. Holler at me if you want to try it out to see if its what you're looking for.

Screw a tiller!!Old fockers like me love the center consoles!

I had a tiller for a couple of years and then installed the hydro steering...LOVE it!! Should have done it from the beginning...click the link in my signature and you'll see pics of my rig.
Woody

Center console is da way to go!! Wouldn't have it any other way.