Outboard Boat Motor ---- Hand control or steering wheel??

[7lazy77]

I am looking at getting a smaller (16' - 17') aluminum fishing boat. Some of the motors are hand controlled & the others have a steering wheel (all outboards).... would like to know of any of the pro's & con's of each and your preference? I am stuck on the fence & need a little help. Thanks!

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Outboard Boat Motor ---- Hand control or steering wheel??

Its all about the boat and what you intend to do with it.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Outboard Boat Motor ---- Hand control or steering wheel??

What kind of fishing and river or lake? I assume no ocean given Wyoming doesn't have a nearby ocean. :joyous:

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Outboard Boat Motor ---- Hand control or steering wheel??

Motor, battery, fuel tank, operator all at the stern.... did that once and never again.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Outboard Boat Motor ---- Hand control or steering wheel??

With a helm, you lose some space. With a tiller, you have the aforementioned weight distribution problem, and the potential for a really sore back.

The otherwise same hull will have a higher maximum HP rating with a helm.

 

[pckeen]

Re: Outboard Boat Motor ---- Hand control or steering wheel??

Tiller steering:
- pros: more room in the boat, less expensive boat (becuase you don't have a bunch of cables, controls, and steering wheel); easier to get around the boat from front to back because there is no windshield or side or center console getting in your way; nicer for fishing in good weather because you can move around more; typically a ligher boat than a console boat becuase there is less equipment and materials in the boat; often these boats are lighter, so they have smaller, less expensive motors
cons: open boat, meaning less protection from the elements (in the rain, it's amazing just how much protection you will get from a windshield; harder to use for watersports; you are sitting in the back when the boat is running, which can mean it is more difficult to see what is ahead of you if the boat is well-loaded; smaller motor means less power

Steering wheel with a full windshield.....pretty much reverse what you have there

Center or Side Console: some pluses and minuses from what you have above.

Its all about the boat and what you intend to do with it.

Ditto on SigSaur's comments.

I did the tiller steering and side console thing - kids and family didn't like it when it was cold, windy, or rainy out. Got a boat with a windshield - and now everyone is happy.

 

[Teamster]

Re: Outboard Boat Motor ---- Hand control or steering wheel??

TILLER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With a smaller fishing boat a tiller is the answer,........imo,.........

Or even on a big boat for that matter, A 250 or 300 horse tiller is fun to run!!

 

[oldman570]

Re: Outboard Boat Motor ---- Hand control or steering wheel??

A Tiller motor will usually make tighter turns when in narrow streams. The weight distribution can be evened out by moving the battery and the gas tank to the front of the boat area, by lengthen the cables and the fuel hose. Also easier to watch the tell tail water stream flow so you do not overheat the motor if the water intake gets plugged or the impeller goes bad. I have both setups and the tiller gets used a lot more for fishing and the consul is more of a fun boat now days. JMO
Oldman570

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Outboard Boat Motor ---- Hand control or steering wheel??

I'd have to go along with the rest of the guys and say it all depends on how you're gunna use the boat and what kind of water you'll be on. Small lakes and rivers then Tillers are the way to go. Bigger water then a console is kinda nice to sit behind and steer.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Outboard Boat Motor ---- Hand control or steering wheel??

For me in Michigan, with 1-4 foot waves, I need a full windshield to stay dry and comfortable. If I was pond jumping, I'd consider a tiller. Depends what you use the boat for.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Outboard Boat Motor ---- Hand control or steering wheel??

Here are 2 with consoles. The Lund is an S14 DLX the Alumacraft is a Classic 16.

After the picture of the Lund was taken I added a casting deck to the bow with a removable post seat. It was very comfortable for 2 people and wasn't that hard to move around in. Not that there is that much moving around in a boat this size. This would have been even nicer and easier to move around in if it would have had an open floor plan like the Rebels do.

The Alumacraft is 2' longer and about 6" wider than the Lund and is much easier to move around in and is much more comfortable. It is also almost twice the weight but also has almost twice the hp and uses much more fuel.

I find that the larger, 16' or better, boats with tillers cause me to experience shoulder strain and stiffness after a day of fishing.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Outboard Boat Motor ---- Hand control or steering wheel??

it's kinds like choosing between an open pick-up truck or a closed-in SUV. Lots of pros and cons, all driven by your particular use and conditions.

One fixed factor is that you can run a higher HP on a boat with a console than a tiller, all other things being equal. This is important in the 14-18' range.

Used to be, most tillers were pull start (actually, most small motors <25 were pull start) but there are lots of small motors now with electric. Although my 14' whaler grownig up was a pull start and console, it's a little awkward to do your starting at the motor then move to the console to control.

Also a tiller is a good way to go if you don't have power tilt kinda for the same reason-you are stationed right there. And again, used to, small motors didn't have PTT but now many do. In shallow coastal boating, PTT is the way to go; not as important in lakes.

Nice thing about a pull-start boat is less weight aboard b/c no battery.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Outboard Boat Motor ---- Hand control or steering wheel??

Have to agree with Home Cooking above as there were a number of times last summer I'd wished I had the smaller Lund back. The 35hp Evinrude also had the shallow water drive position which I used all the time and it wasn't that difficult to use from the console position.

Lots of trade offs with either way you decide to go.

 

[Brian 26]

Re: Outboard Boat Motor ---- Hand control or steering wheel??

I've had both and I agree with everything that's already been said. In summary I'd say small water - tiller. Big water - console.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Outboard Boat Motor ---- Hand control or steering wheel??

Family runabout to do it all - Wheel and windshield.

Strictly a fishing boat - tiller.
Pros - no console, battery and tank at the stern - more room in the boat
- no need for power trim - use the shallow water drive if needed
- lighter - easier to trail
- less complicated systems to have to maintain
- perfect handling with all that weight aft - you just have to know what you're doing and how to set up a boat
Cons - less friendly in bad weather
- slightly reduced visibility

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Outboard Boat Motor ---- Hand control or steering wheel??

Next question is who's going to be doing all the operating?

Had a lead on a fantastic Lund Rebel 16' tiller. Wife put kabosch on that. She like to fish and drive. She also has Control Issues. Meaning she likes to be in control. She drives everywhere we go. Says I'm too pokey.

 

[gm280]

Re: Outboard Boat Motor ---- Hand control or steering wheel??

I've seen and read about every option but stick steering. I used tiller and consoles as well and it really depends on size and use like others alluded too. But I am presently rebuilding a stick steering 14' + Tom Boy boat tri-haul boat and I am excited to get it in the water. I've driven stick steering setups and personally like them. You have clear visibility being up front and everything right there at your disposal as well. And you fish from the same seat yielding more room in the boat for passengers and carry on equipment... A little bit of both worlds.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Outboard Boat Motor ---- Hand control or steering wheel??

, A 250 or 300 horse tiller is fun to run!!

I really doubt that, but I don't know for sure. Was surprised to see the gator hunters in LA. using 100 hp with tiller steering. Course they did have PTT with controls on the handle which helped to take some of the steering torque out of the handle.

Mark

 

[Teamster]

Re: Outboard Boat Motor ---- Hand control or steering wheel??

Here ya go,............

Mercury bought out the "big tiller" power steering to make it theirs alone, Used to be able to get them for most makes,...

I saw pictures of a tiller steer on a 300 horse that was in testing, Doesn't look like the 300 horse tiller made production,..

A 250 tiller is a blast to run,....

Big Tiller | Mercury Marine

Then there is also the Warrior Boats proprietary pro tiller system,....

Warrior Boats - 2014 V2090 Backtroller Eagle XST Tournament

 

[tazrig]

Re: Outboard Boat Motor ---- Hand control or steering wheel??

I'm a steering wheel guy myself. It just feels as though you have more control of the boat.