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| I have a single console and do not know if I should get the dual when I upgrade to my next boat, either the Fish Hawk 1850 or Muskie edition?
I am concerned about the fishing space for other people. I find more room in my 16 footer and see a dual taking up more room in an 18 plus footer?
What are your favorite layouts? |
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| The only thing a dual counsol provides is a drier ride for the passenger in big waves. Other than that it just takes up space. If you find yourself on big rough water alot, it may be an option, otherwise don't get one.[:)] |
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| I agree with Todd. Unless absolutely necessary I'd stay with the single. |
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| A second console also provides the passenger with a wind break during long, cold rides. Without it, there is lots of standing space that feels better in rough water since it is recessed. Try both and decide what your needs are. m[:bigsmile:] |
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| A couple questions to ask yourself:
1. How late/early in the season do you fish?
2. Do you fish alone most of the time or with other people?
3. Is it a "family boat?"
4. What sizes of water do you normally fish?
I run a windshield on a 21' glass boat and all I can say (and many people will vouch for this) is it's DARN nice to be out of the weather! On the Iowa Muskiefirst outing everyone who was running around in their open aluminum boats on Sat and Sun were cold and wet. Teck and I were nuking across the lake @ 60mph snug as a bug in a rug [:bigsmile:] . You won't need the windshield MOST of the time, but the times you do you'll sure want one! |
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| A windshield will help on windy days, wet days, evening drives ( bugs ), cold drives, big waves, big wakes ect ect.
Another thing not mentioned here about the full winshield is you can have a full top to keep you dryer in the rain/snow, cooler on those 100 degree days and warmer those late fall trolling runs.
As for losing all that room, the passenger's side console takes away a couple of square feet but you can store a tackle box or lunch box or both underneat it as well as having a rather large glove box where I keep ( long pants, shorts, sweater, rainproof hat, sun hat, extra reels, cutters, plyers,leader straightener, scissors, 3 pairs of sunglasses, emergency kit, spring scale, electronic scale, nailpolish, pen, sunscreen, toll kit, full set of maps for my river(4), box of kleenex, toilet paper, electrical tape, other odds and ends ) Then every time I get into the boat I put my cell phone and 3 or 4 books I carry in there too. I am sure I forgot some other stuff thats in there somewhere. LOL
I just don't think I lose that much space especialy in an 18+' boat. [:sun:] |
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| Interesting views.
I fish mainly alone. Will not be a family boat. When my son is a little older, then I will have a fishing partner.
Lakes typically fished are Tonka and smaller. I think of Tonka as a small lake, but it is not. Starting to fish larger lakes, Mille Lacs, Vermillion, Leech...
I have fished out of a few boats that has the full windshield. Very nice and dry. Lacked room from what I recall last year.
Will give it a second look this year.
Thanks for the replies!
CYA |
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| Tahoe...
My suggestion is to find someone to fish with and get a ride with that have each model boat your looking at.
I feel your frustration....I am debating the same question as I am going from a tiller to a consol or dual consol next season...
I have friends who like their single consols but I have a good friend with dual consol Ranger 617vs. That boat has more than enough room for two guys, tackle/gear, and netting fish, etc. And as a passenger I really appreciate the passenger consol...
I remember riding in several single consol boats at 50+mph and having to either sit backwards with my head "tucked" or having to hold my hat/hand in front of my eyes/face if I faced forward....
I even remember laying on the floor of one of my buddies single consol rigs while he brought us through a rain storm.... I'm here to tell ya a 40 year old man bouncing on the floor of a boat is quite the site...[:bigsmile:]
If you are working with a "service concious" dealer they should be happy to set you up with a ride in each style of boat.
Mark
Musky Adventures
Eau Claire, WI... |
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| Going glass can prevent some of the reasons of needing a full windshield. Glass boats are much drier then their aluminum counterparts. The shape of glass can not be duplicated by aluminum with the exception going to the new Tracker Tundra and Avalanch. I would also argue that Tonka IS a large lake in the respect that the wakes are bigger then most conditions you'll see on most big lakes!
Some models to look at that would be good for 1 guy and be easy to use would be Ranger 617 & 618, Tracker Avalanch & Tundra, Tuffy 1750, Warrior 1760 (I think that's the #). Bassboats are also a fun option, but do your research to see which ones perform well in rough water. I know that the Ranger 519 was designed for bigger water and is a bit deeper. Muskyone runs one and would be a good person to talk to. If your interested in any Tracker, Procraft, Fisher, or Nitro boats let me know as one of my best friends is the area rep and would be happy to talk to you and get you set up (and maybe see what he can find for a non-current!)
Good luck in your search. |
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| Treats, where can I call your friend? Like to talk to him....
Have him drop me an email!
CYA |
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| Wow treats we fish out of aluminum because of the dryer ride, I remember late late last fall fishing with a friend in his 620 as we were trolling in tiny 2-3 foot waves and the boat was filling up.
We break ice to fish here at years end so we don't want to get wet at 3 mph or 50 mph. |
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| My preference is for a walk through windshield. I want to be able to put up the top and side curtains when trolling early or late in the season when it's cold and raining. I don't mind being cold and I don't mind being wet but I hate being cold & wet. |
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| Trophy I have a 620 and fish Lake Erie, Lake Michigan and other big water areas. Never have I taken water in my boat with waves less than 3 to 4 footers. How much gas did he have in the boat at the time. If he fill the tank it will have 50 gallons of fuel under the floor and then I could see some problems with big waves. I do like a duel console because of the comfort and storage. I put everything in my glove box and the space used up is very little. If you buy a boat under 18 foot then I would weigh the pros and cons. Anything bigger its a no brainer. Comfort is the key to long hours on the water. Time on the water is the key to a better fishermen. If your ever in the neighborhood I will take you out for a test ride. Or talk to Greg M he was just out in my boat a few weeks ago for a test ride.[;)] |
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| TM,
Can't comment on trolling in certain boat models. I do know that in mine you may get a little spray trolling if you point the boat in a certain direction while trolling slow (3mph) and a high wind. Trolling in those conditions constite about .5% of my fishing time. When I'm trolling it's over 4mph.
One thing to look at when comparing ride quality and spray factor it look at the speed your going. It's funny how someone will come in my boat and say it's not as smooth as their boat only to find out we're going 15mph faster then their boat can go! |
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| Thats the thing treats, I troll all of November at slower speeds. My boat only does 40MPH but I can go full speed in a 3' chop as well and stay dry. The only time water spray comes into my boat is when we have a side wind and then I use my side curtons late in the fall. [:p]
I shopped an awfull long time to get the perfect boat for me and everyone should do the same. [;)] |
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| Lots of great info here for anyone looking to get a new rig. I run a 519 Ranger and it is just about the best boat I have ever been in. Remember, of course that I do not troll therefore I don't get the slow trolling spray as talked about. I believe that all Bass boat designs will get some of this. The boat I currently have is a single console and I love it. However if I could put another console in I would. I fish late into the year, this year we have a tourney at Minocqua the 2nd weekend of October. Can get to be a very cold ride for your partner. My last two boats were dual console rigs and the glovebox space you get for all those little items is unbelievable. Can put a pair of gloves, windshirt, longjohns, as well as lots of small tackle items in there. If you can afford an 18 to 20 footer go with dual console. Your partner will love you for it.[:sun:] |
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| M1, If you were a curtious partner you'd leave a motorcycle helmet in the boat for your partner [;)] . Actually that's what the guys down south do.
Tahoe, I told my buddy about you and he said he sent you an email. Let me know if you've received it.
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| Trophy - You never mentioned what boat you have?
I think many are right here..anything less than 18 footer is a no brainer for dual console.
Now, Is it dual or full windshield?
I remember my buddy a few months having to lay down due to the rain and wind. I'd rather not see that again! |
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| Go with the single!
Or better yet a tiller! |
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| Single, who cares about the other guy!!![:p]
If you use the boat by yourself alot a single is a must, because you get SO MUCH more room.
Dual consoles eat up lots of room, no matter what boat you get. I have fished in Rangers, Tuffys, Lunds and Crestliners and all the dual consoles cut half the room out of the boat.[;)] |
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| I have a dual console walktrough windshield and would not trade it for anything,I am 21' long however,I agree with under 18 you have to think single or tiller to conserve room.! I can easily fish 4 guy's out of my boat.Believe me in a rainstorm,sleet ,or try hail at 40mph there is only one choice.I f you do any early or late in the year fishing when water and air temps are way down regardless of waves you'll thank god you have that windshield ,and so will whoever is fishing with you ...ARTIE |
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| I'm a tiller guy at heart, but have enjoyed the few occasions that I've been lucky enough to be a passenger in a dual console in bad conditions. From my experience the single console gets the passenger just as wet and as cold as a tiller.
Go for a few rides in the models you are interested in. It comes down to personal preference. |
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