BassCats Posted June 11, 2015 Posted June 11, 2015 I have a bad back and riding in a regular bass boat hurts anytime I hit waves. I have ridden in a few center consoles and think that is the better way to go. Anyone here fish out of a center console or have advice on this? About time to invest in a boat again now that I have had a job for 2 years again. Quote
Capt.Bob Posted June 12, 2015 Posted June 12, 2015 The center console is in my opinion a much more versatile boat, but a bass boat when setup properly, and driven properly in rough water should be as comfortable. Most bass boats have the console near center of the boat also, but most center consoles are much deeper and heavier than the standard bass boat. The console being set farther to the rear in these boats are the primary reason for the smoother ride all else being equal. Quote
Super User Fishes in trees Posted June 12, 2015 Super User Posted June 12, 2015 A few years ago, BPS marketed a center console bass boat in their Nitro series. Prior to that, in the late 80's-early 90's Skeeter marketed a center console bass boat. I have a buddy who has a center console Gambler, he got it second hand, but that boat is at least 18 years old. The reason that there are so few center console bass boats is that they don't sell very well. My buddy's Gambler, which is a very fast boat and fishes extremely well, doesn't have the readily accessible storage that comparable 20 foot dual console boats have. The boating industry is loaded with examples like that, i.e. great ideas, that for some reason, didn't take off. Generally the reason was cost, i.e. they couldn't sell enough of them to make the manufacture of them cost efficient. Quote
zachb34 Posted June 12, 2015 Posted June 12, 2015 Center consoles here are very popular. People take them in all kinds of freshwater and then inshore also. I would look into a nice flats boat ot skiff. Quote
Ski213 Posted June 13, 2015 Posted June 13, 2015 I've never fished a center console for bass on inland lakes but one disadvantage I could see is not standing as high in relation to the top of the boat. Prob depends a lot on the particular boat though. A lot of that stuff is just personal preference. If you've fished center console in the conditions that you typically fish and had no big issue with it other than it not bothering your back as much then I'd run with the center console for sure. I'd agree with what was said before about them being more versatile. If I lived closer to the coast that's what would be in the driveway. Quote
Al Wolbach Posted June 13, 2015 Posted June 13, 2015 I've never fished a center console for bass on inland lakes but one disadvantage I could see is not standing as high in relation to the top of the boat. Prob depends a lot on the particular boat though. A lot of that stuff is just personal preference. If you've fished center console in the conditions that you typically fish and had no big issue with it other than it not bothering your back as much then I'd run with the center console for sure. I'd agree with what was said before about them being more versatile. If I lived closer to the coast that's what would be in the driveway. I agree. If I lived closer to the coast I would have one also. Other than the height issue I would say dry storage would be the biggest concern. I saw a couple at BPS last night, Mako was the brand name I believe. If storage and the height are not an issue then I would say go for it. There are boats that handle rough water pretty well you may want to consider as well, such as the multi species boats. I see you are from Texas. If you live near salt water you may want to use it in the salt some day. Something to consider. Typical bass boats do not like saltwater as a rule. And many steel trailers do not either. Just food for thought.......Al Quote
breazy Posted June 13, 2015 Posted June 13, 2015 I've never fished a center console for bass on inland lakes but one disadvantage I could see is not standing as high in relation to the top of the boat. Prob depends a lot on the particular boat though. A lot of that stuff is just personal preference. If you've fished center console in the conditions that you typically fish and had no big issue with it other than it not bothering your back as much then I'd run with the center console for sure. I'd agree with what was said before about them being more versatile. If I lived closer to the coast that's what would be in the driveway. You just have to look for the right boat. For example.. http://features.boats.com/boat-content/2014/02/yellowfin-24-more-bait-more-casts-more-fish/ This boat is a 24 foot bay boat with center console and a giant casting deck similar to bass boats. I dont wanna see the price tag though. Quote
Ski213 Posted June 14, 2015 Posted June 14, 2015 You just have to look for the right boat. For example.. http://features.boats.com/boat-content/2014/02/yellowfin-24-more-bait-more-casts-more-fish/ This boat is a 24 foot bay boat with center console and a giant casting deck similar to bass boats. I dont wanna see the price tag though. That is a sweet looking boat. Looks like it has the storage and casting deck issues covered. Best I can determine one can be had used for $80-90k. Ouch. Nice dang boat nevertheless. Quote
tstone Posted June 14, 2015 Posted June 14, 2015 Yellowfin is a top tier boat, a bare bones 24 starts around $89k. Rigged like that one you're looking at $100k plus. That being said you don't have to spend that much to get into a nice bay boat that will ride better in slop than a bass boat. Champion, Skeeter, Triton and Ranger all make bay boats that have similar casting decks and storage to a bass boat. Others to check out would be Blue Wave, Nautic Star, Tidewater, and Pathfinder. I'm sure I'm forgetting a few. Nautic Star has a 21 ft that starts at under $30k and is a pretty nice setup Quote
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