Walkaround's or Center Console?

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squale

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 21, 2003
Messages
127
I know both of these are good for fishing, but which type is better for fishing AND skiing? I want something where the boys can go out fishing for the day whether it be on the ocean or fresh water lakes, and then the girls can go out sunbathing and skiing the next day if they desire. So basically I am trying to determine the best type of boat design to go with.<br /><br />I think a bowrider or deckboat wouldn't be good for fishing.. any thoughts?
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: Walkaround's or Center Console?

newtoboats,<br /><br />Both a center and a walkaround will be fine for skiing.<br /><br />However, neither lend themselves very well to sunbathing.<br /><br />About the only advantage a walkaround has is a place to get out of the sun/weather and possibly a place for a portable head.
 
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crazy charlie

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 22, 2003
Messages
5,604
Re: Walkaround's or Center Console?

I have a center console and I love it !!! But Girls like some privacy on occasion and a center console gives you none and a walkaround offers some. Charlie
 
K

KCook

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Joined
Jan 24, 2002
Messages
1,624
Re: Walkaround's or Center Console?

One of the things newtoboatsman has not told us yet is what size he wants. For skiing an I/O boat is usually preferred. But for the ocean I would want at least a 21 footer if it is I/O. Which may be bigger than newtoboatsman had in mind?<br /><br />Clearly there are going to be compromises here,<br />Kelly Cook
 
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RatFish

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 29, 2003
Messages
647
Re: Walkaround's or Center Console?

newtoboatsman,<br /><br />Don't forget to consider a Dual Console. It's the fishing boat manufacturers attempt to make a multipurpose boat as you described. Most of the fishing boat Manufacturers make at least one. They are usually in the 18' to 21' range. Some even come with a portable head but as KCook mentioned, "there are going to be compromises". <br /><br />Good Luck. <br /><br />Check out these links for some examples:<br /><br />Grady-White, Boston Whaler, SeaSwirl, Sea Fox<br /><br /> EDIT: <br />Sorry, I just saw that KCook already addressed Dual Consoles in the "Need help with finding first powerboat..." thread.
 
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PAkev

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 9, 2002
Messages
665
Re: Walkaround's or Center Console?

Newboatman,<br /><br />I had a similar situation and just put a deposit on a 2004 Polar center console 19ft deep V by Godfrey marine. I enjoy flyfishing and wanted something that afforded plenty of casting room, the kids just want something that can pull them around on a tube, and the wife wanted something that looked nice.<br /><br />We entertained the cuddy or walk around styles but almost everyone I talked to informed us they rarely use the cabin for purposes other than storage. We wanted to give passengers a little elbow room by not concentrating everyone in the helm and aft areas of the boat and there therefore thought the center console was best for our demands.<br /><br />We got the bow cushions that go over the front casting deck and fishbox which also offers the opportunity for additional seating or sunbathing. We also looked at a few deckboats but I couldn't bring myself to buying something that looks like a jon boat on steroids.<br /><br />Indeed there may be compromises but if you turn over a few stones you can find something you can be comfortable with.<br /><br />Kevin
 
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KCook

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jan 24, 2002
Messages
1,624
Re: Walkaround's or Center Console?

Hey RatFish, you've got nuthin to be sorry for! It is confusing when a topic jumps around multiple threads. :) <br /><br />hop scotch Kelly
 
snapperbait

snapperbait

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 20, 2002
Messages
5,754
Re: Walkaround's or Center Console?

Newtoboatsman: I'd go with a walkaround, small cabin... If your going to take the girls out with you for extended periods, get a portable head (toilet) to keep in the cabin... Trust me on that one!
 
TopNotch

TopNotch

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 22, 2003
Messages
111
Re: Walkaround's or Center Console?

I would recommend a center console. Gets everything done, skiing, fishing, sunbathing/partying.. All C/C's are different though. All will get the job done 'cept when it comes to sunbathing. Look for a C/C with wide flat gunwales to 'lay-out' on, and a small foredeck. (IE seacraft, mako). Some C/C's like aquasports have narrow gunwales, and there is no comfortable way to lay on them. (Look in my 'profile' for a picture of my boat. There is about a 6'Long space on the 'hatches'. Also the gunwales, there is a space for two bodys on either side.<br /><br />As for the head. They are building heads into the consoles of most 23'+ C/C. but thats getting to be alot of boat for a first-time boatowner.
 
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RatFish

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 29, 2003
Messages
647
Re: Walkaround's or Center Console?

Thanks KCook!<br /><br />newtoboatsman,<br /><br />I'm in a similar situation but occasionally I will have to accommodate at least 2 adults and 4 kids (ages 4 to 11). Yikes! I'm also limited in boat size because my tow vehicle is rated at 5000#. I want to keep the dry weight of the boat, motor and trailer at 3500# or less. I also won't be in the market to buy for at least another 9 months. I've been "kicking tires" for some time now.<br /><br />Here are a few things to consider... <br /><br />1) No mass produced boat will exactly fit all of your or my needs. <br />2) Get together with your first mate (One of the girls I assume?) and each make a list of what is important to you all. Rank each list from most important to least important.<br />3) Get a boat that accommodates the most important item on each list. (For me, it is comfortable seating for 6. For my wife, it is a potti.) Be ready to compromise on the rest of the items on your lists.<br />4) Do your homework on the various makes and models. Possible sources of information are Online, Marinas, Dealers, Owners, etc. <br />5) Buy a late model used boat. A used boat will give you the best bang for the buck!<br />6) Be very patient. Don't settle. Especially don't under power.<br />7) Reread this thread and the "Need help with finding first powerboat..." thread. (Lots of good ideas and suggestions.)<br /><br />We do not know what is most important to you (Back to that darn list!). We can only suggest, based on our priorities, what works best for each of us. Your list of priorities will determine your ultimate decision on which type of boat you will buy. Good Luck.<br /><br />BTW, I'm leaning towards a Dual Console.
 
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93bronco

Ensign
Joined
Nov 11, 2001
Messages
962
Re: Walkaround's or Center Console?

what ever boat you get- it is great to have a porta potti.<br />-<br />the W/A are good but it is a pain to get up front to deal with anchor. but storage is great.<br />-<br />CC is better easy to get to everything.<br />-<br />DC is great if you get the port console pp/changing room.<br />seaswirl has a nice one.<br />-<br />it is very nice to have a self bailing cockpit.<br />so when it rains you dont have to worry about bilge pump as much.<br />-<br />my 1802 trophy W/A drains rite into bilge.<br />but that is why it is classified as a inshore/bay boat.<br />i looked at a 26ft triton w/a, and it also drains everything into the bilge, but it has 2 1700 giant bilge pumps.<br />-<br />i was suprized to sea some of the boats with self bailing cockpits to have the sculpter rite at or just below the water line.<br />sales rep told me when the boat planes out - the water drains.<br />well thats really no good if it rains and the boat motor fails to start, that water has no place to go with out the boat moving.<br />just a thought.
 
C

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,420
Re: Walkaround's or Center Console?

I agree with most of the others advice. However I wanted to discuss cold or bad weather boating. I fish into December here in the Northeast. I have a bowrider (roughly equiv to a dual console), and it affords much more protection from the cold wind than a CC will. It is also easier to anchor than a WA and in nice weather, has more space for fishing than a WA.<br /><br />I am planning to get a larger boat (24-27 footer) in the near future, and am in the stages of deciding what to buy. I was looking for a non-WA cuddy cabin, and I would install an anchor windless. These kind of boats have not been built in mass quanities is some years (since WA and CC were invented?). I guess I am now leaning toward a DC, if I can find one that large.
 
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jeff_nicholas

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 2, 2002
Messages
174
Re: Walkaround's or Center Console?

For offshore stuff, self bailing or cuddy could be very important. Self bailing can mean less freeboard or less room in the boat. With good freeboard you can anchor/swing from the stern.<br /><br />I'm partial to the cuddy because we ended up spending quite a few nights aboard...couldn't live without the porta-pottie.
 
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